Latest news with #MissionBeach
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Applications for Mission Beach whole home short-term rental licenses to reopen
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — For the first time in nearly three years, San Diego is reopening the application process for short-term vacation rental licenses in one of its most popular beach communities. Starting Tuesday, July 1 at 10 a.m., the City of San Diego will begin accepting Tier 4 Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) license applications for whole-home rentals in Mission Beach. These licenses apply to properties rented out more than 20 days per year in the Mission Beach Community Planning Area. This marks the first opportunity to apply since the city paused Tier 4 applications in November 2022, after quickly reaching capacity during the last application window. Since then, the city has only been processing applicants from a waitlist. The Tier 4 license reopening comes under the framework of the city's STRO Ordinance, adopted by the San Diego City Council and approved by the California Coastal Commission. The rules regulate short-term rentals of fewer than 30 consecutive days, aiming to strike a balance between vacation rentals and long-term housing availability. Cal Fire awards $5.9M in forest health research grants to tackle wildfires 'As a result of this ordinance, we have seen more housing return to the market for San Diego residents, while also providing options for visitors who want to stay in one of San Diego's many vibrant and diverse neighborhoods,' said District 2 Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, whose district includes the beach community. 'Especially in popular areas like Mission Beach, these regulations have protected the neighborhood quality of life, and I am grateful to all the hosts who have adapted to follow this new model for their rentals.' To be eligible, applicants must: Hold an active Transient Occupancy Tax certificate. Be current on all Rental Unit Business Taxes. The application period will remain open for 45 days, ending Aug. 15, 2025. Once closed, the city will conduct a random lottery to determine the processing order and assign waitlist positions, as required by the San Diego's Municipal Code. As explained by the city, existing license holders in lower tiers can apply to be considered for a Tier 4 license. If approved, they'll be required to cancel their current license. San Diego officials confirmed that this reopening does not impact the availability or application process for Tier 1–3 licenses. More information about all license tiers is available online. 'I am committed to continuing to foster a positive and respectful relationship between San Diego residents and visitors as we enter this next phase of licensing,' Campbell continued. For San Diegans and visitors alike, the renewed availability of these licenses could mean more vacation options along the coast — while the city maintains its goal of preserving housing for residents and protecting neighborhood character. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Mother and Child Narrowly Escape the 'World's Most Dangerous Bird.' See Footage of the 'Close Encounter'
A mom and her child had a close call with a dangerous bird, and their narrow escape was caught on security cameras. Nearly a month after the "close encounter" in Australia, the Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation released the footage as a warning about the feathery fiend behind it: the cassowary. Often referred to as the world's most dangerous bird," per the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the cassowary should not be fed or approached, the government agency warned in the June 18 press release. In the surveillance footage, the mom and her child walk up to a door in Mission Beach on May 9. The kid picks up his pace to a run after spotting two cassowaries behind them. The mother, who is walking ahead of her child, notices the birds and holds the door open for the kid as he runs inside. The two cassowaries follow closely behind but don't make it in. The birds slow down after realizing the human duo had made it inside, but they still approach the now-closed door, the footage shows. The birds — one tall and one much smaller — were "a habituated male cassowary and his chick," the Queensland department said, adding that they were "approaching a home in the hopes of being fed." This hope is generated by human interference, which is why authorities "are urging people to avoid unlawfully feeding wildlife," particularly cassowaries. Commonly found in the wet tropics of Queensland, cassowaries can be fearsome to encounter. According to the press release from Queensland authorities, the flightless birds "can inflict serious injuries to people and pets by kicking out with their large, clawed feet," which led the WWF to draw comparisons to an iconic horror villain. "They're most active at twilight, have a claw that rivals Freddy Krueger's, and are one of the few bird species that have killed humans," the WWF said of the birds, which can reach 4 to 5.6 feet, on average. Feeding the birds often alters their behavior and makes them more daring around humans, which has led to multiple cassowary run-ins, like the filmed incident of the mother with her child. "This incident is one of several cassowary interactions in the area which are linked to unlawful feeding," wildlife ranger Jeff Lewis said in a statement. "Thankfully, the mother and child were able to get inside to safety, but it's an important reminder not to interfere with wildlife." Another cassowary incident in April saw one of the birds approach a Queensland man in his seventies and kick him in the leg. The man "was treated for a cut to his leg" and "was lucky the injuries weren't worse," Lewis added. Incidents like these are "stark examples," he said, of the dangers of feeding the birds. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Local wildlife rangers have been warning people of the risks, installing signage and providing education, but the unlawful feeding persists," Lewis added in the release. "When cassowaries associate humans with food, they can become impatient and aggressive, particularly when accompanied by chicks." The Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation advises people to "never approach cassowaries," especially not chicks, as "male cassowaries will defend them." People living in cassowary-populated areas should also slow down when driving, but not stop to look at the birds (if they are on the road). Dogs living near cassowary habitats should also be leashed or kept behind a fence. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Mother and Child Narrowly Escape the 'World's Most Dangerous Bird.' See Footage of the 'Close Encounter'
