Latest news with #townofficials
CBC
an hour ago
- Climate
- CBC
Power out in Leaf Rapids due to wildfire that claimed several buildings this week
Manitoba Hydro says power is out in the northern town of Leaf Rapids after a wildfire entered the community earlier this week and destroyed some infrastructure. The Crown corporation says some poles and lines are down in the community, located over 750 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. The public utility says it is still unsafe to enter the town to fully assess the damage or make repairs, meaning it may be a while before power can be restored. A fire jumped the Churchill River on Wednesday evening and entered the community through its industrial area, leaving one home and several abandoned structures damaged. The town says in a Facebook post that the internet connection is also out in the community, which is making it hard for officials to get information from those still on the ground. The town of roughly 350 has been evacuated for more than two weeks.
NHK
2 days ago
- NHK
Hokkaido town installs high-performance cameras to detect brown bears
A town in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido has begun installing high-performance cameras to detect the appearance of brown bears nearly in real time. A newspaper delivery man was killed by a brown bear in Fukushima Town on July 12. That bear was shot dead, but brown bears have often been seen rummaging through garbage in residential areas. The town installed 11 surveillance cameras after the man's death. On Wednesday, workers began setting up five high-performance cameras with cooperation from a major telecom firm. Two of the cameras were set under a bridge in the Hikura district, where a brown bear was caught in a trap earlier on Wednesday. The district is adjacent to where the fatal attack occurred. The new cameras can film at night using infrared. They can detect moving objects at a distance of up to about 25 meters, and send the images by email almost in real time to town officials. Fukushima Town officials say they will be able to keep residents safe by detecting bears early, and quickly notifying hunters.
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Some Stratford residents 'dreading' changes to town's waterfront
New 'There's some significant concerns about the people who live in and around this area,' says councillor Stratford has some big plans for its waterfront, and on Monday night, people in the town had a chance to have their say. The town is proposing a series of changes to its official plan as it tries to create a more vibrant waterfront and downtown. Marie O'Hanley of Stratford said she's concerned about plans to rezone areas next to long-established homes in that part of town, and is 'dreading' some of the proposed changes. "That's people's backyards, it's vacant land yes, but it's people's backyards. It's not my backyard, so it's not NIMBY," O'Hanley said, referring to the popular acronym for "not-in-my-back-yard" reactions to developments. "But that's just not right that that will become this mixed-used zone. I don't really actually understand what mixed-use zone is, other than it sounds like you can do whatever you want there." 'Not very efficient' As part of its official plan, Stratford is proposing to rezone 28 parcels of land along Stratford and Hopeton roads, near the waterfront. Town officials say the current zoning is "not very efficient for the type of development we would like to see in a key commercial area." They would like to see a "mixed-use neighbourhood" that would include a range of retail, restaurant, and commercial properties on the ground floors with residential units above. The town also wants to "encourage vibrant, pedestrian-focused streetscapes." It's proposing buildings up to six storeys tall in that area, with the top two floors set back so they don't dominate the skyline. Part of the proposed amendments would also ban drive-thrus in that waterfront zone although those already established would be allowed to stay. 'We have to pay attention to these borders' Jeff MacDonald, chair of planning, development and heritage, said there can be tension between different planning zones. He hopes the town can take steps to reduce those tensions. "There's some significant concerns about the people who live in and around this area now," said MacDonald. "We have to pay attention to these borders between zones… and what we're going to really work on is making sure that whatever this ultimately looks like is that border is absolutely respected, and that it's protected, and to make sure that the experience that people have in that neighbouring area is preserved." Part of the reason why Stratford is proceeding with these changes now is because the federal Housing Accelerator Fund requires the town to create about 4,000 new housing units over the next few years. MacDonald said the proposed changes would help meet that target. 'I don't think you're being upfront' Richard Furlong of Stratford said he's concerned about what impact the proposal may have on people's view of the waterfront. "I just think to just put up a whole bunch of houses and block off basically the view for the entire town and to have it only for a few people — I don't know if that's such a great idea," said Furlong. Furlong encouraged town officials to monitor developers to ensure compliance with the rules. "I don't think you're being upfront with us about what you are planning on doing and what you have done to make sure that these things are addressed," he said. Another resident, Dieter Friesen, said he supports increased density but wants public transit and walkability to be priorities. "I think you need to look at parking minimums. If you are going to have good density, and you want to create a walkable downtown, you want it so people don't need a car at all," said Friesen. 'Their concerns are noted' The planning board will meet in early August to discuss the proposed changes and make a recommendation to council. A council vote is expected next month. MacDonald said he rejects the term NIMBY. He said these are residents, and it's important that councillors hear what they have to say. "We have a responsibility to listen to them and we have to make sure that their concerns are noted."
CTV News
17-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Fire danger and water use limits in effect across the Township of Springwater
Due to the extended period of hot and dry weather, the Township of Springwater has issued a temporary fire and water ban. The ban is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice is provided by the town. In order to make sure there is enough water for unexpected emergencies, town officials ask all residents to avoid doing the following during this time: Do not: fill up swimming pools, water existing lawns, water trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens, wash vehicles, use water toys, waterslides and water sprinklers, wash paved driveways, wash siding and windows and water new lawns. According to Springwater, failure to comply with the current water ban will result in a minimum fine of $150, enforced by municipal law enforcement, as per the Water Restrictions By-law 2009-042. All outdoor burning is also prohibited during the time, all fire permits are void until the ban is lifted. This also includes the use of fireworks within the township. Anyone caught in contravention of the fire ban will be fined a minimum of $700, as outlined in By-law 2019-068, schedule C.
CBS News
25-06-2025
- CBS News
Cape Cod town expanding restrictions at popular beaches for July 4th
A Cape Cod town is bringing back and expanding restrictions at its popular beaches for the July 4th holiday. Authorities in Dennis say "enhanced safety measures" made a big difference in 2024 compared to previous years, when rowdy crowds started fights and trashed the beaches. Town officials implemented new regulations last year to address a dramatic increase in "unsafe and dangerous conduct" between 2019 and 2023, Dennis Police Chief John Brady said. The special rules for the holiday focus on parking and behavior at the beaches. The affected locations are Mayflower Beach, Chapin Beach and Bayview Beach as well as West Dennis Beach, which is a new addition for this year. Dennis beach restrictions for July 4th Daily parking passes will not be sold or accepted at the four beaches on July 4th. Only people with residential, seasonal or weekly parking stickers will be allowed entrance to the beach parking lots. A parking ban will be in full effect in neighborhoods and businesses next to the beaches. Violators will be ticketed and possibly towed. Drivers will be stopped at checkpoints to make sure they have the right parking stickers. Ubers and Lyfts will be stopped about 1.2 miles from Mayflower Beach and 2.2 miles from Chapin Beach. Police will have command posts at the Mayflower and West Dennis Beaches. "There will be zero tolerance for alcohol, drug use, overly loud music and unsafe behavior at these beaches," Brady said. Positive feedback Town leaders say there has been positive feedback from residents about last year's restrictions. There were no arrests in 2024. In 2023, there were 13 arrests, including an assault on a police officer, and beachgoers left behind a big mess. Beach and recreation director Dustin Pineau said before last year's restrictions, lifeguards and beach staff were "overwhelmed" by the huge crowds on the Fourth. He said the combination of alcohol, large crowds and reckless behavior were a "recipe for disaster." Trash on Mayflower Beach in Dennis Dennis Police "After the Fourth of July our beaches were littered with trash," he said. "Our protected dunes were also walked on, urinated on, trash thrown on them and in even one case, lit on fire." Click here for a full list of beach restrictions for July 4th in Dennis.
