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North Wales Live
3 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Four vans ripped open like tin cans all parked in 'last place you would expect'
Skilled workers and their families were left devastated when thieves carried out an astonishing series of brazen raids in broad daylight. Thousands of pounds worth of tools were taken from four vans parked up at two golf clubs in northeast Wales. Pictures show the thieves drilled out locks to gain entry. In at least one case, a hole was ripped in the side of a van as if a giant tin opener had been used. North Wales Police is investigating the break-ins and has appealed for witnesses and video evidence. Three raids were reported at Wrexham Golf Club and another a short while later at Vale of Llangollen Golf Club on Saturday, May 31. At Llangollen's car park, joiner Jason Jones returned from a round of golf to find two holes in his Ford Transit and its contents missing. He estimated 23 cordless tools, mostly expensive Makitas worth around £3,000, were stolen. Now lacking his van and tools, all planned work has been rescheduled, leaving him and his business, Marson Joinery, further out of pocket. 'So bloody angry,' said his partner online. 'Can't believe nobody saw this happening. I hope whoever did this is so proud of themselves, you are an absolute disgrace.' CCTV footage from the club has been handed over to the police. The theft is thought to have happened between 1.20pm-1.45pm. Jason, from Wrexham, said: 'I really appreciate the way Llangollen Golf Club efficiently dealt with the situation once they had been made aware.' It was a similar scenario at Wrexham Golf Club car park where three van owners were also left distraught the same day. One estimate put the combined haul here at £10,000. Again, it's thought high-value cordless tools were targeted before the thieves moved on to Llangollen. One victim didn't discover the theft until he returned to his van at 5.30pm. All his battery powered tools were removed. Online, his partner said: 'We are fuming. Absolutely gutted! How the hell is he meant to work with no tools?' Online photos of another van targeted at Wrexham shows a series of holes drilled to gain entry. It's estimated the Ford Transit custom van was broken into between 12.10pm-12.45pm. Again, multiple tools were stolen, including brands such as Makita and Milwaukee, along with Megger testers for assessing insulation resistance. On social media, a woman said the losses ran into 'thousands and thousands of pounds'. She fumed: 'These are people who know what they are doing. They drilled holes into the lock to gain access. This is the lads' livelihoods. They work hard and don't deserve this. 'The cost and implications of repairing the van alone is awful. What is wrong with people? Disgusting.' Wrexham Golf Club said it was horrified by the raids, which took place at a tree-lined car park next to the clubhouse on what was a busy competition day. A spokesperson said: 'It's very disappointing - we're all in a state of shock about what happened. This is the last place you would expect something like this to happen. 'We have CCTV and the police have taken what they need. They've been very helpful and their enquiries are ongoing. The course was very busy at the time - a competition was being held and there were a lot of people here. 'We've done our best to warn everyone. We've also contacted other golf clubs not yet targeted so they can contact their tradespeople.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox North Wales Police said its officers are investigating the thefts of 'several tools of high value' from four vans parked up at the two golf clubs early on Saturday afternoon, May 31. A spokesperson said: 'Investigations into these incidents are ongoing. We would appeal for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity at these locations, or who may have any CCTV or dashcam footage of the golf club car parks over the weekend, to contact the police.' Reports can be made by calling 101 or via the force's online chat service. For the Llangollen theft, callers should quote reference 25000447612. For the Wrexham thefts, the reference is 25000447199. North Wales Police has published crime prevention advice for securing vehicles whilst not in use. This can be found here.
