Latest news with #Whittle
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Albany State Emergency Service volunteer Ben Whittle takes out Great Southern Volunteer of the Year Award
Albany SES volunteer Ben Whittle has won the top award at the Great Southern's Volunteer of the Year Awards with a range of community organisations and individuals recognised on the night. The annual awards recognise the work of volunteers across the region in a myriad of capacities, from the Albany Returned Services League to the Cancer Council, and from the emergency services to arts and radio. Mr Whittle, who accepted his Great Southern volunteer of the year award at a ceremony at Albany Entertainment Centre last Thursday, said he was proud to serve his community as an emergency services volunteer. 'It was good to get the acknowledgement more than anything, we're definitely kept busy and we do a hard job sometimes, so it's nice to be nominated and to be recognised by the community,' he said. 'There's always a new challenge and a new adventure with the SES, and I love a challenge, so I've loved my time volunteering with them and I'm planning on sticking around for a fair while yet. 'Volunteering is always an incredibly rewarding way to give back to the community, and there's a role out there for everyone, whether that's with us, we're always after even caterers and communications operators and that sort of thing, or elsewhere, there's so many different volunteer associations out there that there'll be something for everyone to do.' Mr Whittle won the coveted award out of a field of more than 10 nominees, including two other finalists: Cancer Council's Debby Davies and Albany RSL's Stephen Edmonds. The second major award of the night was the volunteer organisation of the year, which was awarded to Albany Historic Whaling Station. Managers Jen Bane and Alice Ackley received the award on the organisation's behalf with Ms Ackley acknowledging all the hard working volunteers in the room on the night and thanking all the organisation's supporters and volunteers. 'We're very honoured to be accepting this award tonight,' she said. 'We have some of our fabulous volunteers here who, each and every day, helped bring the story of our site. 'We offer such a wealth of experience to visitors of all backgrounds, and it's through our volunteers that this experience is just brought to a whole new level. 'Working 365 days a year, we've got a fabulous team that undertake our maintenance, greeting guests, welcoming people to site, looking after our plans and our wildlife, we're just so proud and honoured to have them as part of our team, and just delighted to be here tonight.' The four other nominees were Soroptimist International of Albany, Great Southern FM radio, RSLWA Albany branch and the Albany Over 50s Recreation Association.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Special anniversary marking 40 years of celebrating town's rich heritage
Forty years of celebrating, preserving and promoting a town's rich heritage will be marked this weekend. Horwich Heritage will celebrate four decades of existence on Saturday, May 24 from 10am to 1pm, with the opening of a special anniversary exhibition, which will run until July 31. Both the Mayor of Bolton and Mayor of Horwich will be there, with faces past and present who have been involved with the group also attending. The society was formed in 1985, in the wake of the closure of the Loco Works. Starting from nothing, it has grown to the stage where it has its own heritage centre on Beaumont Road and 300 Whittle and Geoff Waine, the group's 'founding fathers' (Image: Horwich Heritage) Chairman, Stuart Whittle, has been with the group from the start. He said: "It is quite an achievement. You can feel both proud and pleased with the way things have progressed over the years, coming from no money and no home to where we are now. "We are a fully-fledged heritage centre, we have over 300 members and have a lot of activities. We have every right to feel pleased with that." Speaking about Saturday, he said: "It will be a tribute to everyone who has been involved over the years. Unfortunately some of those are not with us anymore. A 'Wartime' theme at Horwich Carnival, 1992 (Image: Horwich Heritage)Read more: Fascinating insight into ancient history at exhibition - including Bronze Age dig Read more: 'There were wild celebrations when news of German surrender was announced' Read more: Celebrating Bolton's rich heritage at centre "But our members have been able to energise us and we have a good community. We want to keep it going in this way for as long as possible. "We have managed to recruit younger committee members and the membership is growing, so there is every hope and belief that this society can keep going for many years to come." A visit to Horwich Loco Works in 2018 (Image: Horwich Heritage) The group will also be running events to celebrate its anniversary over the coming year, including walks, talks at the centre and a celebratory party at its AGM on June 10. To keep up to date with goings on, visit their website here: He added: "The success of Horwich Heritage has been built on 'many shoulders' over the past 40 years and in particular we should remember the outstanding service given by Geoff Waine, Norman Pendlebury, Terry Almond, Geoff Pollitt and committee members Jean & Ken Webster and Betty Ainsworth. Sadly only Betty is still with us. "None of this success could have been achieved without the exceptional efforts of the society's committee and volunteers who ensure that the centre is open 6 days a week and that a steady stream of new speakers, events, exhibitions, displays and archive material is produced."
