Latest news with #TrashBash
IOL News
08-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Join the Trash Bash: beach clean-up for World Turtle Day
A green turtle in their last stages of rehabilitation in the Two Oceans Aquarium I&J Ocean Exhibit, before eventual release back into the ocean. The Two Oceans Aquarium will participate in a significant beach clean-up initiative next Saturday, in collaboration with a local radio station, to celebrate World Turtle Day. Set against the stunning backdrop of Lagoon Beach, the event, aptly named Trash Bash, aims to engage the community in removing litter from one of Table Bay's most polluted shorelines. This event will kick off on World Turtle Day, which falls on 23 May, a date that highlights the urgent need for ocean conservation efforts. Trish Taylor, head of Primedia Cares, emphasised the importance of cleanliness in the marine environment. 'Every piece of plastic we remove from the beach is one less threat to our turtles, our ocean, and ultimately ourselves. Trash Bash isn't just a cleanup—it's a statement that we care, we act, and we believe in the power of community to drive change.' Helen Lockhart, Conservation and Sustainability Manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium, said, 'May is an important month for ocean conservation awareness with Endangered Species Day on 17 May, Biodiversity Day on 22 May, and World Turtle Day on 23 May. These conservation issues are intricately connected, especially as sea turtles are an indicator species for the status of other marine animals and the health of the ocean.' She said if turtle numbers are in decline, 'the future of our oceans is also at stake.' The global crisis of ocean biodiversity loss is particularly alarming for South Africa, where five of the seven endangered sea turtle species are found. Of major concern is plastic pollution, plastic pollution represents one of the most significant threats to these marine creatures. Talitha Noble-Trull, the Turtle Conservation Centre Manager, explained the dire consequences of plastic ingestion. 'Turtles often mistake plastic items floating in the ocean for food. Once consumed, they slowly starve as their stomachs fill up with debris, preventing them from feeling hunger or digesting actual food. Turtles can also get entangled in plastic debris, which further endangers their lives.' The statistics surrounding plastic use and its devastating repercussions are sobering. Each year, an estimated 488 kilotonnes of plastic enter the environment, contributing to pollution across various mediums—275 kt through open burning, 145 kt to land, and 68 kt to aquatic systems. Almost every assessed marine species now encounters plastic pollution, with scientists observing negative impacts on nearly 90% of these groups. It's not just wildlife that suffers; human health is also at risk from microplastics, which have been discovered in drinking water, food, and even breast milk. Much of the plastic contaminating South African beaches comes from nearby urban areas, making clean-ups like the one at Lagoon Beach crucial. This beach, straddling the mouths of the Diep and Salt Rivers, collects various pollutants that flow into the sea, including plastics, chemicals, and other harmful materials. At the Two Oceans Aquarium's Turtle Conservation Centre, the distressing effects of marine pollution become all too apparent. In fact, 71% of the turtles admitted to the Centre excrete plastic within weeks of their arrival. While some turtles sadly cannot be saved, the statistics from 2024 reveal that 205 turtles undergoing rehabilitation had consumed plastic, excreting a staggering total of 1,306 pieces. The situation remains bleak as the 2025 stranding season commences, with 24.4% of admitted turtles already passing a total of 121 pieces of plastic just in the first three months of the year. Despite this grim reality, there is still hope. By making conscious choices regarding our daily plastic use, individuals can play a crucial role in combating ocean pollution. As Phumza Jongihlathi, Community Relationship Coordinator at the Two Oceans Aquarium and Trash Bash organiser noted, 'Beach clean-ups are important ways to Join In, not only to bring a community together to make a difference but also to create awareness around the dangers of plastic pollution to our marine environments.'