Business Journals
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Designed to perform, built to last: Concrete masonry delivers for Louisville
In a city like Louisville — where tradition meets transformation — smart building decisions matter more than ever. Whether you're designing a public school in the Highlands, developing a mixed-use space in NuLu or engineering health care facilities for growth across the greater Louisville area, you need materials that work hard, perform well and hold their value over time. Concrete masonry units (CMU) deliver on all three fronts. It's a building solution trusted for its strength, longevity and versatility. But beyond the basics, it also offers distinct advantages in resiliency, structural performance and energy efficiency. If you're an architect, engineer or developer looking to balance performance, cost and code compliance, here's why concrete masonry continues to be one of the smartest materials on the market. Resiliency and durability: Ready for anything Buildings in the Louisville area face a full range of environmental stressors: high humidity, freeze-thaw cycles, heavy rains, high winds and the occasional seismic event. Concrete masonry's structural integrity makes it exceptionally resilient, helping reduce risk and protect occupants. It also ultimately saves money. The National Institute of Building Sciences estimates that for every $1 invested in disaster resilience, $6 is saved in long-term costs. But its benefits extend well beyond weather resistance. Take, for example, the high-demand needs for buildings in industrial settings like Kentucky's distilleries. Buzick Construction, a firm specializing in design-builds for distillery projects, frequently relies on concrete masonry for its superior strength and durability. One of their latest achievements is the design and construction of a groundbreaking 110,000-square-foot production facility for Whiskey House of Kentucky, which incorporated more than 90,000 concrete block. Jason Jones, construction manager for the project, said that although they choose concrete masonry for its structural strength, it also provides the kind of durable interiors essential for high-functioning industrial spaces. 'In distilleries you often have piping mounted to walls and heavy traffic like forklifts. Concrete block is a durable material and takes the abuse of a working distillery.' But one of the biggest reasons Buzick Construction uses CMU in its distillery builds is its fire performance. Jones believes that it's a great fire barrier — better than any wall assembly he's worked with. Fire and acoustic performance: Quiet, safe and code-ready CMU walls offer high fire ratings — typically two to four hours depending on configuration — and require no additional fireproofing treatments. They're inherently non-combustible, making them ideal for facilities where flammable materials or high-heat processes are present. Whether the project is a distillery, mixed-use development, health care center or production facility, concrete masonry consistently delivers on fire safety. In addition to its fire-resistant properties, its density also contributes to superior acoustic separation, minimizing sound transmission between spaces and enhancing the overall environment — from tasting rooms to office settings. Energy efficiency: Passive performance built into every wall Designing for energy performance in Kentucky means accounting for both hot, humid summers and cold, damp winters. Concrete masonry's thermal mass helps buffer indoor spaces from outdoor extremes — absorbing heat during the day and releasing it gradually at night. This inherent thermal lag supports passive temperature regulation, reduces HVAC loads and contributes to better energy performance metrics. Whether you're meeting International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) compliance, pursuing LEED points or targeting operational savings for long-term ownership, CMU systems help you get there efficiently. Engineers can optimize wall assemblies with insulation inserts or integrated systems to increase R-values up to R-10 or higher, while architects benefit from design flexibility in finishes, textures and patterns. The result is a wall system that delivers structure, aesthetics and thermal performance — all in one. A smart investment for Kentucky's built environment Whether you're designing with longevity in mind, planning for lifecycle cost savings or developing with code compliance and durability targets, concrete masonry makes sense — especially in Louisville's evolving built environment. It's strong, versatile, regionally produced and performance-driven. And it's trusted by generations of Kentucky builders for a reason: It works. From the working walls of distilleries in Elizabethtown to the classrooms, clinics and civic spaces across the Commonwealth, concrete masonry continues to be a material that delivers — project after project. Get free project support Interested in seeing how your next project can benefit from concrete masonry? The Block Design Collective offers free project support to architects, engineers and developers. The Concrete Masonry Checkoff is an industry-funded program driving innovation, education, and market growth for concrete masonry. It powers the Beauty of Block campaign, promoting the aesthetic, structural, and sustainable advantages of masonry to architects and developers, reinforcing its value in resilient, high-performance, and design-forward construction. Tino Kalayil is the technical director of the Central Region for the Concrete Masonry Checkoff's Block Design Collective. In his role, he leads a team of design experts dedicated to supporting architects and engineers with tailored solutions.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Prisoner sentenced for attacking officers
