Latest news with #PhilThomas
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
NFL players praised for their response to Morice Norris' injury
& Phil Thomas Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris sustained a serious injury during a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night. Norris received on-field medical attention for approximately 20 minutes before being transported off in an ambulance. The game was suspended with 6:31 remaining after players from both teams collectively agreed to let the clock run out as a mark of respect for Norris. Players from both teams demonstrated significant sportsmanship, kneeling and praying together on the field before the game's suspension; many fans and outlets praised their response as 'genuinely the classiest thing I've ever seen during a football game'. The Lions later confirmed Norris is in a stable condition and has "feeling and movement in all his extremities" after being transported to hospital.
National Post
22-07-2025
- Business
- National Post
Berner International Launches New Intelliswitch™ Digital Controls on Architectural Air Curtains for Increased Performance and Energy Savings
Article content Touchscreen interface, smart app connectivity, and BMS integration simplify setup and maximize energy efficiency. Article content NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Berner International, North America's leading manufacturer of air curtains, announced today the launch of its newly redesigned Intelliswitch™ digital controls across the entire Architectural Series. The updated controls replace the traditional push-button interface with a sleek, touchscreen display and smart control capabilities offering effortless operation, streamlined setup, and energy-saving features. Article content Engineered in-house by Berner's controls and Internet of Things (IoT) experts, the new Intelliswitch digital controls represent a significant advancement in how air curtains are installed, configured, and managed. With built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, seamless integration with the Berner AIR® Basic app, and support for BACnet/Modbus BMS protocols, the controls provide real-time visibility and remote access for optimized air curtain performance at every doorway. Article content 'The latest evolution of our Intelliswitch digital controls reflects Berner's continued commitment to simplifying the user experience without compromising performance,' said Phil Thomas, Director of Product at Berner International. 'By combining intuitive control with advanced functionality, we're giving customers a powerful tool to improve comfort, boost energy efficiency, and streamline operations. We continue to invest, refine, and evolve our technology to deliver the smartest, most reliable solutions on the market.' Article content Berner's new Intelliswitch control platform has been built to make air curtains easier to install, set up, and operate. Users can choose to mount the touchscreen interface directly on the unit or remotely. Both options support connectivity to the Berner AIR Basic and Berner AIR BMS apps. Berner AIR Basic allows remote monitoring, scheduling, and control, along with a guided setup to mitigate errors and speed up programming of the air curtain. Berner AIR BMS supports integration with building management systems through either BACnet or Modbus protocols. This feature comes standard on the Architectural Elite and is optional on other Architectural models. Designed to last the full 15–20 year life of an air curtain, the controls can receive software and firmware updates and add new features over time. Article content 'No one is more passionate or knowledgeable about air curtains than the team at Berner,' said Miranda Berner, Manager at Berner. 'We've spent decades leading this category, and when smart controls became possible, we didn't hesitate to invest in smart control development. This latest version of our digital controller continues to advance our goal to make air curtains not just more effective, but more intuitive to operate so that facilities are healthier, more comfortable, and more energy-efficient when the doors are open.' Article content The new Intelliswitch digital controls are now included across all models in Berner's AMCA-certified Architectural Series including the Architectural Elite, Contour, Icon, and Recessed Air Curtains. All Architectural models meet vestibule exception requirements under ASHRAE 90.1, IECC, and other modern energy codes. Article content Key Features of the New Berner Intelliswitch™ Digital Controls: Article content Modern touchscreen interface Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ethernet connectivity Low-voltage input for door switches and sensors Remote and unit-mountable display configurations External thermostat compatibility Passcode protection and Emergency Stop functionality Commercial-grade components rated 0°–70°C (32°–158°F) Multi-language support: English, French, Spanish RoHS compliant for safer, environmentally responsible manufacturing Follows cybersecurity best practices to protect connected features Seamless access to Berner AIR® Basic and optional Berner AIR® BMS app integrations Article content In addition to performance and smart functionality, Berner's Architectural Series is designed with aesthetics in mind. The clean, modern lines and optional custom finishes allow the air curtains to seamlessly blend into high-end commercial spaces making them ideal for visible entrances where design matters as much as functionality. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Contact: Article content Article content Natalie Clarke Article content Article content Article content
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bird flu cases confirmed in Pembrokeshire and Wrexham
Protection zones have been put in place in two areas of Wales where there are confirmed cases of bird have been confirmed at a poultry small-holding of 120 hens near Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on Monday and at a commercial game bird premises near Glyn Ceiriog, Wrexham, on Tuesday.A 3km (1.9 miles) protection zone and 10km (6.2 miles) surveillance zone were in place around each of the infected premises, the Welsh government said. It added the Pembrokeshire case was the first in a poultry flock in Wales since April 2023. Protection zones mean stricter measures are in force in the area to contain the disease, while in the wider surveillance zones some restrictions may apply to movement. The Welsh government said the occupiers of the affected premises must record all movement of people, poultry or other captive birds and their eggs in and out of the steps include the housing or isolating of all birds, a stop to all spreading of poultry litter and manure except by a licensed veterinary inspector, and disposal of bird carcasses in accordance with inspectors' said the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) was working "on implementing disease control measures" at both sites, adding it was "essential that all bird keepers take action now to check and reinforce hygiene and biosecurity measures to protect their birds". Vet Phil Thomas said it was "a bit of a shock" to have two separate Welsh sites affected, adding the cases in Haverfordwest were close to where shorebirds live."The country is vigilant throughout the year now, not just during the winter months as we used to be, because that is the peak in terms of bird flu," he told Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast programme."About a year ago things calmed down, and no cases occurred for several months. It's a bit of a disappointment that we have detection of the flu now." What is bird flu? Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds and, in rare cases, can affect are many different types, but the strains of biggest concern in the UK can be spread by close contact with an infected bird - dead or alive - as well as its droppings and advice urges people to avoid contact with live birds where possible, and to wash their hands often with warm water and soap, especially before and after handling food, in particular raw tips for avoiding the spread include using different utensils for cooked and raw meat, making sure meat is cooked until steaming hot.
