A disabled woman has lost the car she relied on to attend vital hospital appointments after the government decided she no longer needed higher level mobility support without bothering to carry out a face-to-face assessment of her needs.Jo Jones (pictured), from Stockport, had her Motability vehicle removed today (Thursday) because of the decision to reduce the amount she receives for mobility support through the new personal independence payment (PIP).Disabled activists said that her case demonstrated the impact of the government’s “vicious” social security reforms, its attempts to cut spending on disability benefits, and the impact of introducing PIP, particularly on those with mobility impairments.Jones only began receiving PIP in April 2014, after having her leg amputated the previous year.She was previously an accountant, but was dismissed from her job in June 2014 because she was not able to tell her employer when she would be able to return to work following health problems.Due to diabetes, high blood pressure, neuropathy, asthma, depression, the amputation, and being prone to leg ulcers in her remaining leg, she was awarded the enhanced rate for both the mobility and daily living components, after a face-to-face assessment by government contractors.She used the enhanced rate mobility component to lease a Motability vehicle, which she has been driving for the last year.But 12 months after securing the PIP award she was told she was being reassessed. Two months later – without any further face-to-face assessment – the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) told her she no longer qualified for the enhanced mobility rate, and so would have to return her Motability car.She asked DWP to reconsider its decision, in a process known as a “mandatory reconsideration”, which has to be carried out before she can appeal to a tribunal.Just three days later she received a call from a DWP civil servant who confirmed that the reason she had lost her entitlement to the enhanced mobility rate was because she could walk between 20 and 50 metres without any pain.Under disability living allowance (DLA) – which is being replaced by PIP for working-age claimants – someone is eligible for the higher rate if they cannot walk more than 50 metres, but under PIP this criteria has been cut to just 20 metres.Jones insists that she cannot walk more than 20 metres without pain, and that a short walk also leaves her breathless, due to asthma.She said: “I can get from my front door to my car and I get breathless. I can get across the road but I am out of breath.“Even though I have a prosthetic limb I still get pain in my stump and in my remaining leg and in my lower back. NHS prosthetic limbs are metal, wood and plastic. I just don’t think they appreciate that.”Soon after the call from DWP, she received a letter from Motability saying that it planned to reclaim her car on 6 August.This morning (6 August), when her husband called DWP, he was told that, following the mandatory reconsideration, they were sticking by their decision. This afternoon, a representative from Motability reclaimed her car.Because her husband does not drive and works all day, Jones said she would now find it almost impossible to leave the house.She said she was furious at the decision and how she had been treated.She said: “To be assessed without being seen, that is cost-cutting. They are making decisions about me and my condition without actually seeing me.“I know I am not alone. I know there are people in a worse state than me who are losing their benefits.”She added: “It’s going to make things incredibly difficult because I have to go to physio every week, I also have appointments at my GP and at the local hospital, and two counselling appointments a week.”She can’t walk to the nearest bus stop, because it is too far, and can’t use public transport independently even if she could reach the bus stop.She said: “I will just have to sit indoors all day. I sleep downstairs, my bathroom is downstairs. These four walls of my living room is it. We have a conservatory but to all intents and purposes this room is it.”Government figures predict that, with the mobility criteria set at 20 metres, 548,000 of the 892,000 working-age people who were receiving the higher rate of the DLA mobility component in February 2013 will not receive the enhanced mobility rate of PIP once they are transferred to the new benefit.Jones said: “It is an absolute disgrace. I have a friend whose cousin works for DWP. She goes home and cannot sleep because of the decisions she is being asked to make regarding people’s claims.”She plans to appeal against the DWP decision, and if successful she will be able to apply for a new Motability vehicle.Disabled campaigner and researcher Catherine Hale said: “This case proves that the Tories’ claim to be providing more support to the ‘most vulnerable’ via PIP is an outrageous lie.“The DWP appears to be under pressure to remove support even from people with incontrovertible mobility impairments in order to reduce spending by the government’s 20 per cent target.“As with the employment and support allowance fiasco, how much of these welfare ‘savings’ will be lost to the tribunal system as people with clear entitlements like Ms Jones fight for their right to simply leave their home?”Linda Burnip, co-founder of Disabled People Against Cuts, said: “This case shows how vicious the change of criteria from being able to walk 50 metres down to only 20 metres actually is in reality and how that change can devastate someone’s life. “At the very least, some option should be in place to ensure that no-one’s vehicle is repossessed until the outcome of an appeal has been made so that disabled people do not wrongly suffer, and to make the best use of Motability’s apparently limited resources.”Pat Onions, founder of Pat’s Petition, said: “If the government keep drawing the criteria for benefits tighter and tighter, then many individuals will lose support.“This decision is appalling and we hope the decision can be reversed.