A man jailed for stabbing two brothers in the neck has been sentenced for attacking prison officers. Jason Jones, 41, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years after he attacked two men and injured a third at The Fox pub in Burwell, Cambridgeshire, in 2021. The three victims suffered life-threatening injuries, and he was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court after admitting three counts of attempted murder. At Cambridge Crown Court on Friday, Jones – who is serving his sentence at HMP Frankland in County Durham – was sentenced to an additional three years and nine months in prison for potting (throwing faeces or urine at a person) and a Section 18 offence against two prison officers. A Section 18 offence involves wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Man jailed for life for attack on three men in pub HM Courts & Tribunals Service
The Guardian
04-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Activist takes case over Trinidad's homophobic laws to UK's privy council
The privy council in London will soon be called upon to make the final decision on a court case to remove homophobic laws in Trinidad and Tobago. The laws were repealed in 2018 in a high court judgment that struck from the statute book the 'buggery law' that had criminalised consensual anal sex since an act passed in 1925 under British rule. However, last week Trinidad's supreme court upheld a government appeal against the ruling and recriminalised the act, dealing a hammer blow to LGBTQ+ rights in the Caribbean country and prompting the UK Foreign Office to update its advice for LGBTQ+ travellers. The 2018 case was brought by Jason Jones, an LGBTQ+ activist. This week he said he would continue the fight before the privy council – Trinidad's final court of appeal. Central to his argument will be the controversial 'savings clause', which former British empire jurisdictions such as Trinidad can revert to whenever a challenge is made to their constitution. 'This backwards step revolves around the savings clause, which was designed as an instrument for the smooth transition of power upon independence in 1962 to protect the laws we had for hundreds of years. That clause is now being used against democracy in our country,' said Jones. Jones argues that because Trinidad and Tobago altered its sexual offences legislation three times – in 1976 when it became a republic, in 1986, and in 2000 – the law can no longer be classified as 'saved'. 'These are Trinidadian laws,' he said. 'Parliament is hiding its homophobic bigotry behind an archaic clause that serves no useful purpose in a modern democratic country.' The mood among Trinidad's LGBTQ+ people is a far cry from their tears of joy on the steps of Port of Spain's Hall of Justice seven years ago. Back then, the judge Devindra Rampersad delivered a poetic ruling that swept away nearly a century of discrimination enshrined in law. 'This is a case about the dignity of the person, not the will of the majority or any religious view,' Rampersad said at the time. 'History has proven that the two do not always coincide.' For the law to be constitutional, he added, every Trinidadian must be free 'to make decisions as to whom he or she loves'. In contrast, the weighty 196-page report from which the appeal judge Nolan Bereux read in overturning Jones v AG was clinical, claiming, 'Judges cannot change the law. We give effect to parliament's intention. Buggery remains a crime in Trinidad and Tobago.' The judgment reverted to a familiar trope that the law is never actually enforced in practice. 'No one has been charged or punished … for engaging in consensual anal sex in the privacy of his or her home,' it said. But LGBTQ+ activists say enforcement is not the point. Jones's victory was achieved on the grounds that the law denied him his human rights and right to privacy. The cofounder of Pride TT, Kennedy Maraj, described last week's ruling as a devastating setback and a betrayal by the justice system. 'It tells LGBTQ+ individuals their very existence remains subject to legal scrutiny, that progress is fragile and that hard-won rights can be overturned,' Maraj said. Patrick Lee Loy came out to his family at 30. As one of few openly gay Trinidadian men, he said he felt 'shocked and angry that, as a community, we will not be free to express who we love'. Although Trinidad is notoriously hedonistic – its exuberance plain to see at carnival where hundreds of thousands of straight, gay, lesbian and trans Trinidadians parade the streets wearing next to nothing – the undercurrent of religious piety and even extremism that runs through its Catholic, Hindu, Anglican, Muslim and evangelical traditionalists heavily influences opinions on sexual freedom. Whether it is safe to be gay in Trinidad is a complex question – more so than in Jamaica, where the answer is an outright no. Away from the more liberal confines of the capital, there are many communities where to be gay puts you in danger. 'I know a few gay men who were murdered,' said Loy. 'The crimes were never solved. In one instance, the family did not push for an investigation in case it brought up too many ghosts. 'I have friends who only meet at their home. When we go out to a restaurant or bar, they will not come. They fear for their jobs, families and status. Now that people feel the government will not protect its citizens, some may feel it is easier to target us.' Jones's 2018 case triggered a wave of similar cases across the Commonwealth, including in India where homosexuality was decriminalised just months after Trinidad. A new progressive era appeared to have dawned in the global south. In Trinidad, however, the government immediately appealed against the decision – a move designed to reassure its religious, socially conservative electorate. Backlogs delayed the case, which has taken seven years to be heard by the country's highest court. The ruling echoed sentiments in a similar case thrown out by Jamaica's supreme court in 2023 that such matters were for parliament to decide. If the privy council rules in favour of Trinidad's government, Jones says it is time to leave the institution, which 'can no longer be of useful service if hamstrung by the savings clause'.