A mom and her child had a close call with a dangerous bird, and their narrow escape was caught on security cameras. Nearly a month after the "close encounter" in Australia, the Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation released the footage as a warning about the feathery fiend behind it: the cassowary. Often referred to as the world's most dangerous bird," per the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the cassowary should not be fed or approached, the government agency warned in the June 18 press release. In the surveillance footage, the mom and her child walk up to a door in Mission Beach on May 9. The kid picks up his pace to a run after spotting two cassowaries behind them. The mother, who is walking ahead of her child, notices the birds and holds the door open for the kid as he runs inside. The two cassowaries follow closely behind but don't make it in. The birds slow down after realizing the human duo had made it inside, but they still approach the now-closed door, the footage shows. The birds — one tall and one much smaller — were "a habituated male cassowary and his chick," the Queensland department said, adding that they were "approaching a home in the hopes of being fed." This hope is generated by human interference, which is why authorities "are urging people to avoid unlawfully feeding wildlife," particularly cassowaries. Commonly found in the wet tropics of Queensland, cassowaries can be fearsome to encounter. According to the press release from Queensland authorities, the flightless birds "can inflict serious injuries to people and pets by kicking out with their large, clawed feet," which led the WWF to draw comparisons to an iconic horror villain. "They're most active at twilight, have a claw that rivals Freddy Krueger's, and are one of the few bird species that have killed humans," the WWF said of the birds, which can reach 4 to 5.6 feet, on average. Feeding the birds often alters their behavior and makes them more daring around humans, which has led to multiple cassowary run-ins, like the filmed incident of the mother with her child. "This incident is one of several cassowary interactions in the area which are linked to unlawful feeding," wildlife ranger Jeff Lewis said in a statement. "Thankfully, the mother and child were able to get inside to safety, but it's an important reminder not to interfere with wildlife." Another cassowary incident in April saw one of the birds approach a Queensland man in his seventies and kick him in the leg. The man "was treated for a cut to his leg" and "was lucky the injuries weren't worse," Lewis added. Incidents like these are "stark examples," he said, of the dangers of feeding the birds. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Local wildlife rangers have been warning people of the risks, installing signage and providing education, but the unlawful feeding persists," Lewis added in the release. "When cassowaries associate humans with food, they can become impatient and aggressive, particularly when accompanied by chicks." The Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation advises people to "never approach cassowaries," especially not chicks, as "male cassowaries will defend them." People living in cassowary-populated areas should also slow down when driving, but not stop to look at the birds (if they are on the road). Dogs living near cassowary habitats should also be leashed or kept behind a fence. Read the original article on People
ABC News
19-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Australian chocolate gains a competitive edge in global cocoa shortage
Chris Jahnke's Far North Queensland cocoa farm is not the cheapest place to buy chocolate, but as the price of imports soars, people are lining up to buy his beans. "I've actually got a waiting list of people wanting to buy Australian cocoa beans and we just don't have enough to supply them," Mr Jahnke said. Supply challenges in the major West African cocoa-producing countries, Ghana and Ivory Coast, have led to record prices, driving up the cost of chocolate for consumers. Not just a cocoa grower, Mr Jahnke also produces chocolate at his Mission Beach property, about 130km south of Cairns in Queensland's far north. "I get calls probably at least once a week from Australian chocolate makers — these are the sort of boutique, bean-to-bar kind of makers — wanting to buy Australian beans," he said. "That's not just in Australia. We get inquiries from overseas now that we're becoming a bit more well known." He expected it would lead to growth in the Australian industry over the next decade. "I think we'll get to a point where we'll be … maybe producing a couple of thousand tonnes of cocoa here in Australia, which is still a drop in the ocean in the worldwide cocoa supply," he said. Historically, cocoa prices have averaged close to $4,600 a tonne, according to Rabobank agricultural analyst, Paul Joules. But by the end of last year, prices peaked at almost $17,000 a tonne, eventually settling at about $14,000 a tonne. Later this year, the European Union plans to enforce new trade regulations that penalise products linked to deforestation. It will apply to commodities including cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, rubber, and their associated products. Mr Joules says it will be a significant change. "It could have big impacts and it could cause a bit of a shift in supply chains for these key EU importers and where they're getting their products from." He says, to some degree, prices have already started to move because Europe is a significant importer of cocoa. "It's going to be very difficult to source products from key [European] producers so that, potentially, was also one of the factors as to why we saw higher prices," Mr Joules said. "There's already a bit of fear in the market and, of course, depending on how it plays out, it could potentially cause a little bit more upside." In May, the federal Department of Agriculture said Australia had been classified as a low-risk country under the European regulation. That means it will be easier for EU businesses to source ingredients grown here than from countries classified as higher risk, like Ivory Coast. For Mr Janke, that presents a big opportunity. "Deforestation is a common thing in West Africa, which grows 70 per cent of the cocoa, so there is a significant problem for that industry in Europe," he said. "Because so much of cocoa is grown in Third World countries, where they have all sorts of compliance issues, we're at the head of the queue just by virtue of where we are."
