Latest news with #Luby
Pembrokeshire Herald
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Crymych battle bravely in high-scoring clash with leaders
West Wales Intermediate Cup – Semi-Final: Hakin United 1–0 A THUNDEROUS strike deep into stoppage time from Leon Luby sent Hakin United back to the West Wales Cup final — and back to the Stadium — just two years after their last appearance. The semi-final at Stebonheath Park had been a cagey, hard-fought affair, with both sides struggling to break the deadlock. But with the game heading for penalties, substitute Luby produced a moment of magic to settle it. Collecting a pass from Liam Parks on the left flank, Luby beat his marker, cut inside and unleashed a curling right-footed effort that soared past Jack Williams and into the far corner. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Hakin players and fans alike. The dramatic win sets up an all-Pembrokeshire final — the first since 2019 — with Monkton Swifts or Tenby United waiting in the wings. Cagey contest, flashes of brilliance The match was high on tension but low on clear-cut chances, especially early on. Hakin, fresh from lifting the Senior Cup, nearly struck within 90 seconds as Parks capitalised on a defensive lapse, only to see his shot well saved by Williams. St Joseph's danger man, Kyle Copp — who has racked up 40 league goals this season — almost broke the deadlock with a spectacular 30-yard lob that forced Gareth Fawcett to tip over. Copp then turned provider, threading a perfect ball through to Rikki Hayden, but again Fawcett was alert and made the block. Ryan Wilson had two golden chances for Hakin, the best coming just before half-time, but Williams stood firm to deny him on both occasions. Tactical tweaks, late drama Copp continued to be a menace after the break, weaving past defenders and narrowly missing the target. But it was Hakin boss Scott Davies who changed the course of the game with a trio of substitutions. Camron Thomas, Ashley Bevan and, crucially, Luby added energy and purpose to the Vikings' attack. Bevan thought he'd given Hakin the lead with a header from Thomas' pinpoint delivery — only for the linesman's flag to deny him. Parks then saw another effort spectacularly saved by Williams as the match swung from end to end. St Joseph's had a goal ruled out for offside and Bevan missed a one-on-one chance in the dying minutes. It looked like extra-time was inevitable. But in the 93rd minute, Luby had other ideas. Resolute to the end Even after the goal, Hakin had to dig deep. A late St Joseph's corner caused chaos in the box, but Jake Merry threw his body on the line to make a crucial block and preserve the clean sheet. Now, Hakin United are just one win away from glory — and from ending a 20-year wait since their last West Wales Cup triumph in 2004. Hakin United: Fawcett, Merry, Power, Aldred, King (Thomas 51), Nicholson (Jones 72), Wilson (Bevan 56), Britton, Parks, Kilby, Walsh (Luby 61). Unused: Devonald. St Joseph's: Williams, Lloyd-Evans, J. Evans (Morgan 94), R. Jones, Symmons (Price 94), Frost (Pelosi 63), Brown (A. Jones 77), Kerr, Owen, Hayden (Griffiths 79), Copp. Officials: Referee – Ben Williams Assistants – Martin Oliver & Adam Bray
Pembrokeshire Herald
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Last-gasp Luby screamer sends Hakin back to the big stage
West Wales Intermediate Cup – Semi-Final: Hakin United 1–0 A THUNDEROUS strike deep into stoppage time from Leon Luby sent Hakin United back to the West Wales Cup final — and back to the Stadium — just two years after their last appearance. The semi-final at Stebonheath Park had been a cagey, hard-fought affair, with both sides struggling to break the deadlock. But with the game heading for penalties, substitute Luby produced a moment of magic to settle it. Collecting a pass from Liam Parks on the left flank, Luby beat his marker, cut inside and unleashed a curling right-footed effort that soared past Jack Williams and into the far corner. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Hakin players and fans alike. The dramatic win sets up an all-Pembrokeshire final — the first since 2019 — with Monkton Swifts or Tenby United waiting in the wings. Cagey contest, flashes of brilliance The match was high on tension but low on clear-cut chances, especially early on. Hakin, fresh from lifting the Senior Cup, nearly struck within 90 seconds as Parks capitalised on a defensive lapse, only to see his shot well saved by Williams. St Joseph's danger man, Kyle Copp — who has racked up 40 league goals this season — almost broke the deadlock with a spectacular 30-yard lob that forced Gareth Fawcett to tip over. Copp then turned provider, threading a perfect ball through to Rikki Hayden, but again Fawcett was alert and made the