“But it is good that this case has been highlighted in the [media] and we hope that the public will realise how many more individual cases there are that don’t reach the [media].”Michelle Maher, from the WOWcampaign, said the case was a “shocking indictment again of disabled people being penalised under a system that was designed to remove 500,000 from DLA/PIP”.She said: “The fact it was done without even seeing the woman is even more worrying. But the government, without examining one person, said half a million would lose out under PIP, so we shouldn’t be surprised.“Sick and disabled people are being punished for being something they had no part of, caught in an ideological attack by a Tory party determined to [remove] all forms of support.“Somewhere along the line, disabled people became the vilified, the shirkers, when pain and disability can’t always be seen when walking 20 metres.”Motability said that it provided support for customers who lost their vehicles in such situations, and allowed them to keep their car for seven weeks after they had been notified of the PIP or DLA decision.Motability also sends them a booklet with information on buying a new or used car, insurance, tax, breakdown cover, servicing, maintenance, adaptations and other mobility options.A Motability spokesman said: “Motability has no role in determining who should receive DLA or PIP; that is solely the responsibility of DWP.”He added: “Customers are able to challenge if they disagree with the DWP decision, initially by asking DWP to reconsider their decision and then by appealing to HM Courts and Tribunals Service.“However, DWP does not continue to make DLA or PIP payments while a decision is being challenged and the Motability Scheme is therefore not able to leave a vehicle with the customer.“If their challenge is successful and the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP is subsequently awarded, the customer will of course be eligible to re-join the scheme.”DWP refused to comment. read more
0% We’re publishing a new My Mission Zine in a few weeks – a sort of guide to the neighborhood, filled with thoughts from those who live here as well as maps of resources and local haunts.We’re asking for your help to crowd source our maps!Today maps: Kick Back, bars and night life. Know any good place we’ve left out? Let us know in the comments and we will add them.Many thanks! Click here for a comprehensive overview and here for the details of the Mission Hot Spots.Click here to see a full list of the maps. Tags: Maps – Printable to Guide You Share this: FacebookTwitterRedditemail,0%
StormMiguel Florez is a filmmaker and artist who wrote this open letter to State Senator Mark Leno in response to the Senator’s remarks at Friday’s Trans March, where he and other politicians were shouted off stage. Dear Senator Mark Leno,I am writing to you as a trans Latinx person who has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for the past 20 years. I’ve also been actively involved in Trans March in some capacity (both as a participant and a past organizer) since it first started. Yesterday I arrived at the Trans March just as you were being boo’d off stage. I was surprised, frankly: I was fully expecting Scott Wiener and Ed Lee to be heckled, but did not suspect that you would be met with that response, given your history with the Trans March.That said, I was incredibly disappointed by your response and your lack of connection to today’s trans communities in San Francisco. When our community made it clear that they did not want to hear you speak, you stayed on stage and scolded the audience. I’m grateful that you have been a long-time supporter of the SF Trans March and the larger trans communities, however your response on Friday, and frankly, your endorsement of Scott Wiener tell me that you are not in touch with those most marginalized and targeted in our communities today. 0% Tags: ed lee • LGBT • Scott Wiener Share this: FacebookTwitterRedditemail,0% In your own words, you say you were heckled by people who are “new people to the city who don’t know their history… who don’t even know who I am.” If that is true, then what is also true is that you don’t know them. And I’m betting they know more about our current struggles than you do.And while some of those heckling you may not know you, many do. For instance, I know that at least one of the loudest hecklers was a trans elder who has been in community for years and was angry that you singled out Theresa Sparks as the person who started the Transgender Civil Rights Implementation Task Force, when it was actually started by several members of the trans community including Marcus Arana, Dominique Leslie, David Cameron, L.J. Irving, Shawna Virago, Veronica Fimbres, and Sarah Marshall. Other long time trans community members boo’d you because you endorse and align yourself with Scott Wiener, and I believe you were also called out because many of us are tired of politicians using us for photo ops and exposure.Elected officials show up to a few trans events throughout the year to placate our communities with declarations from the city and state. We want more from you. If politicians really want to be our allies and show up and support, you would come to our events without expecting to, or even finding it appropriate to, get on our stages. You would show up, step back, and simply listen. Heckling politicians is as old as politics itself and is an opportunity for elected officials to step back and ask their constituents “What do you need?” “What can I/we be doing better?” It is not a time to become defensive and call a community that you are not a part of “disrespectful” for using their voices and expressing dissent. It is not a time to condescend and tell our community members that we are being irrational and that we should be ashamed of ourselves. Yes people were angry and screaming and cussing at you. That must be very hard. But it is part of your work as an elected official to recognize that emotional communication does not equal irrational thought, that people are angry and calling for your attention in the best way they can to pay attention to our dissent and our struggles.People are being pushed out of San Francisco, mental health services are being cut, community service organizations are begging for scraps from the City budget so that they can continue to serve what’s left of our communities here in San Francisco.Please understand that many in our community have had it with Scott Wiener and Ed Lee, whose policies are harming San Francisco’s