Latest news with #KevinSweeney
Perth Now
12-08-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
'We're open', but tourists scared off by algal bloom
A devastating algal bloom is scaring tourists off but tourism operators say they are open for business as many companies are left thousands of dollars out of pocket. Tens of thousands of marine animals have been killed since an algal bloom was identified off the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia in March, and has since spread along some of the coastline. Kevin Sweeney owns Reel Screamer Fishing Charters that operates from Port Turton in the Yorke Peninsula, west of where the outbreak erupted. "I'm one of the busiest charter operators in the state but the phone isn't ringing," he told AAP. Mr Sweeney said he is one of the lucky ones to have a second income as a commercial fisherman. "A lot of the other businesses locally, they haven't got that luxury so it's devastating they just haven't got any income," he said. There is no sign of the algal bloom in the water where Mr Sweeney operates but business has plummeted over two months when he is normally booked out until Easter. Business is picking up again but he blames the lull on the bad publicity of the algal bloom that has been misinterpreted as affecting the entire South Australian coastline. "The negativity in social media is the big killer at the moment stopping tourism," he said. Mr Sweeney is concerned the algal bloom may spread to his side of the peninsula by summer but in the meantime, he wants to issue a clear message: he is open for business. "Our waterways are quite healthy at the moment." Tourism Industry Council of South Australia reported nearly 100 other businesses - including tour operators, accommodation and retail - have experienced a loss of income as a result of the bloom. "The businesses are not impacted by the algal bloom at all ... but the perception is the coastline is impacted," chief executive Shaun de Bruyn said. A recent survey by the tourism body showed a 40 per cent downturn in business conditions compared to the same period last year, with an average financial loss of $52,000. Some businesses have already reported cancellations for the upcoming summer and many have been forced to shut up operations while tourism plummets. Mr de Bruyn said the body has received reports that most of those cancelling trips are South Australians as opposed to interstate travellers. "There isn't as much publicity interstate and overseas as to what is happening with the algal bloom," he said. The state and federal governments recently announced a $28 million package to support affected businesses, undertake more research and clean up the beaches where thousands of dead marine animals have washed up. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed he will visit impacted areas next week, promising to deal with long-term climate change impacts. "This isn't something that's the fault of any government, it's something that is a consequence of those nutrients and those high water temperatures which are there," he told ABC News. Environment Minister Murray Watt on Monday issued an apology to South Australians who felt the government's response was too slow.
CBC
17-05-2025
- CBC
Yukon appeal court dismisses case of Whitehorse man who exploited teen girl for months
The Yukon Court of Appeal has dismissed the case of a Whitehorse man who sexually exploited a teen girl from a rural community who was staying in his home so she could attend high school. While Kevin Sweeney argued his conviction was flawed, Justice Faiyaz Alibhai, supported by Chief Justice Leonard Marchand and Justice Barbara Fisher, ruled Friday that there was no merit to his grounds of appeal. Sweeney is serving a decade-long prison sentence after a Yukon Supreme Court judge, following a trial, convicted him in 2023 of nine charges including sexual assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, and obtaining sexual services from someone under the age of 18. The victim was an Indigenous teenager from rural Yukon community who had travelled to Whitehorse to attend high school in 2018. Sweeney offered her housing but over the 10 months she lived in his home, he physically and sexually assaulted her. He also took advantage of her crack cocaine addiction, giving her the drug in exchange for sex. Sweeney had denied harming the victim in any way. On appeal, Sweeney's lawyer argued the trial judge did not properly assess the victim and Sweeney's credibility, which the case hinged on, and that she unfairly applied a different level of scrutiny to the victim compared to witnesses called by the defence. Alibhai, in his decision, said those arguments had no merit, and that the trial judge, in finding Sweeney guilty, properly explained her reasoning for how she reached her conclusions. He described Sweeney's arguments as attempts to "re-litigate" findings of fact made by the trial judge while not identifying any errors in her methodological approach or reasoning, and dismissed the appeal.
