Latest news with #McAndrew
1News
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- 1News
How do pensioners stretch their dollars so far?
Neil McAndrew, 80, is Dunedin born and bred. He spent his working years as a sales rep, travelling around the South Island from Geraldine to Bluff. Now living on a pension, McAndrew is well placed to dish his money-saving tips – many inspired by the era he grew up in. He was born just after the end of the World War II. 'Mum would say, 'look I can't buy this for groceries this week, but we'll get it next week' because they were rationed," he told RNZ's Thrift podcast. These days, he said, it's like going back in time, still rationing, but in a different way. McAndrew said he lived pretty much from payday to payday, so every week he made a call on what he spent his dollars on. ADVERTISEMENT 'Can I afford to go away for a weekend? I might think, well, next week I've got the insurance bill to pay so I'll give it a miss." '[Or] I might think well because I want to go away next week I won't buy as much food.' Nearby in St Kilda, 79-year-old Betty Laing is semi-retired, and works part-time at an early childhood centre. Like McAndrew, her approach to budgeting also harks back to the way she was brought up. It was a simple life, one she believes has lessons for us now. 'I try and get things fixed if I can, doing a wee bit of mending. Or your car, just be gentle with your brake and your accelerator and I'm sure that must cut down on petrol. 'One of the biggest things is just watching what you buy and just think well do I really need that?' Laing doesn't like to waste anything – she only buys veges she likes and knows she'll eat. Every ingredient is accounted for in her meal planning. ADVERTISEMENT A keen baker, there's always butter and dairy products in her fridge. 'One batch of biscuits, that's probably the equivalent of two packets of bought biscuits," she tells Thrift. She makes her butter go a bit further by mixing in other ingredient such as margarine, and she's swapped out olive oil for a cheaper oils. While McAndrew grows some of his own veges, he makes good use of his freezer. Fish, meat, vegetables, ice cream and pies are all stashed in there, helping him pick his portion size without wasting food. He shops around to get good deals. 'That's a good motto, shop around. There's always bargains out there.' However, neither ration their social life. Laing goes out for coffee, visits friends, or they visit her, and she has a weekly lunch date with a group of ladies. 'It's quite a basic place that we go to, so the meals aren't expensive.' ADVERTISEMENT McAndrew has a diary stuffed with appointments. He is a member of various clubs in the area, including two men's friendship groups. 'My favourite club, or one of the many, is the Otago Historic Military Group. 'Another group I'm in is the Otago Orphans Entertainers Club.' The busyness brings thrifty benefits, he says, so he's not sitting at home 'on your own eating too much". The subs for virtually all of his clubs are $20 to $30 a year. 'To me that's cheap entertainment. It's good value for money.'
Courier-Mail
09-07-2025
- Health
- Courier-Mail
Pairing your Covid booster and flu shots could reduce the risk of hospitalisations, study shows
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. While many of us may be slacking on our booster shots in 2025, experts say getting your Covid and flu shots together could reduce the risk of being hospitalised After talking about it constantly for years and vigilantly watching out for new guidance on dose frequency, many of us haven't thought about our Covid booster shots for a while. But with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) reporting that there have been over 150,000 lab-confirmed influenza cases so far this year, and experts regularly warning us of the surge in cases, we're very much aware of the need for flu shots. Evidently, we should be staying on top of both, as a new study found that hospital admissions could be reduced if we get our flu vaccine with a Covid booster shot. Rates of vaccination in Australia According to the Department of Health, 18-64 year olds are eligible for a Covid booster shot every 12 months. Those who are severely immunocompromised or aged between 65 and 74 are eligible for a shot every six months, but are recommended to have a booster every 12 months. A quarter of Aussies are immunised against influenza, but experts are urging us to remember our Covid boosters too. Image: Pexels. A quarter of Aussies are immunised against influenza, but experts are urging us to remember our Covid boosters too. According to the paper, 62,000 people were hospitalised and 6500 people died after contracting Covid in 2023 alone, and in the 12 months prior, only 11 per cent of people above the age of 16 were vaccinated. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported 5001 registered deaths due to Covid during this time. But the annual vaccination coverage for influenza sits at 32 per cent, and 376 people died from the illness in 2023. When comparing different possible deliveries of Covid vaccines at different points of the year, researchers found that despite lingering year-round, offering booster shots at the same time as flu vaccines was likely an effective way to boost rates of immunisation. Image: Pexels "The COVID-19 vaccine gives 85 per cent protection against severe disease, which is significantly higher than the influenza vaccine, which offers 44 per cent protection against hospitalisation," co-author of the study, Fenella McAndrew said, as per the ABC. Pairing Covid and flu vaccines When comparing different possible deliveries of Covid vaccines at different points of the year, researchers found that despite lingering year-round, offering booster shots at the same time as flu vaccines was likely an effective way to boost rates of immunisation. Hospitalisations for Covid alone could decrease by up to 14 per cent. Image: Unsplash "Unlike influenza, COVID-19 doesn't have a well-defined season, and when we modelled different scenarios, the percentage of people receiving booster vaccinations was more important than the timing of the vaccination," McAndrew noted. Co-author Nick Scott agreed, saying, "by offering a COVID-19 booster vaccination alongside the annual influenza vaccination, we could aim to achieve similar vaccination coverage for COVID-19 as influenza, which would make a meaningful difference in reducing hospital admissions and deaths". Hospitalisations for Covid alone could decrease by up to 14 per cent. New variants continue to pop up around the world, with NB. 1.8.1 currently driving up infection rates in Australia. Image: iStock How common are Covid-19 cases in 2025? New variants continue to pop up around the world, with NB. 1.8.1 currently driving up infection rates in Australia. Designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a "variant under monitoring", the strain is showing up in patients around the country. It's difficult to identify the exact number of Covid cases this year, as reporting isn't mandated anymore, but experts are reminding us of the need to get vaccinated, even if you aren't concerned about symptoms. Vaccination at any time is beneficial. Image: iStock Scott said, "COVID-19 can lead to a range of health complications and results in more hospitalisations and deaths every year than influenza". Even if the symptoms of Covid themselves don't knock you around, infection can lead to issues affecting your brain, immune system, liver, kidneys, lungs and heart. Vaccination at any time is beneficial, but if you're already getting your flu shot, why not kill two birds with one stone and book in for both? Originally published as Pairing your Covid booster and flu shots could reduce the risk of hospitalisations, study shows
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Smurl announces independent campaign for Scranton council
Scranton City Council President Gerald Smurl will seek reelection as an independent candidate after withdrawing from Democratic primary contention in March over issues with his nomination petitions. Smurl, an incumbent Democrat who's served on council since December 2022, announced his independent run in a news release. 'Thanks to the overwhelming support and encouragement from my family and friends, I am happy to announce that I am running for reelection to Scranton City Council as an Independent candidate,' he said in the release. 'I want voters to know that I am committed to leading the city's future with independence, integrity and a shared intent to continue moving Scranton forward by supporting economic development, restoring parks and pools, and promoting cleaner, safer neighborhoods.' He joins a field of council candidates that includes Virgil Argenta, Patrick Flynn, Sean McAndrew, Marc Pane and incumbent Councilman Tom Schuster. Flynn, McAndrew and Schuster are all Democrats who won Democratic nominations in May's primary election. Pane, the lone Republican council candidate in that race, secured a GOP nomination in the primary. Argenta, who finished last in the Democratic primary for council, received enough Republican write-in votes to win a GOP nomination and advance to November's municipal election. McAndrew, a Scranton school director and nephew of Democratic Councilman Mark McAndrew, also won a GOP nomination with write-in votes and will appear on the November ballot as having both Democratic and Republican nominations. Council appointed Smurl in December 2022 to temporarily fill former Democratic Councilman Kyle Donahue's vacant seat after voters elected Donahue state representative. Smurl won reelection in 2023 to fill the remainder of Donahue's unexpired term and has served as council president since the beginning of 2024. Smurl filed earlier this year to run for reelection as a Democrat but withdrew from the primary field in mid-March, citing an issue with signatures on his nomination petitions. 