block. Ryan Wilson had two golden chances for Hakin, the best coming just before half-time, but Williams stood firm to deny him on both occasions. Tactical tweaks, late drama Copp continued to be a menace after the break, weaving past defenders and narrowly missing the target. But it was Hakin boss Scott Davies who changed the course of the game with a trio of substitutions. Camron Thomas, Ashley Bevan and, crucially, Luby added energy and purpose to the Vikings' attack. Bevan thought he'd given Hakin the lead with a header from Thomas' pinpoint delivery — only for the linesman's flag to deny him. Parks then saw another effort spectacularly saved by Williams as the match swung from end to end. St Joseph's had a goal ruled out for offside and Bevan missed a one-on-one chance in the dying minutes. It looked like extra-time was inevitable. But in the 93rd minute, Luby had other ideas. Resolute to the end Even after the goal, Hakin had to dig deep. A late St Joseph's corner caused chaos in the box, but Jake Merry threw his body on the line to make a crucial block and preserve the clean sheet. Now, Hakin United are just one win away from glory — and from ending a 20-year wait since their last West Wales Cup triumph in 2004. Hakin United: Fawcett, Merry, Power, Aldred, King (Thomas 51), Nicholson (Jones 72), Wilson (Bevan 56), Britton, Parks, Kilby, Walsh (Luby 61). Unused: Devonald. St Joseph's: Williams, Lloyd-Evans, J. Evans (Morgan 94), R. Jones, Symmons (Price 94), Frost (Pelosi 63), Brown (A. Jones 77), Kerr, Owen, Hayden (Griffiths 79), Copp. Officials: Referee – Ben Williams Assistants – Martin Oliver & Adam Bray
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Two people charged in connection with crash involving wrong-way driver who struck trooper
Two people face charges in connection with a crash in Hartford last March where a state police trooper was struck by a wrong-way driver. Christopher Velazquez, 44, and Vilmarie Ayala, 33, both of East Windsor, each face charges, according to Connecticut State Police. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, state police believe Velazquez was driving a 2019 Honda Pilot that struck Trooper Charles Luby on Jennings Road in Hartford on March 12, 2024. He allegedly took off from the scene and abandoned the vehicle when it became disabled. Investigators were able to trace the vehicle to Ayala, who initially reported it as stolen before ultimately admitting that Velazquez had been driving it, according to the warrant affidavit. Ayala was arrested on April 8 when officers with the East Windsor Police Department came into contact with her and found that state police had a warrant for her arrest. She faces charges of third-degree hindering prosecution, interfering with police and second-degree falsely reporting an incident. Velazquez was charged on Monday at Hartford Superior Court. He faces charges of reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, evading responsibility involving an injury, driving the wrong way on a divided highway, possession of a controlled substance, interfering with police, assault on public safety personnel and first-degree reckless endangerment. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, a state trooper shortly after 8 p.m. spotted a Honda Pilot on Interstate 91 South, in the area of Exit 35A in Windsor, coming up very quickly behind him. At the time, state police did not know the driver of the vehicle had taken off from an East Windsor officer who found that the vehicle's registration was suspended due to an insurance issue. The driver of the Honda reportedly got onto I-91 and was allegedly seen going more than 100 mph to get away from the East Windsor officer, the warrant affidavit said. The trooper who spotted the Pilot in Windsor got behind it and allegedly saw the driver make several unsafe lane changes, state police wrote. In the area of Exit 33 in Hartford, the driver then made a U-turn and began heading the wrong way up the entryway to I-91 South from Jennings Road, according to the warrant affidavit. The trooper flipped on his lights and siren to conduct a stop, but the driver did not pull over. The trooper did not pursue the vehicle and alerted other troopers over the radio to what happened. According to the warrant affidavit, Luby was on Jennings Road when he heard the radio transmissions and he moved toward I-91. The Pilot driver was then seen turning right onto Jennings Road going east in the westbound lanes directly at Luby, the warrant affidavit said. Luby put his emergency lights on, but the Honda driver did not show any signs of slowing down or moving to avoid a collision, the warrant affidavit said. Luby positioned his cruiser to the right of the three westbound lanes where state police said the Honda driver struck him