Latest news with #Heffron
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fans demand answers to brutal 'curse' as Souths rocked after $25 million move
South Sydney officials have previously denied the 'Heffron curse' is real but the club's latest injury nightmare has sparked fresh concerns from fans. The Rabbitohs moved from their traditional training base at Redfern Oval into the $25 million centre of excellence at Heffron Park in 2023, but it's coincided with a staggering injury toll that has only gotten worse heading into the NRL's Magic Round. Veteran Jack Wighton became the latest Rabbitohs star ruled out of Saturday's game against Newcastle at Suncorp Stadium with injury. Wighton was named at five-eighth on Tuesday but missed training with a calf injury on Wednesday and the club has revealed he's now set to be sidelined for at least the next four weeks. Wighton joins a mounting casualty ward at the Rabbitohs that also includes skipper Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys, Cam Murray and Alex Johnston. Superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell is also suspended for the Knights clash, with coach Wayne Bennett set to finally hand Lewis Dodd his first start in the halves after deciding to overlook the English recruit on numerous occasions. But it's the latest injury for Wighton that has left many Souths fans questioning what is going wrong at the club and whether it has something to do with their Heffron Park training headquarters or the club's high performance staff. Wighton's calf complaint comes after Walker was ruled out for five weeks with a calf injury, having also battled a hamstring issue and a calf strain in pre-season. Mitchell and Murray were also injured during pre-season training, with the latter ruled out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Tevita Tatola and Campbell Graham have also experienced injury concerns this season, leading many fans to call out the 'Heffron curse' since the club moved its new training complex. Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly already came out earlier in the season to deny the club's training facilities had anything to do with the staggering injury toll at the club, but the latest setbacks have left fans demanding answers. 'We actually got the playing surface checked by independent specialists three weeks ago, and it was perfect,' Souths CEO Solly said earlier this year. 'Some of the soft-tissue injuries we had last pre-season were not even at Heffron Park. They happened when we were training at Redfern before Christmas whilst Heffron was unavailable." Heffron Park jinx is real. The injuries have been insane since they left Redfern. — Brad Morgan (@BradMor54822174) April 30, 2025 Jack Wighton is set to miss a month of action with a calf injury sustained at training this week. It's likely UK recruit Lewis Dodd will get his first NRL start at halfback. The curse of Heffron Park continues to haunt the Rabbitohs. — The League Scene (@LeagueScenePod) May 1, 2025 Wighton out for 3-4 weeks with a calf injury. What is going on at Heffron Park? Dodd the last man standing, getting his opportunity now. #GoRabbitohs — Ben B (@Benb55) April 30, 2025 Old man injuries? Or Heffron Park injuries? That is the question. — Homer Wells 🇺🇦 (@gmnty) April 24, 2025 The injury setback for Wighton has left Souths coach Bennett with little choice but to start Dodd in the halves after using Humphreys, Walker, Jayden Sullivan, Mitchell, Wighton and even back-up fullback Jye Gray over the $650,000 English import previously. Dodd was expected to start the season in the No.7 jersey but suspension handed Humphreys his chance. And the young recruit from Manly took his chance until a hamstring injury sidelined him. Another suspension cost Dodd the chance to make his starting debut in the halves previously, but the former English Super League star is determined to make his latest opportunity count. "I didn't think it was going to be easy, I didn't think everything was going to go my own way," said Dodd, who has played two games from the bench so far. "I wouldn't have had it any other way. It's made me a better person and a better player at the end of the day and that's all I can ask for." Dodd won the 2021 Super League grand final and 2023 World Club Challenge during a five-year stint at St Helens but admits the NRL is on another level. "The game's obviously a bit different to back home in England, there's a lot more high percentage plays and just the ins and outs of the NRL, the week-to-week grind of it," he said. "I know I had to work on some things in my game and learn this competition. "That'll make me a better player. It's been a long time coming, it feels like, but (the waiting) will also be beneficial at the end of the day." Souths' mounting injury toll and Mitchell's suspension means Bennett is set to name Tatola as his fifth-choice captain for the clash against an out-of-sorts Newcastle side that is hoping to avoid a sixth-straight defeat. with AAP
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Schuylkill sculptor places 2nd in national veterans arts competition