homeless, many of whom are trans, lesbian, gay, and bisexual and many of whom are youth.When community members boo’d you off stage for standing shoulder to shoulder with these politicians who have deeply harmed our communities yet demand space on our stage for a photo op, you could have used that moment to acknowledge that you heard that you were not welcome. You could have offered an invitation to meet with community members to gain a better understanding of our anger and frustration. You could have pledged to work with us to make things better. And then you could have left the stage graciously and with humility and invited Scott Wiener and Ed Lee to leave with you.So many of us are fighting to make sure that all people in our trans communities are safe and thriving. Our outrage is a perfectly rational and appropriate response to city and state policies that prioritize commerce for an elite few and erode safety and well-being for the rest of us, and to politicians who are by course of their action and inaction killing us. We know who you are, and while we’ve valued your allyship in the past, perhaps it’s you who are new to this city. We’re fighting to survive here, and we’re shouting to be heard.In solidarity with my fierce and beautiful community, who will never hesitate to tell you the truth,StormMiguel FlorezSF District 8 Resident, Filmmaker, Artist read more
By Alan Toth and Jackeline Luna Devlin TravisPhoto by Sawsan MorrarDevlin Travis, 8 holds a picture of his late father Richard Travis during the Day of the Dead parade.Devlin’s parents, Lila (right) and Richard, attended Day of the Dead celebrations in San Francisco from 1989 on. Since losing her husband four years ago, Lila has continued to bring their son to carry on the family ritual.“I feel like his dad is here with us,” she said. “It’s really important for us. The basis of the event is to share our love and loss with the community.” 0% On Wednesday, a crowd of more than 2,000 people gathered in the Mission for an annual festival of altars and procession commemorating the Día de Los Muertos Mexican ancestral holiday.San Francisco natives and visitors alike turned out for the event, which we covered all night here.Get to know a few of the people who stopped to talk tradition, family, festivities and more. Edwin AyalaPhoto by Sonner Kehrt“I do it because it’s a tradition,” Edwin Ayala says as he applies face paint on a Day of the Dead customer outside his store, Diju Jewelry. “I’m a creative person.”Three years ago, when he started painting faces for the holiday, he says no one else was doing it. He made almost $900 in a single night. Now, he says, there are plenty of face painters. Business is slower, but he doesn’t mind. In fact, he thinks he’ll take next year off.“I enjoy doing this,” he says. “But I want to enjoy the party.” Tags: day of the dead • dia de los muertos Share this: FacebookTwitterRedditemail,0% Karla Rugama Cynthia Aguilar and Emily VazquezPhoto by Sawsan MorrarCynthia Aguilar, 17, and Emily Vazquez, 12, (far left and left) carry pictures of their uncle and grandfather as they watch the Day of the Dead procession on Mission St with their mothers.The cousins have been participating in Day of the Dead traditions since they were children living on South Van Ness.“We always come out every year,” Aguilar said. “My parents always brought me out to these traditions, because it’s important to know where we are from.” Doctor Wasabi and Duncan AutryPhoto by Sawsan MorrarDoctor Wasabi has been coming to the Day of the Dead celebration for 55 years, but the unique, flower-shaped torch he’s holding has only been a part of his ensemble for the last twenty. What’s fueling the flame?“That’s a rather personal question,” Wasabi says.The pair are the only parade participants sporting these matching silver torches, but Wasabi says they’re hardly alone.“There are many more of us, but we’re the only two who are apparent right now in this time plane.” By Alan Toth and Jackeline Luna Thea Matthews By Alan Toth and Jackeline Luna Mayra Vazquez read more
THE new 2016 Away Kit is now in store!In partnership with O’Neills Sportswear, the new look shirt has now hit the shelves.After listening to feedback, the shirt has a refined Rugby Cut – made with ‘Koolite’ Fabric – to bring our fans a shirt they can wear with comfort and pride.The 2016 Away shirt incorporates two of the most fashionable colours in sports’ apparel next year, Cyan and Fluorescent Orange, and combines them in a great looking shirt, full of detail and vibrancy.You can buy yours in the Saints Superstore now or online here.
SAINTS have signed 10 players into its Academy Under 19s system.The youngsters have all put pen to paper on semi-pro deals following their successful under 16s season.The players are:Sam Royle – Loose Forward from Thatto Heath CrusadersSean Croston – Centre from Newton StormPaul Nash – Hooker from Blackbrook RoyalsLuke Ward – Centre from Newton StormTom Nisbet – Winger from Newton StormRyan Horne – Stand Off from Leigh EastBen Sims – Second Row from Leigh MinersJoe Sharratt – Second Row from Chorley PanthersChristian Kellett – Prop from Chorley PanthersJohn Hutchings – Centre from Orrell St JamesPlayer Performance Manager Neil Kilshaw said: “These ten players have just taken their first major step towards professional rugby league. They have already linked up with our under 19s squad in preparation for their first Academy preseason in November.“They are a credit to their schools and community clubs, and we are all looking forward to watching them develop over the next few years.“These players have fantastic opportunities on the horizon too as they will tour with the Academy on their Tour of Australia in October 2017.” read more