'It came to my attention over the weekend that some of my campaign people got a bit overzealous … and actually got signatures that were not verified,' Smurl told The Times-Tribune on March 17. 'All it means is they didn't actually see the people sign a few of these.' He described the signatures in question as valid, but said at the time he didn't want the mistake to become an issue. The release announcing Smurl's independent candidacy says he felt an obligation to run despite the setback 'in order to continue supporting Scranton's senior citizens and working families, as well as small business owners and laborers throughout the city.' 'I heard from so many folks, urging me to run, that I felt I just couldn't let them down,' he said. 'And even though elections are never easy, I have a great team of supporters and volunteers that I'm incredibly grateful to have by my side. We're looking forward to fighting the good fight for the people of Scranton.' Smurl lives in South Scranton, is well-known for his annual 'Christmas Lights House' display on Prospect Avenue and is the longtime proprietor of Smurl HVAC LLC. He's also generally seen as a political ally of Democratic Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti and, as council president, communicates regularly with the mayor and her administration. Cognetti also seeks reelection this year. She comfortably defeated former Scranton School Board President Bob Sheridan in May's Democratic primary and will face Republican accounting executive Patricia Beynon and possible independent candidates for mayor in November. There are three council seats up for grabs in the November's election. The winners will serve alongside Councilman Mark McAndrew and Councilwoman Jessica Rothchild, both Democrats. 'I know that what I'm doing is working,' Smurl said Wednesday in a phone interview. 'Just look at what we're doing and how well the city is doing.'
Chicago Tribune
17-06-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Downers Grove teacher faces additional charges related to sex abuse case
A Downers Grove South High School teacher accused of sexually abusing a student faces dozens of additional charges after authorities said the alleged abuse was more widespread than initially believed. Christina Formella, 30, now faces a total of 55 counts, including multiple counts of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child and grooming, which were revealed in DuPage County Circuit Court on Tuesday. Formella initially was charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse after she was arrested by the Downers Grove Police Department in March. Formella was arraigned Tuesday on the 52 additional counts and entered a plea of not guilty. Prosecutor Jaclyn McAndrew asked that Formella be detained under the SAFE-T Act now that additional charges have been brought against her, but that request was denied. McAndrew unsuccessfully argued that Formella posed a risk to not only the student she abused but other students, noting she lives in close proximity to the high school. According to prosecutors, Formella groomed the boy when he was 14 years old, lured him into a false sense of security, suggested they had a sexual relationship and physically, emotionally, mentally and psychologically abused the child. McAndrew told the court that Formella had sex with the boy at least 45 times, including at school, during school hours and at her home. The pattern of abuse lasted almost two years, she said. '(Formella) knew what she was doing was wrong,' McAndrew said. Formella also convinced the boy to turn off his location on his cellphone and made the boy feel guilty or shamed, McAndrew said. '(Formella) is unbelievably conniving and unbelievably controlling,' McAndrew said. McAndrew said when Formella was initially granted pre-trial release in March, it was believed that it was an isolated incident. However, investigators have since discovered 'hundreds if not thousands of text messages' that corroborate the boy's side of the story, she said. McAndrew argued before the court that no conditions could mitigate the threat that Formella poses for the community or the victim. Formella was released after her first pre-trial detention hearing in March and ordered not to have any contact with the victim or children. Her attorney, Richard Kayne, argued that Formella has complied with the conditions placed upon her in March and there are no threats to anyone in the community. He said that Formella was indicted on the additional charges May 20, but they weren't unsealed until Tuesday. If Formella were a threat, then prosecutors should have made