LEBANON — A Schuylkill County artist was honored for his inspirational work recently at a ceremony in the Lebanon VA Medical Center. Martin Heffron, 54, placed second in the 2024 National Veterans Creative Arts Competition, a nationwide event conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The sculpture, entitled 'Adamantius Transpersonal Aspiration,' received a first place award at the regional level, entitling Heffron to compete nationally. He also received first place awards in woodworking, inspirational writing and watercolor painting at the regional level, which is the area covered by the Lebanon VA Medical Center. An abstract expressionist work forged from recycled cast iron, 'Adamantius Transpersonal Aspiration' depicts an eagle in flight or landing, depending on the viewer's perspective. 'The title translates to an attitude extending beyond the limits of hope to achieve something greater, Heffron said. 'I hope it inspires people to do more.' Martin Heffron's abstract sculpture won second place in the 2024 National Veterans Creative Arts Competition. (PHOTO COURTESY OF LEBANON VA MEDICAL CENTER) The VA uses creative arts as a form of rehabilitation to help veterans recover from physical and emotional trauma. Eligible veterans compete in creative arts, including sculpting, painting, dance and drama. Winners at the regional level are entered in the national competition. Doug Etter, chief communications officer, said the Lebanon VA is grateful to have such talented artists in its region. 'We are incredibly honored to recognize the veterans who have shared their artistic talent with us,' Etter said. 'Art can be a powerful tool for healing, self expression and connection.' A former U.S. Army military police officer and member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Heffron was commissioned to cast a bronze bust of four-Star Gen. George Joulwan, a Pottsville native who served as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. The bust is displayed near the Schuylkill County Historical Society in Pottsville. Martin Heffron, center, is with Navy veeteran Michael Roberson, left, and Marine Corps veteran Kevin Michaels at the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition awards at the Lebanon VA Health Center. (PHOTO COURTESY OF LEBANON VA MEDICAL CENTER) Heffron's inspirational art for veterans coincides with his religious art. His Baptism of Christ hangs in the sanctuary at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Pottsville. The Sacred Heart of Jesus, a wall-mounted relief, was dedicated at the Simon Kramer Cancer Institute in 2024. His depiction of the Life of Christ is in Polish National Church, Scranton. 'I am personally motivated by the life of Christ,' Heffron said at the dedication. 'I take a pretty deep interest in him.' Emily Schuler, creative arts specialist, runs the National Veterans Creative Arts program at the Lebanon VA Health Center. (PHOTO COURTESY OF LEBANON VA MEDICAL CENTER) Heffron, who began sculpting in his 20s, holds an associate's degree in fine arts from Keystone College in La Plume, Lackawanna County; and a bachelor's in fine arts from Alfred University in New York. In a converted barn at Stein's Mill, between Branchdale and Llewellyn, he works in a variety of mediums, including clay, wood and metal. A wooden replica of a Pottsville Maroons football, crafted by Heffron, is on display at the Schuylkill County Historical Society for the team's 100th anniversary. Heffron's Pennsylvania Anthracite Coal Miners Memorial in Forest City, which he says is the largest of its kind in the world, is dedicated to 'those who built our small town, labored and died in the anthracite industry.' The Century Association of New York City recently included Hefron's miniature watercolors in its 'Miniature Collection: 1942 to Present.'
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Yahoo
Wrong-way driver arrested on I-93 in Ashland
Feb. 14—A Meredith man is under arrest after State Police say he was driving the wrong way on Interstate 93 in Ashland on Wednesday night. At 9:35 p.m. on Wednesday, State Police dispatchers received multiple calls about a vehicle driving southbound in the northbound lanes of I-93 in Thornton. Troopers located the vehicle, a silver Toyota Corolla, travelling at a "high rate of speed south in the northbound lanes" in Ashland, state police said. Troopers farther south formed a rolling roadblock to stop traffic on the highway. The driver of the Toyota, identified as William Heffron Jr., 55, of Meredith, stopped in front of the roadblock and was taken into custody. According to State Police, Heffron showed signs of impairment during a roadside investigation. Police also determined Heffron was wanted on a warrant issued by Laconia police. Heffron was charged with nine counts of felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, aggravated DUI and reckless driving. He remains held on preventative detention at the Grafton County Department of Corrections. The case remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper David Carlson at 603-223-3787.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
Wrong-way driver arrested for aggravated DUI on I-93 in New Hampshire
A New Hampshire man is facing drunken driving and other charges after driving the wrong way on Interstate 93, state police said Friday. William Heffron Jr., 55, of Meredith, was arrested and charged with nine counts of felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, aggravated DUI and reckless driving, state police said. At 9:35 p.m. Wednesday, state police received multiple calls about a vehicle driving southbound in the northbound lanes of I-93 in Thornton. Troopers located a silver Toyota Corolla, driven by Heffron, who 'continued to travel at a high rate of speed south in the northbound lanes in Ashland,' state police said. To prevent additional danger to the public, troopers who were further south formed a rolling roadblock to stop traffic on the interstate. Heffron then stopped in front of the troopers, where he was taken into custody. A roadside investigation found Heffron showed signs of impairment. Investigators also learned that Heffron was wanted on a warrant issued by Laconia Police. Heffron remains held on preventative detention at the Grafton County Department of Corrections. Police from Ashland and Holderness assisted troopers at the scene. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper David Carlson at 603-223-3787. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