Cliff Watson was 78.This is the guy who was ideally suited to the rigours of the game in the 1960s and early 1970s when he made 30 appearances for Great Britain. Cliff is also a member of the 17 Greats of St.Helens R.F.C. [2010] and a Cronulla Legend [2003] and Dream Team member [2006]. He went on to win every major honour and his story is truly quite out of the ordinary.Cliff was born in Stepney on April 26 1940, if not necessarily within the sound of Bow Bells, then certainly air raid sirens! The family were bombed out by the Luftwaffe and the family went back to his father’s birthplace in Dudley, in the West Midlands, never to return. It was there that his rugby odyssey began, as a hooker, for the local Dudley Kingswinford club. He made excellent progress in the fifteen-a-side code and played at county level for Worcester and Hereford, but wanted something different.The search for big, powerful forwards knew no bounds during the summer of 1960, as the St. Helens Board took the unprecedented step of paying £400 for an advertising campaign in the national press, inviting top class rugby union packmen to write to Knowsley Road for trials. His prospective trade as an apprentice toolmaker at Newey Brothers, in Tipton, had stalled because of a rugby injury and he was transferred to the stores.One of his workmates showed him the Saints’ advert from the latest edition of the Sporting Chronicle. To get paid for playing rugby clearly appealed. Cliff decided to give it a go and put pen to paper: “In reply to your advertisement in the Sporting Chronicle for Rugby Football players, I offer you my services. I play Rugby Union Football for Dudley Kingswinford as a second row forward and played open side prop for Worcestershire and Herefordshire combined counties last season. I am 20 years of age, 6⅝ tall and weigh 15st. 6lbs. I should be grateful if you would consider my application. Watson was invited for trials and duly signed for the club for an initial sum of £750!”It was a masterstroke! He made his debut in the 17-9 home win against Liverpool City on August 15 1960, when his front-row partners were Abe Terry and hooker Bob Dagnall. Progress was swift for a somewhat disbelieving Watson – and how! He was selected for his first big match after just ten games for the seniors, in the 1961 Challenge Cup Final against Wigan at Wembley.Although playing blind-side prop, Cliff was extremely mobile with an abundance of energy and proved to be a fine cover defender. Indeed, his part in a superb cover tackle in the corner, on Wigan’s star winger Billy Boston, at a crucial time in the match, ensured a Saints’ victory by 12-6. At one stage it looked like a nailed on try and with it, Wigan could well have lifted the trophy! Stand-off Alex Murphy later reckoned that there were very few front-rowers who could have done what he did to save the game. At just 21 years of age he had duly arrived in the big time.The early 1960s saw the Saints crowned Cup Kings of Lancashire, three times against Swinton [1961, 1962 and 1964] and once against Leigh in 1963. Cliff played in them all, apart from the 1964 final when he was a non-playing substitute. He proved to be a dependable and durable member of a pack that contained other players imported from the union code, such as Ray French, John Warlow and John Mantle.Watson was naturally strong and his work as a drayman for Greenall Whitley certainly helped to keep him in trim. He was a real grafter, who would take the ball up from his own line and was capable of crashing through opposing defences at the other end. The loss of a finger on his left hand meant that handling a rugby ball was never easy for him and he had to adjust the way he caught and gave a pass accordingly. Yet no-one liked being tackled by Cliff, in his all-embracing ‘bear-hug’ manner and when the going got tough, he didn’t take any prisoners, driving the ball in relentlessly – the perfect man to have by your side in the trenches!In 1965/66 Watson and the St. Helens pack were outstanding as the club won four trophies: League Leaders, Lancashire League, Championship and Challenge Cup, the latter against deadly rivals Wigan, in front of Wembley’s first 100,000 crowd. Cliff won every major honour in the game with St. Helens, playing in 16 finals overall, including replays. He added to his collection of Lancashire Cup winner’s medals with further successes in 1967 and 1969 and captained the side to one of their greatest triumphs – a 24-12 victory over a powerful Leeds side at Odsal in 1970. A broken arm robbed him of a third Championship final success the following year. He was immensely popular amongst the Knowsley Road faithful, who rewarded the ‘Iron Man’ with a successful Testimonial cheque of more than £3,000, in the summer of 1971!Ray French was one of Cliff’s best friends. “I used to knock around with Cliff and John Warlow and I remember that we were almost in competition on the field with each other with our running and tackling. There were shouts of encouragement and some gentle verbal put-downs, for sure. Cliff used to give me a lift to training and to get the coach at Knowsley Road for away games and he was a real character, with a superb sense of humour.“As a player, he was extremely fit and had great enthusiasm. He was a drayman for Greenall Whitley at one stage and during the [school] summer holidays I used to go with him occasionally on deliveries. He had no problem at all lifting the heaviest barrels above his head. He was terrifically strong, for sure. I roomed with him on the World Cup tour in 1968 and I will never forget the day I signed for Widnes. Cliff rolled up at our house to get the coach for Swinton and I said ‘I’m not going with you, I’m playing at Naughton Park this afternoon.’ He didn’t believe me and was quite upset. He remained a great friend and I visited Cliff and Barbara in Australia on a number of occasions and was always made welcome.”His physical and mental toughness were tailor-made for the rigours of Test Match football, where he never took a backward step. He made his international debut at Swinton in the Second Test against Australia on November 9 1963, a 50-12 victory for the Kangaroos, the first time the Ashes had been lost on home soil since 1911/12.Yet Watson kept his place for the final game in the rubber at Headingley, which the British won and he was one of three players sent off in a torrid 80 minutes! Watson did become an automatic choice for his country, however, playing in 30 test matches for Great Britain – the most capped Saint in red, white and blue! He was vice-captain of the side against the Aussies at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1970, when Britain won 21-17 to win the Ashes for the last time, one of his proudest moments! He was selected for two tours ‘Down Under’ in 1966 and 1970, also taking part in two World Cup campaigns, in 1968 and 1970.His clashes with Australians such as Arthur Beetson and Jim Morgan were definitely not for the feint-hearted, but despite his ‘hard man’ image, he could also play some memorable football, typified by his 20 yard blockbuster try in the First Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1966.Cliff’s final appearance for his country was at Knowsley Road, on March 17 1971, when the French were defeated 24-2. He also captained England, against Wales at Salford, on November 7 1968, another occasion he remembered with great pride.At any level, Cliff was also great for team spirit.