their case sooner, he said. On Tuesday, Judge Mia McPherson called the case 'horrifying in nature,' 'shocking' and 'appalling,' but she agreed that the community at large is not threatened by Formella. She said she is concerned about the boy that Formella is accused of abusing and believed there could be additional conditions placed on Formella to ensure she has no other contact with the child. As part of the judge's orders, Formella is required to have electronic monitoring software placed on her cellphones, tablets and computers and her emails and electronic communications monitored to ensure she has no contact with the boy. Formella was also ordered to wear a GPS monitor to ensure she did not go to the victim's home, school or work, McPherson said. Formella cannot leave Illinois without court permission and must surrender her passport. She is not allowed entry to Downers Grove South High School and may not have any contact with minors. Formella faces 60 years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said. The boy and his mother went to the Downers Grove Police Department in March to report the inappropriate sexual conduct after the boy's mom discovered text messages on his cellphone.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Five for McAndrew as Sussex turn on the Blast style at Hove
Sussex Sharks consigned Glamorgan to a chastening defeat at Hove in the T20 Vitality Blast. Half centuries from Tom Alsop and James Coles set up a commanding total, before Nathan McAndrew blew through a shell-shocked Glamorgan batting line-up to seal victory by 78 runs. Advertisement It leaves Sussex on three wins from four games as they make a strong start in the short format. After Sussex won the toss and elected to bat, Dan Hughes fell for one after slashing at a wider delivery from seamer Jamie McIlroy, skewing it to short third man where van der Gugten took a sharp catch. Fellow opener Harrison Ward came out with plenty of positive intent, sweeping off spinner Ben Kellaway's first ball for six, and striking two fours and a flat, square six off seamer Dan Douthwaite's first over. He fell for an enterprising 38 from 23, skying Mason Crane's second ball, with Kiran Karlson running backwards from mid off and taking an excellent catch. Advertisement John Simpson looked like he was trying to anchor the Sussex innings, but fell lbw to Kellaway for 26 from 23 balls after missing an attempted sweep. Coles came out the blocks quickly, plundering a four and six from consecutive Crane deliveries, and reaching 50 in just 33 deliveries. Alsop continued his good recent form, striking sixes with ease down the ground and over mid wicket. He brought up a rapid half century from only 26 balls, before hitting McIlroy straight to long on, departing for exactly 50. Andy Gorvin's deceptive dibbly-dobblers proved difficult to get away, with the medium pacer conceding only 26 from his four overs, including just a single boundary, but Dan Douthwaite was expensive, leaking 48 from three overs. Advertisement Coles finished the innings in style, hitting the final ball for six to finish 75 not out, setting Glamorgan 195 to win. A short ball from Ollie Robinson brought the first wicket, with Kiran Carlson only able to plink it to Coles at midwicket, falling for 12 from 12. Kelleway showed that he wasn't going to hang around, hitting his second ball from Robinson down the ground for six off, but then clipped McAndrew straight to Tom Clark at deep fine leg, departing for ten. The excitement in the ground rose when Colin Ingram was then dismissed first ball, getting a fine edge on an unexpected bouncer, leaving McAndrew on a hat-trick. Advertisement Chris Cooke almost gave the crowd the moment of ecstasy they craved, but the hat-trick ball flew just past his outside edge. Concluding the powerplay on 46-3, Glamorgan were already on the back foot and needing to play catch up. Instead, their fourth wicket fell to Coles' off spin, with a full looping delivery that yorked the disappointed looking Smale, who fell for 19 from 18. Things only got worse for the Welsh outfit when Cooke nicked behind off McAndrew in the next over, before Douthwaite was clean bowled by another McAndrew beauty that clipped the top of middle stump three deliveries later. Unbelievably, McAndrew once again found himself on a potential hat-trick when Timm Van der Gutgen spliced his first ball to Alsop at point, with Glamorgan having lost two wickets with the score on 40, two on 47, and two on 49. Advertisement McAndrew's second hat-trick ball passed without drama, but the Australian seamer ended with the spectacular figures of 5-12. Crane (25 off 19) and Asa Tribe (34 off 21) tried to get their team towards a respectable total, but it was too little, too late, and Glamorgan suffered a brutal defeat after being bowled out for 117, with McAndrew the star of the show.
