Latest news with #Waterside
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Londonderry school closed due to ongoing security alert
A Londonderry primary school has closed due to a security alert in the Waterside area of the received a report at about 10:15 BST on Wednesday that a suspicious package had been found on the Limavady Road.A public safety operation is under way, with cordons in place in the area of Heron Way and Nelson Drive, however no one has been asked to leave their homes and roads remain open.A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spokeswoman said nearby Ebrington Primary School and Nursery made the precautionary decision to close for the remainder of the day. PSNI Ch Insp Cherith Craig said police understood the level of disruption the alert is causing."But I want to reassure everyone we are working our way through this situation as quickly as possible and appreciate the co-operation and patience from the school community and the public as we do so," the senior officer added.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- BBC News
Londonderry: Noel Logan guilty of possessing pipe bombs
A man has been found guilty of possessing pipe bombs which exploded outside homes in Londonderry between 2017 and Logan, 37, from Nelson Drive in the city had denied three counts of having the devices with intent to endanger life or cause serious Belfast Crown Court on Friday, Mr Justice Fowler said: "I am satisfied the defendant handled the three devices but I do not find that he deployed them.''Logan will be sentenced next month following the completion of a Probation Board report. DNA extracted The court had heard that, following a police investigation, Logan was arrested in December 2020, charged and remanded in custody at the height of the Covid-19 was the prosecution's case that Logan's DNA was found on all three devices which had exploded outside homes in the Waterside between July 2017 and September DNA was extracted from tape found attached to all three remnants of the devices were made safe by Army Technical Officers before being removed for science experts reported that in two of the cases there was a one in a billion chance that the DNA found on the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) did not match Logan. Following the examination of a third device, the expert said there was a one in 1.7 million chance it did not belong to the the trial, the prosecution also stated Logan lived less than a mile and a half from the three targeted his defence, Logan claimed he had "no involvement in any way whatsoever with the pipe bomb attacks'', and that he had never seen a pipe bomb "never mind touch one''.He claimed there was an innocent explanation for how his DNA was found on tape attached to the defendant alleged he used the tape to attach flags to lamp posts in the Waterside in the run up to 12 July celebrations, and the tape roll would be thrown into a box after they had finished. 'Crude devices' He claimed someone else who had access to the box could have used the tape roll in the construction of the pipe court heard the ''crude devices'' consisted of copper piping up to 500 millimetres in length, tape, small gun propellant and were fitted with ball bearings and nails, which acted as shrapnel when the device they contained low odour explosives, Mr Justice Fowler said they were "extremely effective anti-personnel devices capable of inflicting serious injury or death''."I am satisfied the defendant had the necessary intention to cause serious injury or to enable another to do so.''Mr Justice Fowler remanded Logan into custody.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Virginia International Tattoo will bring more than 100,000 to the Scope and bring $20 million to the economy
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — More than 100,000 people are expected to attend the Virginia International Tattoo, which last year had an economic impact of more than $20 million and is expected to have a similar impact this year. Virginia International Tattoo Just days away, the Virginia International Tattoo, which began in 1997 with just a single show at Scope Arena, is the unofficial start to our season of festivals. Now, more than 20,000 students from the region see the largest Tattoo in North America, and the Virginia Arts Festival expects more than 110,000 people to attend, making it the largest Tattoo in North America. Virginia International Tattoo a salute to 250 years of service, sacrifice 'The economic impact last year was estimated to be over $20 million just from that one week,' said Scott Jackson, the director and producer of the Virginia International Tattoo. Jackson said the show is for all ages and brings in people from all over. 'We also have multiple NATO countries involved,' Jackson said. 'And not only is the cast international, so is the audience. In fact, last year, I think overall at the Arts Festival, we had people come from 49 states and I think 11 international points of origin.' Bryan K. Stephens, CEO and president of the Hampton Roads Chamber, said it has a collective impact, and the entire region sees benefits. 'Old-fashioned epic' Virginia International Tattoo to feature new events 'That is huge for the hotels and restaurants and our tourism industry here in Hampton Roads,' Stephens said. 