“The fellow was a particular favourite of mine,” recalled former Saints’ Chairman Harry Cook. “One match day he came up to the Directors’ room with his boots, socks and shorts on – no jersey. I asked him what it was all about. ‘They want to see you downstairs,’ he said in a real gruff voice. ‘And we’re not putting our jerseys on until you come down.’ So I thought – it must be money – because in those days they got so much per match, they didn’t have contracts.“So I went downstairs and asked them what the problem was. They all started laughing. ‘We just wanted to see the look on your face when you came down!’ said Cliff with that mischievous grin.”After 373 games for St. Helens, scoring 57 tries; two Championship finals, three Lancashire League titles, two Challenge Cups and five county cup successes, it was time to move on as a new challenge beckoned.He joined the Australian Club Cronulla Sutherland at the start of the 1971/72 season, where his former Saints and Great Britain team-mate Tommy Bishop was Captain-Coach. The pair of them helped to galvanise the Sharks to their best campaign since their formation in 1967 and they played together in the 1973 Grand Final, when Cronulla lost to Manly 7-10 in an often torrid encounter [the ‘dirtiest final ever’ stated one exasperated correspondent] at the Sydney Cricket Ground in front of a crowd of over 50,000. Yet Cliff was rarely injury-free and played 38 matches for the Sharks in three seasons, scoring nine tries. He finished his career with a spell as Captain-Coach of the Wollongong Wolves junior club. He won the Minor Premiership with them and was also a Grand final runner up [1974].Cliff remained in Australia for the rest of his life. He lived not too far away from Cronulla Sharks, at Miranda, in the Sutherland Shire and was associated with the Men of League organisation, raising money to help former players who have fallen on hard times. Cliff always appreciated the life-changing effect rugby league had on his life and was only too glad to give something back. On the field, he was truly uncompromising; off it – and ask anyone who knew him – he had a heart of gold!At this sad time, we especially send our condolences to his wife, Barbara and daughters Gaynor, Tina and Kareena.Born London 26 April 1940 – Died Miranda NSW 2 May 2018Written by Alex Service read more
The Dragons raced to a 27-0 lead at the break and even though Mark Percival grabbed a brace Saints couldn’t drag themselves back in it.It left them waiting yet another year to return to the Cup Final and Wembley.Catalans were tenacious from the off and led after just seven minutes.Josh Drinkwater added the first of what would turn out to be seven two-pointers and his side never looked back.Lewis Tierney and Ben Garcia sandwiched a James Roby effort that was chalked off and then Tony Gigot added a drop goal for 13-0.Worse was to follow as Morgan Knowles saw yellow for a high shot and by the time he returned, Catalans led 29-0.Gigot took an inside pass to go under the sticks before Garcia added his second as the hooter warmed up.Drinkwater then added a penalty four minutes into the second half.Saints fought their way back onto the scoreboard with two tries in five minutes.Firstly, Mark Percival finished off a great move before Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook did what he’s done all season and sparked Saints to life with a try 15 minutes in.Saints were on the front foot but the comeback was ultimately over when Sam Moa plunged over from short range.Mark Percival then grabbed his second with around 10 minutes to go but the damage had already been done.Match Summary:Dragons: Tries: Tierney, Garcia (2), Gigot, Moa Goals: Drinkwater (7 from 8) Drop: GigotSaints: Tries: Percival (2), LMS Goals: Richardson (2 from 3)Penalties Awarded: Dragons: 8 Saints: 9HT: 27-0 FT: 35-16REF: Robert HicksATT: TBCTeams:Dragons: 31. Tony Gigot; 20. Lewis Tierney, 1. David Mead, 4. Brayden Wiliame, 5. Fouad Yaha; 6. Samisoni Langi, 33. Josh Drinkwater; 15. Mikael Simon, 19. Michael McIlorum, 10. Sam Moa, 21. Benjamin Jullien, 12. Benjamin Garcia, 8. Remi Casty. Subs: 11. Louis Anderson, 14. Julian Bousquet, 17. Jason Baitieri, 34. Kenny Edwards.Saints: 23. Ben Barba; 5. Adam Swift, 2. Tommy Makinson, 4. Mark Percival, 19. Regan Grace; 1. Jonny Lomax, 18. Danny Richardson; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 16. Luke Thompson, 15. Morgan Knowles, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Jon Wilkin. Subs: 6. Theo Fages, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Luke Douglas, 20. Matty Lees. read more
Roby, who has played in a fair share of Saints’ Magic Weekend matches, has revealed he has followed in his father’s footsteps as a Liverpool fan ahead of a potential Anfield appearance on Sunday, whilst he also believes it is a ‘great’ chance to play at the ‘iconic’ Anfield.“I am more of a closet [Liverpool] fan to be honest. I am not shouting across the roof tops like Kyle [Amor] all the time,” he joked, “But yes I am a Liverpool fan and it probably stems from my dad – he is a big Liverpool fan.“It is great to get the chance to play at Anfield. What an iconic stadium it is and I think it definitely adds to the fact they have done so well in the Premier League and are in the Champions League Final.“From my point of view that all adds to the occasion and the re-development of the ground hey have done a couple of years ago as well, I have been there myself, it is fantastic. Those opportunities are great. It is a little bit different, not just for us players, but the fans also.”Roby also shed some light on his fitness ahead of Justin Holbrook naming his 19 man squad at 12 noon on Friday, admitting he should be fit for the squad.“I am feeling good. I missed last week with a niggling injury and I probably could have played. It was more of a precaution really, but I am hoping to be in the team this week and if training goes well this week I should be available.”Saints have sold out our Magic Weekend allocation, but tickets for our clash with Castleford Tigers are still available directly from the RFL for collection on the day only. read more