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Yahoo
Warning as 'dangerous' creature spotted in Aussie yard
A home security camera has captured the 'dangerous' moment a woman and her child were chased into their home by a large cassowary in Australia. The footage has prompted Queensland's environment department (DETSI) to issue a warning not to feed them, as the prospect of an easy meal is luring birds from forests into neighbouring suburbs. Filmed at Mission Beach in the state's tropical north, the clip shows a male bird and his chick continuing to wait outside the door because they've learned to associate humans with food. Local vet Dr Graham Lauridsen has seen an increase in people who visit the holiday town intentionally using scraps to lure the birds into the frame of their camera. 'They're getting fed more than ever before. And people are feeding them so they can get themselves a photo with a cassowary and stick it on social media,' he told Yahoo News. 'It doesn't seem to matter how many times we tell people. I think we need to start fining people for doing it, especially if they're repeat offenders.' Related: 😳 Entire Aussie street living in fear of 55-kilo wild bird's 'bold behaviour' In the security footage, there's one particular detail that's concerning experts — the presence of the chick. 'Cassowaries can injure you if they're stirred up enough. That can be if they're pushing them away because you don't want them to be near you, or if they've got chicks around,' Lauridsen said. 'They will bring their chicks to where the food supply is when they're caring for them. And if you get between them and the chick, they'll do you harm.' 🚨 Cassowary risking its life due to driver behaviour 📸 Confronting picture showcases state of Aussie wildlife on world stage 🔦 Rare animal hiding in outback photo helps solve decades-long mystery DETSI said the incident, which occurred in May, is one of several linked to the illegal feeding of cassowaries. In April, a man in his seventies was hospitalised after being kicked in the leg at another location. Ranger Jeff Lewis said DETSI has installed signage and worked to educate people in the area, but the problem persists, and this is highlighted by the video. 'Thankfully the mother and child were able to get inside to safety, but it's an important reminder to not interfere with wildlife,' he said. Lauridsen has become an 'unfortunate' cassowary expert at his Tropical Vets practice because of the high number of incidents involving injured cassowaries. While he estimates at least one person is injured by a cassowary every year, the act of feeding them is having an even bigger impact on the birds themselves, with the Australian species now listed as endangered. Lauridsen has treated close to 400 birds in the 25 years he's been working with DETSI. 'Almost all cassowaries that have been hit by cars or attacked by dogs in Mission Beach, when we've done post-mortems on them, they have domestic fruits inside them,' Lauridsen said. 'We say in the field that a fed bird is a dead bird.' Unfortunately for people who live in the holiday town, cassowaries don't only harass those who regularly feed them. It can result in someone who does the right thing being attacked. Lauridsen explained cassowaries 'don't necessarily distinguish one person from another', so an unsuspecting resident could be attacked because they've been fed by a neighbour, a person up the street, tourists, or kids waiting for the bus. 'They literally believe humans will provide them with food whenever they're around, and unfortunately, when they don't, they're scary and potentially dangerous,' he said. Cassowaries have three claws on each foot, but it's the inner toe that's the most deadly because it has a 10 to 15-centimetre 'dagger' that can be used to kill. Fatalities are rare, and they usually occur when the birds are in captivity, with the last known death occurring in Florida in 2019. Cassowaries are thought to have evolved 60 million years ago — six million years after the last of the non-avian dinosaurs became extinct. Over that time they've become an essential part of Queensland's rainforests, eating native plants and distributing their seeds. When the birds are fed a diet of commercial fruits, they are no longer fulfilling their natural role in the environment, and the landscape as we know it could begin to change. Anyone who wishes to report a cassowary displaying worrying behaviour is urged to contact rangers on 1300 130 372. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