in an opposite direction, angled crash, before the Pilot driver continued driving, according to the warrant affidavit. The Pilot became disabled when the driver got back onto the I-91 ramp, the warrant affidavit said. The driver then took off on foot. Luby suffered minor injuries in the crash and was taken to an area hospital for treatment. A number of state troopers, K-9 units and Hartford Police Department officers responded to the area in an attempt to find the suspect. A trooper who was at the corner of Weston Street and Jennings Road spotted a man walking while talking on a cell phone around 8:20 p.m. and asked him where he was going. The man, who was later identified as Velazquez, told the trooper he had gotten into a fight with his girlfriend, the warrant affidavit said. When asked why his hand was bleeding, Velazquez said his girlfriend had cut him with a set of keys, state police wrote. Velazquez denied being involved in the crash and was instructed to go to a nearby McDonald's to wait for additional Hartford officers who were responding to the area, the warrant affidavit said. Investigators did not have any other contact with him that evening, state police wrote. When state police investigators spoke to the registered owner of the Pilot around 9:30 p.m., he told them he had not had the vehicle since about two years prior when his ex-girlfriend, who he identified as Ayala, took it, the warrant affidavit said. The man said he was traveling all over the country as a truck driver at the time and he agreed to allow Ayala to keep the Honda when they broke up. Just before 10:30 p.m., state police learned that Ayala called 911 and reported that her Pilot had been stolen, adding that she had heard it was involved in a hit-and-run, according to the warrant affidavit. When state police spoke to her she initially said the vehicle was stolen from a parking lot and that she had no idea who could have been driving it, according to the warrant affidavit. Within a few minutes, state police wrote, Ayala admitted that she was lying and said her friend was driving the vehicle, though she initially claimed she did not know his name. When troopers seized her cell phone, Ayala reportedly admitted her friend's first name was 'Chris,' the warrant affidavit said. She then allegedly identified Velazquez as her friend when she was shown his photo from the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry, according to the warrant affidavit. A day after the crash, state police went to an East Windsor residence to speak with Ayala and Velazquez about the collision, but no one answered the door despite troopers hearing footsteps inside, the warrant affidavit said. Investigators obtained search warrants for Ayala's phone and the Pilot during the investigation. Inside the Honda, authorities reported finding a clear plastic bag with about 10 grams of fentanyl inside, state police wrote. Following her arrest, Ayala was released on a $25,000 bond, state police said. She is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on April 28. Velazquez is free on a $100,000 and is set to face a judge on May 9.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Once-Struggling Burger Chains That Are Making A Comeback
The past few years have been pretty brutal for the restaurant industry. Many businesses struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic, and even as the world reopened, countless restaurants never made a full recovery. Add to that the challenges of inflation, rising food costs, and shifting consumer habits, and it becomes clear why even long-standing establishments have had a hard time surviving. Burger chains, in particular, face a unique challenge. As one of America's most beloved foods, the demand for burgers has never wavered — but neither has the competition. With fast food giants, trendy smash burger joints, and gourmet burger eateries all vying for customers, standing out in an oversaturated market is no easy feat. Some burger chains that once flourished hit rough patches in recent years, closing locations or declaring bankruptcy. Despite these challenges, many formerly struggling restaurants are making impressive comebacks, and burger chains are no exception. In 2025, when burger chain closures are becoming the norm, it's refreshing to see these once-struggling burger brands bouncing back — hopefully, for good. Read more: Popular Culver's Menu Items, Ranked Worst To Best For years, Fuddruckers was a staple of the American burger scene, known for its build-your-own burgers and family-friendly atmosphere. At its peak, the chain boasted over 100 locations, but financial struggles and changing consumer preferences led to a sharp decline. Many of its restaurants shut down, and by 2022, the situation intensified when its parent