South Wales Argus
11-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Infill housing on Beaufort Road, Osbaston approved
Permission was first given for a two-storey home in the garden of property, named Rosemary on Beaufort Road in Osbaston, Monmouth in 2020 with approval to demolish the original house and build a replacement granted in 2022. Planning officer Phil Thomas said those permissions remain 'extant meaning they can be implemented' but said the new designs, which needed approval from Monmouthshire County Council's planning committee, reduced the height and width of the property fronting Beaufort Road and which is flanked on either side by existing residential properties. As a result a new access for the home in the back garden will be created between it and neighbouring property, Downlea. Access for the front property, on plot one, would be on the other side of the house. The committee was told the garden house would be now be at a greater distance from a neighbouring property, on Charles Close and maintained at the same distance as the previously approved plans from another and both homes will have off-street parking. The bottom end of the site won't be developed and there will be no lighting on that part to protect wildlife. There were no objections from statutory consultees such as highways and Mr Thomas said: 'The plans are acceptable infill adhering to the suburban nature of this area.' Committee chairman, Caerwent Conservative Phil Murphy, said Monmouth Town Council had objected but said when it was explained there were existing permissions 'they seemed to understand a bit better what was going on.' Labour's Croesonen member Su McConnell said: 'It is a more modest proposal than the original. I understand people are unhappy but they are getting less development than they would have got with the planning permission already approved.' Independent councillor for Wyesham Emma Bryn asked if grasscrete, which allows grass to grow in gaps between concrete casts, could be used for the extended driveway she said: 'That would improve biodiversity and reduce the noise from vehicles.' She also said retaining and improving the existing hedgerows boundaries would protect privacy which neighbours had raised as an objection. Mr Thomas said there would be a condition on soft landscaping and a condition that hard surfacing would have to be agreed could be added. The application including the additional condition were approved unanimously. Permission is subject to a section 106 legal agreement that will require applicant, a Dr R Handley of Levitsfield Close, Monmouth, to make a contribution of around £9,600 towards off site affordable housing in the area.
Powys County Times
08-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Dyfed-Powys Police officer faces action after car crash
A Dyfed Powys Police officer who crashed into an oncoming car while pursuing a suspect has been fined and now faces disciplinary action for gross misconduct. PC Phil Thomas received six penalty points on his driving licence and was issued with a £275 fine after pleading guilty at Swansea Crown Court to careless driving while on duty. It follows a road traffic collision in the Ammanford area on September 29, 2024. PC Thomas, from Llanelli, crossed the white lines in the middle of the road as he took a bend at 59mph and hit a car coming in the opposite direction before slamming into a lamppost. Man fled scene of accident after he had been drinking Appeal after bikers left with 'life-changing' injuries in Powys crash The car which PC Thomas hit suffered 'extensive damage' in the collision and its female driver received minor injuries in the form of cuts and abrasions. The injuries were not serious, though she did attend hospital as a precaution. PC Thomas was originally charged with dangerous driving, which he denied, however he admitted the offence of careless driving which was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service. The officer was removed from frontline policing following the incident and will now be subject to a police disciplinary procedure for gross misconduct. The court heard how a marked police vehicle, driven by PC Thomas, was following a vehicle travelling at excess speed, when he veered into the opposite carriageway. He collided with the offside panel of an oncoming vehicle and then hit a lamppost. Superintendent Phil Rowe, head of the force's professional standards department, said: 'PC Thomas is a police response driver and had undertaken training, which included following and attempting to stop vehicles with the blue lights illuminated. 'But his driving on that day fell below the standard expected of an officer trained in such circumstances. It is only proper that he has been held to account for his actions.' Nik Strobl, prosecuting, said PC Thomas and his colleague pursued a white hatchback car outside the Cottage Inn pub after it drew the attention of officers, with the incident happening at around 2.20am. The court heard the car initially drove at normal speed but when it reached Ammanford College it accelerated away on the 30mph road; the officers illuminated the blue lights on their Vauxhall Vivaro van and pursued it. As the defendant followed the car he took a left-hand bend but under-steered and drifted across the white lines into the middle of the road where he came into contact with a car coming in the opposite direction. The court heard the defendant had passed a police driving course in 2021 which permitted him to drive at 20mph above the speed limit in the course of his duties, but at the time of the collision had been travelling at 59mph in the 30mph zone. Data from the police van showed he had reached a top speed of 68mph during the course of the pursuit. PC Thomas has been re-deployed from frontline duties since the incident and is subject to a parallel gross misconduct investigation by the Professional Standards Department, whereby a determination will be made by the appropriate authority in due course.