CFPUA hosted a tour of the plant, showing off the processes that go into treating the water that we all drink.Interim Water Resource Manager John Malone also gave an update on what CFPUA is doing with regards to GenX.He says they’re exploring methods to remove the chemical, should it become prevalent in the water again.Related Article: Boil Water Advisory issued for downtown Wilmington apartment complex“One of the things that is very necessary for a community to grow is a good, stable water supply and I think that has been provided throughout the years. That is definitely, we strive to provide as safe a product as possible,” said Malone.There’s another tour of the plant Saturday at 10 a.m. CFPUA just asks that you call ahead if you plan to attend so they can get a proper headcount. A look inside the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant in Wilmington, NC (Photo: Justin McKee/WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — In light of what’s happening with GenX, CFPUA opened the doors of the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant to the public Friday morning. It was a chance to see what goes into treating our drinking water.About 137 thousand people receive their water from the Sweeney plant.- Advertisement – read more
The sign at the Chemours facility near Fayetteville (Photo: WWAY) SOUTHEASTERN NC (WWAY) — The state has cited Chemours for failing to report an October 6 spill at its Fayetteville Works facility.The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality says Chemours violated the conditions of its wastewater discharge permit.- Advertisement – The violation notice demands Chemours submit within 10 days information about the duration and quantity of the dimer acid flouride and any other chemicals spilled, as well as a description of all actions the company took to stop the spill.Chemours faces a possible fine for this violation, depending on the outcome of DEQ’s investigation into the spill. The Chemours permit requires that DEQ be notified within 24 hours of any discharge of significant amounts of waste that are abnormal in quantity or characteristics, as well as any non-compliance that potentially threatens public health or the environment.DEQ questioned Chemours officials in early November after receiving preliminary data from water samples the state agency collected that indicated elevated concentrations of GenX at Chemours’ primary wastewater discharge outfall.Related Article: Brunswick Co. woman speaking to Congress will discuss PFAS chemicalsAfter being questioned by DEQ, the company admitted to DEQ that a spill had occurred four weeks earlier on October 6 from a manufacturing line at the Chemours facility. The company told state officials that dimer acid fluoride, a precursor to GenX, had spilled.“It is both unlawful and unacceptable for a company to fail to report a chemical spill to the state and public as soon as possible,” said Michael Regan, Secretary for the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. “We will take all appropriate enforcement action to hold Chemours accountable for failing to comply with its permit.”By state law, Chemours must be provided an opportunity to respond to a notice of violation before a civil penalty can be assessed. DEQ will review the company’s response and any additional information the company submits before determining further enforcement. read more
New Hanover County Schools Superintendent Dr. Tim Markley said it can be difficult to come up with make-up days because there is a tight window on the school calendar, and that current calendar law says school can’t go past a certain date.“We have enough hours, that we can make up 3 of the 4, so you saw the days we’ve chosen,” Markley said. “We’re going to eliminate a work day, we’re going to add a day at the end of the year. And so that’s how we’re getting to those makeup days.”Markley added that make-up days on Saturdays or during Spring Break typically do not have high attendance.The Board has approved make-up days due to last week’s snowstorm. Student make-up days will be as follows: Fri. 1/26; Tues. 5/8 and Fri. 6/8.— New Hanover Co Sch (@NewHanoverCoSch) January 10, 2018Related Article: North Carolina mom turns daughter’s masters degree into a blanketAt the Brunswick County Board of Education meeting Tuesday, board members approved making January 23 a regular school day. The board told WWAY they will decide the other three make-up days later after getting feedback from teachers. New Hanover County School Board approves school make-up days (Photo: Sarah Johnson/WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County School Board met Tuesday night to discuss a number of topics, including when schools will make up the days missed due to inclement weather.The School Board voted to approve January 26, May 8, and June 8 as make-up days. Year-Round Schools: No Make-up Days. Wilmington Early College High School: February 23, March 7, and May 24. Isaac Bear Early College High School: March 9, May 24, and May 25. SEA-Tech: February 23, April 13, and June 4. Pre-K: May 8, and June 7.- Advertisement – read more
Cameron Gillespie has been arrested for an alleged sexual assault on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus last week. (Photo: VineLink) WILMINGTON, NC (Star News/WWAY) — A teenager has been arrested for an alleged sexual assault on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus last week.Cameron Orion Gillespie, 19, was booked into jail on charges of having a weapon on educational property, second-degree sexual offense, first-degree burglary and consuming alcohol under age 21, according to New Hanover County jail records.- Advertisement – A UNCW spokeswoman says Gillespie is a former UNCW student and that UNCW Police handled the investigation.The charges stem from an incident that was reported at 3:57 a.m. on Feb. 14, though it is not clear when or where the assault actually took place.Click here to read more from Star News Online. read more