CBS News
22-04-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Michigan State Police working with FEMA on Northern Michigan ice storm damage surveys
The Michigan State Police, along with its Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, are assisting local and federal officials in the Northern Michigan ice storm damage surveys. The ice storm took place from March 28-30. Widespread power outages lasted for days, with numerous roads impassable and in some cases cellular phone service disrupted. MSP's division will team up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and local officials this week to work on the damage assessments, according to the press release issued Tuesday. The goal is to prepare documentations and reports in support of federal disaster assistance for individuals, businesses and communities. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has asked federal officials to allow the state until May 29 for completing the formal application for a major disaster declaration. The survey schedule for April 22-25 calls for evaluating the impact to homes and businesses; and for April 28-May 2 evaluating the damage to public infrastructure along with response costs. The teams will work in the counties that were already included in a state emergency declaration: specifically, Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle. "This next step in the recovery process is about doing everything we can to help residents, businesses, and communities get the assistance they need," said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. The State of Michigan has compiled announcements and resources on the 2025 Northern Michigan ice storm page . A bill has been introduced in the Michigan House to exempt schools in the ice storm region from makeup days that would otherwise be required this school year. One of the power companies serving Northern Michigan asked for an "act of God" exemption on a state law that requires billing credits to residents for their extended days without power. A request has been made for a presidential emergency declaration for the affected counties. Steps are in the works to prepare a formal application for a major disaster declaration from federal officials. U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens has introduced federal legislation under the title "Prolonged Power Outage Relief Act," seeking a path to low-interest loans for residents or businesses dealing with extended power outages.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New Jersey's Hispanic community mourns loss of Pope Francis
NEW JERSEY (PIX11) — The Hispanic community is mourning the loss of the first pope from Latin America. 'They can see themselves in him,' said Bishop Kevin Sweeney of the Paterson Diocese. 'He was a little boy who grew up in Argentina, of immigrant parents himself. His parents were immigrants from Italy. He understands us, the immigrant church, and the Latino church. He represents us so beautifully.' More Local News 'Everybody is sad,' said Able Santos of Wayne. 'A lot of people are sad.' 'I just remember him being the first Jesuit pope from Argentina,' said George Rodriguez, who attended a midday mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson. 'I'll just remember him as a humble man.' Monsignor Geno Sylva, also of the Paterson Diocese, had the rare opportunity to work with Pope Francis on the Jubilee of Mercy, and said he watched as the Pope made time for a young girl in despair, pushing back his schedule with dignitaries and world leaders to tend to someone more vulnerable. 'She said, my brother's dying of cancer, I have to speak to the Holy Father,' recalls Msgr. Sylva, who said he then asked Pope Francis if he had time to meet with the girl. 'The Holy Father sits with this 12-year-old girl as if she's the Queen of England, for twenty minutes. And at the end, her tears of sadness were tears of joy.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Out-of-state support mobilized to help northern Michigan ice storm recovery
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan will receive out-of-state support from the Indiana Department of Transport () after an ice storm devastated northern lower Michigan two weeks ago. Michigan State Police () say the support was secured via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (). This is the first time the state has requested this type of support. The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division () is working alongside the Michigan Department of Transportation () to bring in four debris removal teams from . MSP says each team consists of nine personnel and will assist in clearing downed trees and other debris from critical roadways. 'This unprecedented EMAC request underscores the scope of the damage and the urgency of returning impacted communities to safe, functioning conditions,' said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director and commander of the MSP/EMHSD, in a news release sent to 6 News. INDOT crews are scheduled to arrive today and stay for seven days. MDOT has already deployed maintenance workers and equipment from operations facilities in Kalkaska, Atlanta, Hillman, and Mio in the northern Lower Peninsula, as well as from facilities in the Upper Peninsula and across the central and southern Lower Peninsula. 'Those dedicated men and women have made amazing progress in the recovery operations following the ice storm that struck this area two weeks ago, but we're so grateful for the additional assistance from our partners at INDOT to help accelerate the process,' said MDOT North Region Associate Region Engineer for Operations Bill Wahl in a news release sent to 6 News. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