'So it's just not Norfolk, it's the entire Hampton Roads region.' One of those places that is bracing for the increase in customers is Waterside. It has a meals voucher program and feeds all the cast. But when people come to see the show, they stop by for a quick bite. 'We will experience a pretty big jump in business, particularly for the lunches, because most of them tend to come out before the shows,' said Janet Aguilar, Waterside director of marketing. Stephens said it is the beginning of the busy season the 757 will start seeing. 'Tourism is the third pillar of our economy, behind the Department of Defense spending and the Port of Virginia,' Stephens said. 'And so any way that we can exploit tourism here in Hampton Roads just really enhances our economy.' The Virginia Arts Festival said more than 32% of ticket sales come from outside the area, resulting in thousands of visitors touring museums and attractions and going shopping. 'So we really create[d] a great package,' Jackson said. 'The Tattoo [is] the centerpiece, but there's all these other things to do.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Los Angeles Times
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Simon Fisher-Becker, British actor known for ‘Doctor Who' and ‘Harry Potter,' dies at 63
British actor Simon Fisher-Becker, who was best known for his appearances on TV series 'Doctor Who' and the first 'Harry Potter' movie, has died. Kathleen Barry, who represented Fisher-Becker, announced the death of her client and longtime 'close personal friend' Sunday on Facebook. The actor's husband also confirmed the news on Facebook in a brief post. Barry did not share additional details about the actor's death (including a cause) but remembered him as 'always kind, gracious and interested in everyone.' He was 63. 'He helped me out enormously in so many ways,' Barry wrote. 'My condolences go out to his husband Tony, his brother, nieces and nephews and his legion of fans.' Fisher-Becker was born in London on Nov. 25, 1961, and enjoyed a varied acting career that began in the late 1980s and spanned TV series, movies, commercials and plays. His resumé included dozens of TV acting credits, most notably for BBC series 'Puppy Love' and 'Doctor Who.' In the hit sci-fi series, Fisher-Becker shared the screen with Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith as Dorium Maldovar, the blue-skinned owner of an intergalactic trading post known as the Maldovarium. Though his tenure as Dorium on 'Doctor Who' lasted only three epsiodes, Fisher-Becker reprised the role for other projects inspired by the long-running BBC juggernaut. Prior to joining the 'Doctor Who' cast, Fisher-Becker was a longtime fan of the series, Barry said. 'I shall never forget the phone call I made to him when he was offered the part,' she added in her statement. His television credits also included appearances in series 'Waterside,' '3some,' 'Getting On,' 'Afterlife,' '99-1' and 'Hale and Pace.' Fisher-Becker also appeared in TV movies 'An Ungentlemanly Act,' the 2012 film adaptation of 'Les Misérables' and 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,' the first installment in the film franchise. In the latter, he appeared as the Fat Friar, one of the specters who haunt the halls of Hogwarts. On stage, Fisher-Becker appeared in productions of 'The Busybody,' 'The Emperor of the Moon,' 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' 'Macbeth' and a one-man show of 'Hamlet: Tragedy of a Fat Man.' He also penned a semi-autobiographical trilogy and published vlogs to his YouTube page. In his final vlog, posted Oct. 31, Fisher-Becker recalled major personal and world events that occurred on previous Halloweens — including moving into a bungalow with his husband. Fisher-Becker also used his final vlog to advocate for fat acceptance. He railed against 'nonsense' reports linking the use of sick time in the workforce to overweight employees. He cited his non-acting career during which he says he only took 'eight days sick leave over 40 years.' After slamming the assumptions employers may have about larger people, Fisher-Becker ended his video with a call to action. 'All I have to say is give fat people a chance.'
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Storm puts beach road at risk of closure
A major road could be forced to shut tonight as huge waves and strong winds continue to batter the county. Storm Herminia has caused widespread disruption today, and Portland Beach Road may close as conditions show no sign of easing. A flood warning is in place for the area, stating: 'Waves are forecast to overtop coastal defences at A354 Chiswell, Brandy Row, Pebble Lane, Victoria Square up to the junction with Queens Road, the car parks along the A354 and the yard along Lerret Road.' Dorset Council said: 'The Environment Agency, supported by emergency services, are monitoring sea levels and possible overtopping of flood defences, debris and inundation of Portland Beach Road. 'There is a risk of closure between 10pm tonight and 2am tomorrow morning.' Further updates are expected soon. It comes as more flood warnings - encouraging people to 'act now' come into force. At West Bay, areas most at risk of flooding include properties situated behind East Beach, including Pier Terrace, Waterside, The Bay House, The Old Watch House, Bridport Arms Hotel, Seagulls, Swains Row, The Old Timber Yard, Station Road, Station Way and George Street.