Photo: New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Tuesday at 4:45 p.m. the Wilmington Police Department was dispatched to Arby’s on 1502 Shipyard Boulevard in response to a person with weapon.According to the Wilmington Police Department when they arrived they learned that a former Arby’s employee was speaking with their former manager when an argument broke out. The former employee’s girlfriend pulled out a pellet gun and shot the manager and windows causing them to break.- Advertisement – The former employee and girlfriend left the restaurant and later that night officers identified Jessica Thomas, 18 as the suspect in the pellet gun shooting.The Wilmington Police Department swore out a warrant and then dispatch sent a deputy to her address in New Hanover County and served the warrant.According to the Wilmington Police Department Thomas was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, property damage and discharging a pellet gun in city limits. read more
Advertisement Application should be made by finalist students to enter the competetion. The entry should be endorsed by the project supervisor to authenticate ownership of the mobile application. Submit your entry by 25th May 2012 to ciawards@orange.co.ug and stand a chance to win:1st prize: 10 million shillings towards the application pilot and internship for 12 months2nd prize: 5 million shillings worth of support towards the deployment of the application and internship for 12 months3rd prize: internship for 6 monthsan android phone for each qualifying app – Advertisement – Selection criteriaThe winning application will be selected by a panel of experts based on the following criteria:best innovationwill improve/ support communitiespractical and easy to deploy into a live environmenthas economical potentialEach entry should have:A full presentation on the application highlighting how it will benefit the communitydemonstration of how it worksPhased planning of how it will be implementedThe wining application will be announced at the Orange Community Innovations award ceremony, date to be announced. read more
Advertisement In the realm of aptly named products, Samsung’s Galaxy Pocket fits right in. With its tiny form and sporting Google’s smartphone OS, the Pocket is aiming at capturing the throne in the lower budget smartphone segment. Of course in doing so, it will have to outperform the likes of the Spice Mi-280 and 350n and their own Galaxy Y S 5630. While there are a few differences, especially in the price tag, here’s a closer look at the Galaxy Pocket to help you decide if it’s worth your money.Form FactorThe Pocket is a neat little handset that’s easy to hold in the palm of your hand, making it extremely portable. Like most Samsung smartphones, the rectangular Home button is placed front and centre, below the 2.8-inch capacitive display (240 x 320 pixels). Viewing angles aren’t the best when in broad daylight and the auto brightness option won’t make too much of a difference. – Advertisement – The volume rocker is on the left and the power/sleep button is on the right. A 3.5mm handsfree socket is placed at the top, beside a dual function micro USB port that’s neatly covered with a flap. The Pocket comes with 3GB of internal storage and also supports microSD cards up to 32GB, making it one of the very few devices to come with this much internal memory in this price range.InterfaceWith an 830MHz processor powering the Galaxy Pocket that’s running on Android Gingerbread (v2.3.6) Overall functionality is quite seamless and while TouchWiz UX UI has its good points, you do have the choice of multiple free launchers off the Google Play store(not yet Launched in many African Countries) as well. But features, like left and right swiping over messages or names for dialing or messaging contacts does make for quick access when required. The drop-down menu also gives you access to networking toggle switches reducing the need for the Power Control widget that could take up unnecessary space on the small screen.MediaThis little handset is capable of dishing out some very decent audio. Samsung included a few EQ presets that make a difference for those looking for a lightly customized experience. There’s also an option for a virtual 5.1surround experience. The onboard FM radio also proved to be quite an asset. The native video player features codecs for the basic video formats, like 3GP and MP4 (H.264/H.263) and supports resolutions of up to 640 x 480. With third part players, like RockPlayer you’re allowed a wider range of formatsConnectivityAs far as connectivity goes, the Galaxy Pocket features all the basics, like 3G, Wi-Fi (with Hot Spot) , tethering, Bluetooth v3.0 with A2DP and of course USB 2.0 via micro connector. The Pocket also comes with GPS and A-GPS support for Google Maps and the corresponding apps, like Latitude, Local and Navigation. Aside from the Google Play store, Samsung Apps, the company’s own app store also has a few preselected apps for the handset that will help enhance the device’s functionality. Google’s array of apps that include Google Talk, Google Voice search, Google+ and its messenger app and YouTube are also included, of course. You can also access your Picasa gallery via the handset’s Gallery app. A News and Weather app has also been provided. Samsung has thrown in their Social Hub app as well to consolidate all your accounts into one space for easy access.Table of SpecificationsGeneral2G NetworkGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 19003G NetworkHSDPA 900 / 2100Announced2012, FebruaryStatusAvailable. Released 2012, AprilBodyDimensions103.7 x 57.5 x 12 mmWeight97 g – Touch-sensitive controlsDisplayTypeTFT capacitive touchscreenSize240 x 320 pixels, 2.8 inches (~143 ppi pixel density)MultitouchYes – TouchWiz UX UISoundAlert typesVibration, MP3 ringtonesLoudspeakerYes3.5mm jackYesMemoryCard slotmicroSD, up to 32 GBInternal3 GBDataGPRSYesEDGEYesSpeedHSDPA, 3.6 Mbps; HSUPAWLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspotBluetoothYes, v3.0 with A2DPUSBYes, microUSB v2.0CameraPrimary2 MP, 1600×1200 pixelsFeaturesGeo-taggingVideoYes, QVGA@15fpsSecondaryNoFeaturesOSAndroid