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North Wales Live
21-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
BBQ ban at iconic North Wales beach where people are 'worried sick'
BBQs and camp fires have been formally banned at one of Wales' most popular beaches. It follows 15 fire-related incidents at tree-lined Traeth Llandwyn, Anglesey, over the weekend. The iconic beach is backed by 2,500-acre Newborough Forest, currently tinder-dry after weeks of dry weather. Fearing the forest's destruction, and impacts on nearby homes, worried residents in the nearby village of Newborough have long campaigned for greater fire curbs. Camp fires are already banned but this is routinely ignored. A BBQ area is provided in the beach car park but, concerned this sends out the wrong message, the facility is to be removed in the coming weeks and replaced with a picnic area. Local people have shared photos of 'near-miss' fires that threatened to consume the entire forest. The 'idiotic' binning of still-smouldering disposable BBQs has also been highlighted. Last month, resident Cathy Sands told North Wales Live: 'Everyone is massively concerned. If the forest burns, so will crops in the fields and then our homes. It worries me sick, it really does.' The forest and beach, a National Nature Reserve, is managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). In recent weeks, in response to calls from alarmed locals, its wardens have been actively discouraging illegal camping and BBQs. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now But last weekend was the final straw. Over the two days, wardens worked late into the evenings, dealing with 15 fires and BBQs and ensuring they were extinguished. They also spent 'hours' speaking with campers, explaining why overnight stays and open flames are not allowed. Online, the wardens said: 'Thankfully most people responded positively and packed up when reminded of the rules.' However the ongoing threat has now forced NRW to introduce changes making Newborough Forest and its beach an officially a fire-free area. Justin Hanson, NRW's north west team leader, said: 'Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest is a much-loved and ecologically important site. We're listening to local concerns and doing all we can to minimise risks. 'With warm, dry weather increasing the risk of wildfire, we're asking everyone to respect the rules and help protect what makes this place so special. Visitors are reminded to take litter home, leave no trace, bring a picnic and never light fires or BBQs – especially during dry spells. Local signage and fire warnings should always be followed.' As well as threatening homes and the countrywide, fire is a risk to the area's rare wildlife. Newborough's beach, forest and dunes are home to species like the red squirrel, great crested newt and the sand lizard. Online, NRW added: 'It's vital we keep this place safe for them and for future generations to enjoy.' Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Barbecues and fires banned at famous Welsh beach side beauty spot
Barbecues and fires banned at famous Welsh beach side beauty spot Natural Resources Wales have introduced the ban at the request of locals following 15 fire-related incidents Last month an out-of-control campsite fire spread to surrounding vegetation in Newborough Forest (Image: Llanddwyn & Forest Support Group ) Barbecues and fires will be completely banned at a beachside Welsh beauty spot. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is supporting a request from the local community by introducing the ban at Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest, which borders the iconic Traeth Llanddwyn (beach). It follows 15 fire-related incidents, including the use of barbecues, which were dealt with by NRW officers last weekend. The ban aims to reduce the risk of wildfires and applies to all areas within the Anglesey-based reserve – including car parks and all land managed by NRW. The designated barbecue area in the car park will be removed over the coming weeks and converted into a picnic-only space, NRW said. Open fires and overnight camping remain strictly prohibited. An NRW spokesman said: "We want people to enjoy the site safely and encourage visitors to come for the day and bring a picnic. "Many wildfires in Wales are started accidentally by people enjoying the countryside. Article continues below Fires being lit at Traeth Llanddwyn earlier this year, posing a threat to the adjacent Newborough Forest (Image: Llanddwyn & Forest Support Group ) "Discarded cigarettes, glass bottles, and unauthorised BBQs can all spark blazes that put local communities at risk, and cause lasting damage to habitats and wildlife." Justin Hanson, North West People and Places Team Leader for NRW, said: 'Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest is a much-loved and ecologically important site. "We're listening to local concerns and doing all we can to minimise risks. 'With warm, dry weather increasing the risk of wildfire, we're asking everyone to respect the rules and help protect what makes this place so special. Article continues below 'Visitors are reminded to take litter home, leave no trace, bring a picnic and never light fires or BBQs – especially during dry spells. Local signage and fire warnings should always be followed.' Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here .
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Yahoo
Wisconsin man gets 15 months in prison for role in healthcare kickback scheme
(WFRV) – U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad for the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that a Wisconsin man was sentenced to 15 months in prison for violating the 'Anti-Kickback Statute.' According to a release, Mohammed Kazim Ali paid healthcare kickbacks and must pay over $2 million in restitution to Medicaid and Medicare along with a $75,000 fine. Wisconsin State trooper rescues bald eagle hit by a vehicle Ali and co-defendant Justin Hanson owned a Milwaukee-area lab named 'Noah Associates.' Starting in 2017, the two of them engaged in a three-year-long scheme to pay kickbacks to a Milwaukee substance use treatment clinic owner in exchange for referrals of Medicaid and Medicare patients for urine drug tests by Noah Associates. The duo paid over $400,000 in kickbacks for the tests, which weren't ordered by a physician nor medically needed for any treatments. One physician learned that the credentials were being used without authorization and urged Ali to stop. Ali continued to accept and bill the government for these falsely ordered tests for several months. As a result, Noah Associates received over $2.2 million for the tests courtesy of Medicaid and Medicare, while Ali took in over $800,000 from this scheme. In addition to the prison time, Ali is excluded from Medicaid and Medicare participation and his Noah Associates was shut down. Co-defendant Justin Hanson also pled guilty and will be sentenced on March 21. 25-year sentence for Fond du Lac man in fentanyl overdose death For more information on the Anti-Kickback Statute, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website. No more details are available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