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
1 deputy killed, 1 critically injured by man with bombs near Augusta, sheriff says
The Brief A routine traffic stop near Augusta led to a shooting, resulting in the death of Deputy Brandon Sikes and critical injuries to Deputy Gavin White. The suspect, James Blake Montgomery, initially appeared cooperative but later opened fire with a converted fully-automatic weapon as deputies walked back to their patrol car. Montgomery retreated to his motor home, leading to a standoff involving multiple agencies; he was found dead after attempting to flee. Investigators later discovered pipe bombs, firearms, and ammunition in Montgomery's vehicle. Deputy White is recovering from surgery, while the community mourns Deputy Sikes. COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. - One deputy is dead and another is in critical condition after a traffic stop near Augusta led to a shooting. After digging into the suspect's background, officials are learning there is a lot more to this tragedy. What we know Officials say the driver of a motor home, later identified as James Blake Montgomery, was initially "cooperative" and "non-threatening" when he was first approached on I-20 near Exit 196 Saturday night. The deputies who stopped him were there to inform him they were serving a temporary protective order for a domestic violence case with his wife, Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle explained during a news conference Sunday afternoon. At first, it appeared Montgomery understood it was a simple stop and that he would be allowed to leave freely afterward. But, as the three officers walked back to their patrol car, Sheriff Whittle said Montgomery pulled out a 9mm AR Pistol that had been converted into a fully-automatic weapon. He opened fire, striking two of them. One of those deputies, Brandon Sikes, was killed on site. Deputy Gavin White was shot in the face. Sheriff Whittle said White is alive, but left in critical condition. SIMILAR NEWS: Fulton County deputy shot in downtown Atlanta drive-by; shooter on the run Multiple agencies – including the U.S. Marshals Service, the Georgia State Patrol and two bomb squads – reported to the scene after Montgomery reportedly retreated to the motor home and led them into a standoff. Residents were asked to avoid the area while they tried to get him to come out. The responding officers used drones to scope out the scene. That's when they thought they spotted bomb materials inside the vehicle. They later determined those items were pipe bombs and other paraphernalia – including one that was rigged with a remote switch. There were also a number of guns, "numerous magazines" and boxes of additional ammo. The officers worked for hours to find a way to safely enter the motor home and disable the weapons. During the confrontation, Montgomery attempted to drive away, but veered off the roadway into cable barriers. He was found dead inside. Dig deeper There's still not a lot known about Montgomery and what his intentions were with the weapons found in his vehicle. Sheriff Whittle said he ran a steroid operation where he was selling illegal drugs. That operation may be connected to another set of suspicious items found in the motor home. "We found some … jars – I don't really know how to describe that other than to tell you they're clear jars with pipes coming out of them. There's some type of liquid in them, we do not know what that is at this time. We don't know whether that may be some type of bomb-making material, or whether it may be some type of drug paraphernalia." He was also involved in a domestic violence case with his wife. Local media reported that just two days before the shooting, Montgomery faced a judge who ordered him to turn over all his weapons to the sheriff's office. "There were rumors that he said he would not go down without a fight," Whittle told reporters. His body will undergo an autopsy at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Crime Lab. What's next Deputy White has undergone surgery on his sinus and oral cavities. Whittle said White is communicative and in control of his limbs, but he likely has a long road of recovery ahead of him. "I can assure you it's going to be a tough road for him. But, he is very upbeat and incredibly strong, and we're hoping that he comes back to full duty in record time," Sheriff Whittle said. "Unfortunately, we're going to have to have a funeral for a very brave officer who has been with us since 2018," Whittle said, while appearing to grow emotional. "He was one of our crime suppression officers. His name is Brandon Sikes. He is survived by his wife, Amber, who is also an employee here of the sheriff's office. And it's going to be a difficult time for the sheriff's office, but we're going to get through this. We just ask that everyone keeps us in their thoughts and prayers." On Monday, Deputy Sikes will undergo an autopsy. What they're saying "Marty, the girls, and I are praying for the loved ones and colleagues of the Columbia County sheriffs deputy that has fallen in the line of duty, as well as his fellow law enforcement officer injured tonight while protecting his fellow Georgians. "As they remain in our hearts and prayers, we're also painfully reminded of why those who wear a badge have more than earned our enduring respect and appreciation." "I join all Georgians in grieving Columbia County Sheriff's Deputy Brandon Sikes, whose life was taken this weekend serving our State in the line of duty, and I wish Sheriff's Deputy Gavin White a full recovery from his injuries. "My prayers are with Deputy Sikes' and Deputy White's families, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, and all law enforcement personnel who keep our communities safe." "Our hearts break for those in Columbia County as we mourn the loss of a Sheriff's Deputy & await updates on a second officer injured in the line of duty. "Anyone willing to put on the uniform every day in a job that's not safe, with somebody waiting for them to come home at the end of the shift, deserves our unwavering support & continued appreciation. "We join in praying for the family of this fallen Deputy, his fellow officer, & all who served with him." The Source The information provided was originally reported by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Gov. Brian Kemp's response was posted on his X account at 8:19 p.m. on April 26, 2025.