OS, v2.3 (Gingerbread)CPU832 MHz ARM 11SensorsAccelerometer, compassMessagingSMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Mail, IM, RSSBrowserHTMLRadioStereo FM radio with RDSGPSYes, with A-GPS supportJavaYes, via Java MIDP emulatorColorsBlack – SNS integration – MP4/H.264/H.263 player – MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player – Organizer – Image/video editor – Document viewer – Google Search, Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Calendar, Google Talk, Picasa integration – Voice memo/dial – Predictive text inputBattery Standard battery, Li-Ion 1200 mAhStand-byUp to 800 h (2G) / Up to 500 h (3G)Talk timeUp to 17 h (2G) / Up to 5 h 40 min (3G)MiscSAR US0.86 W/kg (head) 0.38 W/kg (body) SAR EU0.79 W/kg (head) Price groupTestsDisplayContrast ratio: 753:1 (nominal) / 1.180:1 (sunlight)LoudspeakerVoice 65dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 67dBAudio qualityNoise -87.6dB / Crosstalk -85.6dBBattery lifeEndurance rating 34hDisclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct. read more
Strong passwords contain letters, numbers and symbols which are hard to guess. Image Credit: HuffPost Advertisement No matter how many times we tell you to change your passwords and make it anything but your birthday, “123456,” or “password,” many still aren’t taking the efforts to make their accounts more secure. So Microsoft is actively doing something about it by banning weak passwords entirely.Software giant Microsoft has banned “weak passwords!” In case your account uses a password that appears in the most-used/stolen password list, Microsoft will force you to create a more complex one.The changes will apply to both Microsoft Accounts and Azure AD services. – Advertisement – Microsoft will also continue using its lockout mode when you’ve guessed the password incorrectly too many times to prevent a hacking attempt.To be on the safe-side, make your password at least 8-characters long, use symbols and/or numbers, and integrate capitalization. You can also add two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security. read more
Image Credit: Razer Advertisement CES 2017 saw consumer electronics giant; Samsung Corp. launch its first gaming laptop – they called Samsung Notebook Odyssey – in 17-inch and 15-inch models. Looks like they’re being challenged, California-based Gaming PC makers; Razer Inc. has also unveiled a concept laptop with three 4K 17-inch (43 cm) screens dubbed Project Valerie, at the showcase. Two additional screens slide out from the central display via an automatic mechanism.BBC News who report this, say the firm claims Project Valerie is the world’s first portable laptop of its kind. The firm further adds that Project Valerie is comparable to many standard gaming laptops, which tend to be chunkier than home and office devices.One analyst praised the design, noting that gamers were increasingly splashing out on high-end laptops. – Advertisement – Project Valerie is still a prototype and Razer has not yet published a possible release date or price.Project Valerie and Samsung’s Notebook Odyssey were just some of several gaming laptops shown off at CES. Computer maker Acer also unveiled a large, 21-inch model called the Predator 21X, which costs $8,999.[related-posts] read more
RUNNING RETURN (APRIL): PROFIT 6.08 POINTSRUNNING RETURN (YEAR): LOSS 84.20 POINTSWhat’s your view? CALL STAR SPORTS 08000 521 321 [dropcap]L[/dropcap]et’s get one thing straight. There’s no way I’m backing Arsenal at around 1/2 to beat Wigan in the first FA Cup semi-final (KO 5.07pm, ITV).I think Arsenal have been close to pathetic in some of their recent matches. Showing next to no fighting spirit when the going gets tough in both their 3-0 defeat against Everton and most notably in their 6-0 drumming against Chelsea.It would be a huge mistake to under underestimate Wigan’s chances. After all, we all did that last season and look what happened, they beat Man City to lift the trophy.This season they have already knocked out Premier Leagues clubs Crystal Palace, Cardiff City and Manchester City in the defence of the FA Cup and are very much in the mix to be a Premier League team again themselves next season and are currently guaranteed a play off place.Wigan don’t really have anything to prove – Arsenal do and that’s a fact that’s not lost on Wigan boss Uwe Rosler who admits his side are massive underdogs but takes this as a positive as he feels they “can’t lose” with all the expectation on Arsenal.The head to head records, as you would expect, show advantage Arsenal…..HEAD TO HEAD RECORD(Max last 10 only)May 2013 Premier Arsenal 4-1 WiganDec 2012 Premier Wigan 0-1 ArsenalApr 2012 Premier Arsenal 1-2 WiganDec 2011 Premier Wigan 0-4 ArsenalJan 2011 Premier Arsenal 3-0 WiganDec 2010 Premier Wigan 2-2 ArsenalNov 2010 Carling Cup Arsenal 2-0 WiganApr 2010 Premier Wigan 3-2 ArsenalSep 2009 Premier Arsenal 4-0 WiganApr 2009 Premier Wigan 1-4 ArsenalI can’t see a scenario where Wigan don’t score today. Arsenal’s defence is particularly concerning and they’ve conceded 12 goals in their last four matches.For Arsenal and Arsene Wenger in particular the FA Cup now becomes top priority. The 3-0 defeat to Everton last weekend certainly damaged their hopes for a top four finish in the Premier League and if they do miss the cut and DON’T win the FA Cup then surely it’s the end of the road for Wenger?The draw at around 15/4 with Star Sports makes plenty of appeal but I can’t resist backing Wigan as well at around 13/2 just in case Arsenal are again in their lethargic mood.RECOMMENDED BET (scale of 1-10 points)10 points win DRAW at around 15/4 with Star Sports5 points win WIGAN at around 13/2 with Star Sports read more
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]elcome to Starters Orders. Our daily midday update from the trading room at Star Sports with our key market movers for the day across all sports.Saturday 6 DecemberRACING12.30 AintreeNyanza 15/8 > 11/81.15 NavanAntilope Du Seuil 2/1 > 11/82.00 ChepstowTolkeins Tango 5/1 > 3/12.35 ChepstowAwaywiththegreys 13/2 > 4/13.25 WetherbyAvenue Of Honour 7/4 > 5/46.15 WolverhamptonGambino 6/1 > 4/17.15 WolverhamptonAcclamate 6/1 > 4/1What’s your view?CALL STAR SPORTS ON 08000 521 321
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