company, Luby's Inc., fully dissolved, forcing Fuddruckers into an uncertain future. For a while, it seemed like Fuddruckers might disappear entirely, another casualty of the current challenging dining landscape. However, after much turbulence, Fuddruckers is making a comeback. The brand is slowly expanding again, returning to neighborhoods it once left behind, thanks in part to Nicholas Perkins, who acquired the franchise after Luby's downfall. The businessman is committed to the revitalizing the restaurant, sharing with Nation's Restaurant News in 2021, "I believe there are good hamburgers out there, but I don't believe there's a hamburger greater than what we serve ... I feel like I have the skill set to transition the brand to greater heights." The company's latest success has been the opening of the Washington D.C. Chinatown location, which had previously shut down in 2017 after fiscal concerns. The resurgence is fueled by a renewed focus on quality and nostalgia, drawing back longtime fans while appealing to a new generation of burger lovers. It's no secret that Burger King is a household name in the U.S., but even the biggest brands aren't immune to setbacks. In 2023, the fast food giant made the tough call to close around 300 restaurants, trimming underperforming locations to stabilize the business. While this could have signaled a downward spiral, the strategy paid off, and by 2024, closures slowed, and sales began to rise. Now, Burger King is doubling down on its comeback with impressive changes, including major renovation plans and new combo meal offerings, showing a clear commitment to reinvesting in the brand and winning back customers. Even before its renewed momentum, Burger King was still far from failure. It consistently ranks among the top three burger chains in the U.S., alongside McDonald's and Wendy's. Not to mention, the company's fresh efforts are starting to pay off. The last quarter of 2024 showed 1.5% growth according to data from QSR, with anticipation for 2025 to be an even stronger year, proving that Burger King's strategy of store upgrades and menu innovation is resonating with customers. Shake Shack may have built a cult following with its high-quality burgers, dippable cheese sauce, and frothy shakes, but this fan-favorite chain wasn't spared from the financial turmoil of the pandemic. Even after shifting focus to a takeaway model, sales plummeted by 29% in 2020, forcing the company to cut 20% of its corporate staff. While Shake Shack didn't resort to mass closures like some of its competitors, it struggled to maintain profitability in the years that followed. In 2022, staffing shortages remained a persistent issue even after increasing pay to about $20 per hour. Luckily, by the end of 2022, total revenue was up by a healthy 17.5%, though shares simultaneously dipped by $0.05 (via Restaurant Business). Now, after years of highs and lows, Shake Shack is proving it still has plenty of fight left. In 2024, revenue jumped 14.8% compared to the previous year, and in January 2025, the company projected revenue increases between 16% and 18%. Even with its expanded footprint, Shake Shack still lags behind burger giants like McDonald's and Burger King in the sheer number of locations, but the recent uptick in sales suggests Shake Shack is setting the stage for an even stronger presence in the burger industry. Back Yard Burgers has experienced a rough road, declaring bankruptcy not once but twice in about a decade. The first bankruptcy came in 2012 after years of struggling with declining sales and increased competition. Though the company was able to restructure and continue operations, it never fully regained its footing. By 2023, Back Yard Burgers once again found itself in financial distress, filing for bankruptcy due to mounting debt and continuous closed locations. At the time of filing, the company had anywhere between $1 and $10 million in assets, with $10.9 million of secured debt and over $185,000 in credit card debt. With such serious numbers, the brand, known for its flame-grilled burgers and premium ingredients, ran the risk of disappearing altogether. However, in the fourth quarter of 2024, the chain emerged from bankruptcy, signaling the start of yet another attempt at a turnaround. Now, with a fresh start in 2025, Back Yard Burgers has a chance to rebuild, but this is just the start of the chain's comeback. With just seven remaining locations, the company has yet to unveil major expansion plans. Its focus will likely be on refining its menu and potentially re-entering markets where it previously closed stores. If it can differentiate itself in an increasingly crowded fast food landscape, Back Yard Burgers may just prove that it still has a place in the industry. Read the original article on Mashed.
