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Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Iqaluit council considers 24-hour ‘hold' before euthanizing loose animals
The City of Iqaluit would be able to euthanize loose dogs and other animals 24 hours after picking them up if council approves proposed amendments to its animal control bylaw. There is currently a seven-day 'hold' period for impounded dogs, but changes to the 2022 Domestic Animal Control bylaw would shorten that to 24 hours, with some flexibility around holidays and weekends. Animals 'may be euthanized after a 24-hour hold period,' whether or not they are registered and licensed with the city, a proposed bylaw amendment says. Councillors passed the amendments through first and second reading during Tuesday's council meeting. They require one more vote at a future meeting before becoming law. The new provision points to making 'reasonable attempts to contact the owner' of an animal caught with a city-issued tag within that 24-hour period. It also states that the city may refuse to return an animal that has been caught more than twice. Another amendment to the bylaw states municipal enforcement officers would be able to 'seize, capture, impound or destroy any' animal caught running at large, unlicensed, or has chased, harassed or attempted to bite someone. Some new fines are added, including 'daily care and sustenance fee' of $30. There's also a dog impoundment fee of $150 after the first offence, $250 for the second, $300 for the third and $350 for the fourth. 'It's no secret that we have a dog problem,' said deputy Mayor Kim Smith during Tuesday's meeting. None of the other councillors added anything, other than Coun. Romeyn Stevenson, who said he agreed with the amendments. The text of the proposed amendment does not say why the city should change to holding an animal for 24 hours from the seven days it holds one now before euthanizing it. The bylaw proposal comes a few weeks after the city's public safety committee discussed how loose dogs are making community members feel unsafe, especially children, elders and those who leash their pets properly. 'No more playing around with the idea that it's OK to own a pet and not take care of it,' said Coun. Amber Aglukark, the chairperson of the public safety committee, after Tuesday's council meeting. Aglukark also said she hopes the bylaw amendments will help the people who run dog teams. Most of Iqaluit's dog teams are kept in the West 40 area, away from the city's core. However, Aglukark — who also helps run a dog team — says loose dogs coming to the area sometimes cause trouble, including unexpected pregnancies. 'All dog team owners, they put time and effort and money and care and dedication to these teams,' she said. 'Having this new bylaw in place could potentially help minimize the risk of our dog team owners having to go through the uncertainty of what's going to happen if a stray dog approaches their female.' The proposed bylaw amendments await third and final reading.
Western Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Western Telegraph
‘Beast of Birkenhead' moniker came after murder that shocked community
Mr Sullivan, who spent 38 years in prison, was jailed in 1987 for killing the 21-year-old. Miss Sindall, a florist who was working part-time as a barmaid while she saved up for her wedding, was raped and brutally murdered as she walked along Borough Road in Birkenhead, Wirral, in the early hours of August 2 1986. Peter was called so many different names and that all needs to be squashed now because Peter was never anything of what he was being called in the first place Kim Smith, Peter Sullivan's sister Mr Sullivan was convicted of her murder the following year and bite marks found on her body, used as part of the case against him, led to him being called the 'Beast of Birkenhead', the 'Wolfman' and the 'Mersey Ripper'. Speaking outside court after his conviction was quashed, Mr Sullivan's sister Kim Smith said: 'Peter was called so many different names and that all needs to be squashed now because Peter was never anything of what he was being called in the first place.' The murder became a 'catalyst for action' for women, who set up Wirral Rape Crisis Counselling Service in its aftermath, which still operates today as Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside. Peter Sullivan spent 38 years in prison for the murder of Diane Sindall in 1986 and has had his conviction quashed at the Court of Appeal (Merseyside Police/PA) According to the service, it was after Miss Sindall's death that it was decided 'enough was enough'. The charity said: 'With local women angry at the nature of Diane's death and how easily it could have been prevented, a change in attitude and the very first 'Reclaim the Night' march in Liverpool presented the perfect opportunity to strike. Police said Miss Sindall suffered extensive injuries in the attack, with her cause of death established as a cerebral haemorrhage following multiple blows. Kim Smith, sister of Peter Sullivan speaking to the media outside the Royal Courts of Justice, after Mr Sullivan had his conviction quashed at the Court of Appeal (Ben Whitley/PA) The high-profile crime was featured on Crimewatch in the weeks after her murder. On Tuesday, Merseyside Police found itself again appealing for help to find the man who killed her. Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill said: 'Diane's murder sent shockwaves through Birkenhead when it happened and I would appeal to anyone who lived in the area at the time, and has any information which could help us with our inquiries, to come forward.'