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
MDOT hosts litter prevention and clean-up events
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – With Earth Day recognized on April 22 and April designated as Keep America Beautiful Month, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will help spruce up state roadsides by hosting clean-up and litter prevention events. In partnership with Keep Mississippi Beautiful, MDOT will hold Trash Bash events across the state. Fossil of mosasaur vertebra discovered in Mississippi 'Keeping Mississippi's highways clean isn't just for aesthetic purposes – it's about environmental responsibility, economic development and community pride,' said MDOT Executive Director Brad White. 'I'm proud of MDOT's litter prevention efforts, and I encourage everyone to help solve this problem by simply putting trash where it belongs – in a garbage can or recycling bin.' Upcoming Trash Bash events: District 1 – Lee County – April 24 District 3 – Yazoo County – April 24 In addition to the events listed above, a Trash Bash event will be held in Jackson on May 15. 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.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Sheriff cautions drivers in Darke County this weekend: Here's why
GREENVILLE, Ohio (WDTN) — Drivers should use extra caution throughout Darke County this weekend as over 800 volunteers clean up the roads. The Darke County Sheriff's Office is cautioning drivers to keep alert while driving on April 12-13. This weekend is the 18th annual Trash Bash, where volunteers will clean up 500 miles of roadways in Darke County. Volunteers will join the Darke County Solid Waste Management District to walk along roads and pick up trash. Extra vehicles may be parked along or near roads while trash pickup occurrs. Volunteers will be wearing green safety-colored shirts to increase visibility. Pick up is scheduled to go from dusk until dawn on both days. Drivers should slow down and pay attention if they see volunteers in the area. The Darke County Sheriff's Office says deputies will be out patrolling all weekend to enforce traffic laws. 'As always, you should not engage in distracted driving while operating a vehicle and keep your attention focused on driving your vehicle,' said the Sheriff's Office. 'Practice defensive driving techniques by looking ahead and being prepared for any problems that may occur.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Former Smyth County School Board chairman pleads guilty in child exploitation case
ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — A former vice chairman of the Smyth County School Board pleaded guilty to several counts Thursday after he was arrested in a child exploitation investigation. Todd Stewart Williams, 54, of Chilhowie, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Abingdon. 'Trash Bash' cleanup event taking place at Steele Creek Park According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Williams spent more than $10,000 to entice at least six minors into sending him nude images and sexually explicit videos. Authorities became aware of Williams' criminal actions in September 2022 when a 15-year-old teenager in Oklahoma reported to the FBI that Williams had requested nude images and videos of him via Snapchat. The teen told investigators he met Williams in a Snapchat group for gay teenage males. 'Soon after they began chatting, Williams reached out to the teen and offered to make in-app purchases in an online video game in exchange for nude pictures of the teen,' the U.S. attorney's office for the Western District of Virginia said in a release. An investigation by the FBI found other instances of Williams exploiting minors, including using Snapchat to talk to a 12-year-old and offering to purchase items for an online game before offering to buy nude pictures and videos, according to the DOJ. Investigators said Williams sent the victim nearly $1,000 between August 2022 and January 2024 for nude images and videos. Prosecutors also said Williams paid another teen to take photos and videos of the teen sexually abusing his younger, 10-year-old stepbrother. 'As directed by Williams, the teen would approach his stepbrother in his bedroom at night and force his stepbrother to watch pornography and engage in sexual acts,' the release said. 'Because the teen reached his $600 monthly limit on Cash App transactions, Williams mailed him a debit card hidden inside a pair of shoes to ensure he was able to purchase his videos.' According to the DOJ, Williams paid more than $3,500 for nude images and videos of the teen and his stepbrother over a six-month period. In another case, Williams allegedly paid more than $3,000 to a teenage boy for nude images and videos of him and his teenage boyfriend. 'In all, Williams spent more than $10,000 buying nude images from at least six underage male victims,' the release said. The former school board vice chairman faces 15–30 years in prison, according to the DOJ. 'The Internet has expanded the manner in which young people can be targeted by those looking to exploit them,' Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee said. 'Importantly, this case demonstrates that even those who are entrusted by our communities to oversee the welfare of our children may harbor intentions to exploit them, and for that reason we must be ever vigilant and responsive when our young people report abuse.' Lee thanked the FBI for its diligence in the case. 'There is no place in our communities for someone who manipulates and abuses children, especially by someone in a position of influence,' said Stanley Meador, special agent in charge of the FBI's Richmond Division. 'In addition to committing numerous reprehensible acts against minors, Williams betrayed the trust of parents in Smyth County where he was elected to oversee the education and well-being of students.' Feeding Southwest Virginia, Food Lion distribute 600 boxes of food On Thursday, Williams pleaded guilty to four counts of persuading, inducing, enticing, and coercing and attempting to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce one or more minors to engage in any sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct, in interstate commerce. Williams resigned from the school board following his arrest in August. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Over 1,000 pounds of trash removed from St. Johns County beaches during New Year's cleanup
In one day, more than 1,000 pounds of trash were removed from St. Johns County beaches during the New Year's Trash Bash Beach Cleanup. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< It was the second year of the event. Krista Joseph, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, District 4, as well as Commissioner Ann Taylor, District 5, and Commissioner Clay Murphy, District 3 were all in attendance, according to a new release. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 'Trash Bash is great, but it needs to be every day,' Joseph said in the release. 'This is our county. This is our life. This is our back yard. We want to take care of it.' On Jan 24., a total of 250 volunteers from 20 different county departments and community organizations teamed up for the event at eight different locations. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