CNN
28-04-2025
- CNN
Georgia deputy killed, another shot during traffic stop
One Georgia deputy was killed and a second was shot in the face after a motor home driver they had pulled over opened fire, law enforcement officials said Sunday. The driver of the motor home also died in the incident. James Blake Montgomery was pulled over Saturday evening on Interstate 20 near Augusta by deputies who tried to serve a temporary protective order for a domestic violence case. Montgomery at first appeared cooperative, but produced a fully automatic pistol when two of the deputies turned away, Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle said at a briefing. 'He fired on three deputies from the sheriff's office, striking two of them,' Whittle said. Killed at the scene was Deputy Brandon Sikes, who had been with the sheriff's office since 2018. He is survived by his wife, who also works for the sheriff's office. Deputy Gavin White was shot in the face and was in critical condition. White was in surgery Sunday, according to the sheriff. Other deputies were able to return fire. Montgomery was found dead inside the motor home. An autopsy was scheduled. Investigators found pipe bombs inside the vehicle, including one rigged with a remote switch. They also found more guns, Whittle said. Helicopters and drones were in the air as part of the effort to capture Montgomery, the deputies said. Gov. Brian Kemp issued a statement on X about the shooting late Saturday. 'Marty, the girls, and I are praying for the loved ones and colleagues of the Columbia County sheriffs deputy that has fallen in the line of duty, as well as his fellow law enforcement officer injured tonight while protecting his fellow Georgians,' Kemp said. 'As they remain in our hearts and prayers, we're also painfully reminded of why those who wear a badge have more than earned our enduring respect and appreciation.'
27-04-2025
1 officer dead, 1 injured after shootout with suspect in Georgia
Columbia County Deputy Brandon Sikes, a crime suppression officer with the department since 2018, was killed during a standoff along Interstate 20, according to Columbia County Sheriff Clay N. Whittle on Sunday. Sikes is survived by his wife, Amber, who is also an employee of the sheriff's office in Columbia County, Georgia. Another deputy, Gavin White, who is also a crime suppression offering, was shot during the incident and taken to the hospital for treatment, Whittle said. The deadly encounter began Saturday afternoon around 6:30 p.m. when the two deputies attempted to serve a temporary protective order to a suspect identified as James Blake Montgomery. During the encounter, both deputies were shot. Montgomery then barricaded himself inside an RV, police said. Montgomery tried to drive away under fire, police said, and the RV crashed into a median barrier on I-20, westbound next Exit 194. Law enforcement quickly surrounded the vehicle, they said, deploying drones and robots to assess the situation. Initially, they said, it was unclear whether Montgomery was alive inside. After a prolonged standoff, Montgomery was found dead inside the motorhome, officials said. Sheriff's officials, aided by local, state and federal agencies, discovered multiple pipe bombs and bomb-making materials inside the RV, including at least one device rigged with a remote switch, according to Whittle on Sunday. Beneath the motorhome, investigators found several propane cylinders, raising concerns about the potential for a catastrophic explosion, the sheriff continued. Deputy Andrew Brown was among those who engaged Montgomery during the firefight. Whittle credited Brown with saving the life of another wounded deputy, Gavin White, by dragging him across three patrol cars and driving him directly to Doctor's Hospital while still under fire. "Probably saving his life, according to the doctors," Whittle said. Authorities also recovered an illegally modified fully automatic AR-style rifle, numerous magazines, several handguns and boxes of ammunition from the motorhome, they said. Investigators also found jars containing unknown liquids, which could be bomb-making materials or related to Montgomery's previously known illegal steroid operation, Whittle added. Both Sikes and Montgomery are undergoing autopsies at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab in Atlanta. Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson posted a statement on Facebook on Saturday, saying, "Heartbroken and praying for the Columbia County Sheriff's Office and our neighbors in Columbia County. Our prayers are with the families of the fallen, the entire Sheriff's Office, and all who are grieving this unimaginable loss. We honor their sacrifice and pray for the difficult days ahead." Columbia County is situated within the Augusta-Richmond County metropolitan area. Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp also shared a statement on X on Saturday, offering condolences and saying that he is "painfully reminded of why those who wear a badge have more than earned our enduring respect and appreciation."