Associated Press
22-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
HECM Tool adds Smartfi's Choice Fixed Proprietary Product, Helping Forward Mortgage Brokers Step into Reverse with Confidence
GIG HARBOR, Wash., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HECM Tool, the leading reverse mortgage sales and conversion software, announced the integration of Smartfi Home Loans' Choice Fixed proprietary reverse mortgage product into its platform. The update makes it easier than ever for traditional mortgage brokers and forward loan officers to offer reverse mortgages, including Choice Fixed, to clients. With side-by-side comparisons and intuitive visuals, the HECM Tool bridges the gap between forward and reverse lending with clarity and ease. 'We're incredibly excited to see Choice Fixed now available within the HECM Tool platform,' said Kim Smith, Senior Vice President of Wholesale Lending at Smartfi®. 'This partnership combines our industry leading Choice product with a game-changing tool for the wholesale channel—demonstrating Smartfi's commitment to product innovation and making reverse mortgages easy.' Choice Fixed offers fixed-rate stability, quicker closings and broader borrower eligibility than FHA-insured HECMs. Now fully integrated into the HECM Tool's visual interface, loan officers can easily compare and present both HECM and proprietary reverse mortgage options for refinance or purchase transactions. 'This is exactly what brokers have been asking for,' said Joshua Evink, Vice President of Wholesale Lending at Smartfi. 'The HECM Tool gives brokers the confidence to offer reverse—and now they can include one of the most competitive proprietary products in the market.' HECM Tool is the only reverse mortgage software proven to improve conversion rates by simplifying the sales process with data visualization and dynamic reporting. With this new integration, brokers can: - Instantly compare HECM and Choice Fixed scenarios - Present refinance or purchase options clearly and effectively - Educate clients visually—without technical overwhelm - Step confidently into reverse, even with no prior experience 'Forward loan officers now have a clear path into the reverse space,' said Tane Cabe, Founder and President of HECM Tool. 'We're thrilled to include Choice Fixed—it's more than another product. It gives originators clarity and confidence when presenting reverse solutions.' Choice Fixed is available now for all HECM Tool subscribers, empowering brokers to grow by serving one of America's most underserved borrower groups. About HECM Tool HECM Tool is the premier sales platform for reverse mortgage originators, providing data visualization and scenario modeling that increases conversion rates. Learn more at About Smartfi Home Loans Smartfi offers industry-leading reverse mortgage products like Choice Fixed & HECMs while delivering best-in-class service to expand access for brokers and borrowers across retail, wholesale, and consumer-direct channels. Media Contact Tane Cabe [email protected] (253) 765-5035 View original content: SOURCE HECM Toolbox
The Independent
05-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Independent
Elephant captured walking up couple's driveway on Ring doorbell camera
An African elephant casually walks up a couple's driveway and stops for a midnight snack in this incredible Ring doorbell footage. The moment was captured on Deon Geldenhuys and his wife Kim Smith's Ring security camera at their home close to a wildlife estate in South Africa. The footage shows the elephant standing in the residential driveway, before breaking off branches for a snack. Deon has also spotted a lioness walking past his study in the middle of the day. Other animals captured on the battery home security cameras include a giraffe reaching for treetop, a civet enjoying a tasty snack and a porcupine displaying its quills.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former USDA workers warn cuts could harm RI farmers, groceries
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Five former U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) employees told 12 News they had worked for the federal agency's Warwick office for less than a year. Then last week, all of them received an email from an address they didn't recognize with a termination letter. 'It's funny because mine said 'accepted service termination letter template,'' former archeologist Kim Smith recalled. 'So one, they're using a template. And then on top of that, I was not accepted service, I was competitive service.' Smith said hers arrived at 10:06 p.m. 'The agency finds, based on your performance, that you have not demonstrated that your further employment at the agency would be in the public interest,' the letter read. The former employees said the letter came as a surprise to their supervisors, and because of how they were let go, they are not receiving severance pay. And some said they are not eligible for unemployment because they haven't worked for the USDA long enough. 'This was my dream job,' said Justin Chen, a former natural resource specialist. 'To get that all taken away from me in just one copy-and-pasted email, it's a nightmare.' According to the former employees, 13 people were let go from the USDA's Warwick office, about a quarter of its staff. A spokesperson for the USDA would not confirm how many employees were cut, and told 12 News a federal records request would have to be submitted. In recent weeks, President Donald Trump and the new Department of Government Efficiency had been making cuts to federal staff across the country to trim down on government expenses. 'We have a solemn responsibility to be good stewards of Americans' hard-earned taxpayer dollars and to ensure that every dollar is being spent as effectively as possible to serve the people, not the bureaucracy,' a USDA spokesperson said. But the former employees warned these cuts could have a profound effect on Rhode Islanders. 'Farmers and producers will definitely be left behind,' said Megan Delaurier, a former soil conservationist. 'With some of these firings, they rely on these programs to run their businesses and improve their livelihoods.' Delaurier, who works with Rhode Island farmers and producers, said that with fewer USDA employees, payments that farmers are expecting may not arrive on time, which could have a ripple effect. 'If these businesses are hurt because of lost contracts and money earned if a farm goes out of business, it's going to affect the people who rely on that food,' Delaurier said. Download the free to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