New York Times
25-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Washington Nationals City Connect uniforms, round two: What does our panel think?
The Washington Nationals, whose cherry blossom City Connect uniforms were No. 4 in The Athletic's rankings last season, announced their latest City Connect uniforms on Sunday. The new light blue uniform features an overlay of the city grid of Washington D.C., which the team calls an 'homage to the quadrants, grand avenues and even the traffic circles that connect us.' This year's edition, like its City Connext predecessor, features the District's famed cherry blossoms on the cap, as well as on the sleeve patch. The interlocking 'DC' on the chest — which was a part of the 2006-10 Nats uni — is stylized as a hat tip to the 1956 Washington Senators. Advertisement Washington's first attempt at a City Connect uniform — the gray and pink 'Cherry Blossoms' set — received much public acclaim, so creating its second version was always going be a bit of a tall task. When writers C. Trent Rosecrans, Stephen J. Nesbitt, Tyler Kepner and Jason Jones ranked the game's City Connects last year, all four had the Nationals in their top 10. How will the latest set fare? GO DEEPER MLB City Connect: All 29 uniforms ranked, from the so-so to the sublime C. Trent Rosecrans: As soon as the Nationals announced they were retiring the cherry blossom uniforms, it was clear they were likely in for a downgrade. That turned out to be true. But on its own, the new design is fine. It's probably still in the top half of the City Connect designs. Using the grid certainly connects the jersey to the city, so there's that. I also like that the cherry blossoms are still there and I think the cutout of the Capitol Dome inside the block 'W' gives the team one of its best looks. Aside from the near-perfect cherry blossom lid from the first edition, this new CC hat and its batting helmet and batting practice siblings are the best in the Nationals' wardrobe. Sure, having different designs for the hat, batting practice hat and the batting helmet is excessive, but all three are decent designs and better than any of the team's other looks. THE BLUEPRINT — Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 23, 2025 Jason Jones: A blueprint of D.C. is certainly going all in on the City Connect theme. If there had to be a change, I like going completely away from last season's look It's still a top-tier alternative to the usual Washington uniform, even though I'm partial to the script 'W' over this block version on the cap. That W in this color would be one of the best in baseball, especially if there were no cherry blossoms on it (just my preference). But the detail on the W of incorporating the Capitol Dome is nice, so I'd still add it to my collection. The blueprint under the brim is an excellent detail that helps this look stand out even more. Advertisement The uniform still has pink details to accent the cool shades of blue. I like this more than last year's and that was a solid look for the Nationals. It might even be top-5 for me by the time the other new uniforms are revealed. Stephen J. Nesbitt: An absolute travesty. The Nationals' previous City Connect set was a beauty. This uniform stinks out loud. That was my immediate reaction after seeing this photo. I raced to my computer and typed out: 'This is a travel-ball team uniform that parents (rightfully) groused about having to shell out $150 for. The interlocking DC looking like the Perfect Game logo really drives that prep vibe home. The city grid is already almost unrecognizable given the grainy design, and under the noon sun, it'll just be an indistinct jumble of similar hues. It's a bad All-Star Game uniform in light blue.' Then I looked at some more photos and my Big Feelings calmed down. The new cap is cool, and I like the numbers on the back of the jersey. There are far worse City Connects. But I still much prefer the previous version, and second tries should be held to a high standard. Tyler Kepner: They don't really look like the Nats, though I understand that's often the point of the City Connect series. This worked well with the previous City Connect set because of the stylish pink splash from the cherry blossoms, which sadly have a minimal presence now. I really like how the outline of the Capitol Dome wedges into the W on the cap, though I don't understand why there's a different W on the helmet. Turning the whole jersey into a map is something new for a uniform, as far as I know, and it works. I like the sleeve patch, and I'll give them points for using the interlocking DC logo instead of the awkward 'WSH.' But while I'm really glad they went with white pants (blue-over-blue, as we see with the Twins, is a bad look), it's going to take a while to think 'Nationals' instead of 'Royals' when I see this uniform. If they'd used the light blue as part of an Expos motif, I might feel different, but these jerseys honor DC, not Montreal. All in all, a middle-of-the-pack outfit for a middle-of-the-pack team. (All photos courtesy of the Washington Nationals)
