MATTHEWS GETS A LITTLE HELP FROM FRIENDS ON CD BY JONATHAN TAKIFF KNIGHT RIDDER.(PREVIEW)

Here's a rundown of the CDs that are new in stores this week:

Star watch: Dave Matthews steps away from his band mates on ``Some Devil'' (RCA). But the set still boasts a big production sound, as Dave has welcomed support from his longtime playpals Tim Reynolds and Trey Anastasio, plus the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Emmylou Harris and more. B+

Canadian's hottest exports of the hour, Nickelback summons up a fourth studio set of tuneful rockers, ``The Long Road'' (Roadrunner).

Movie notable Billy Bob Thornton tries again to cross over to the music scene with ``The Edge of the World'' (Sanctuary), his cause boosted by the likes of Joe Walsh, Tommy Shaw, Daniel Lanois and Marty Stuart.

New faces: ``Welcome to the Middle'' (Universal) makes for a great introduction to Laguardia, a most sophisticated, substantial-sounding rock group from Philadelphia. At turns lush and quirky (in a British sort of way, actually), their inventive touch never loses you along the path. A-

On their self-titled RCA album, Stellarstarr effectively pours an in-your-face rock cocktail that's quite intoxicating. Mix one part vintage downtown New York club bands …

EMBATTLED ISUZU LOOKS TO GM FOR ASSISTANCE.(Business)

Byline: David E. Sanger New York Times

As if General Motors Corp. does not have enough troubles these days, its closest partner in the Japanese auto industry, Isuzu Motors Ltd., is running a huge operating loss, appears ready to jettison its president and has reportedly turned to GM for financial help.

The troubles at Isuzu have been brewing for months. In recent days, as the giant Tokyo Motor Show started and executives from GM poured into Tokyo, the industry has been abuzz with talk that Isuzu is in desperate need of a bailout.

General Motors owns 37.5 percent of Isuzu, Japan's sixth-largest automaker. In a two-decade relationship that has been …

Diamondbacks edge Padres in 10

Right-hander Ian Kennedy is making a strong case to join the Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation.

Kennedy struck out eight in five scoreless innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks earned a 5-4 win in 10 innings over the San Diego Padres on Monday.

Down 4-0 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Diamondbacks tied the game with two-run homers by John Hester and Drew Macias. Arizona's Jake Wald drove in the winning run on a single in the 10th.

Kennedy lowered his ERA to 2.70. He allowed two hits _ a two-out double by Will Venable in the first inning, and a single by Chris Denorfia in the third inning. Kennedy then picked off Denorfia at first.

…

UN Chief Makes Appeal on Lebanon

UNITED NATIONS - The U.N. secretary-general called Wednesday for an end to "foreign interference" that has exacerbated Lebanon's political crisis and said he had received more information that Syria was involved in sending weapons and fighters across the border.

In a report to the Security Council, Ban Ki-Moon also urged rival Lebanese parties to elect a new president, warning that a power vacuum could splinter the government.

Ban made clear he was particularly referring to Syrian interference in neighboring Lebanon. He said he had again received information from countries in the region "that appears to corroborate the allegation that Syria facilitates the flow of weapons …

EMS-Chimie. (What's New on the Web).(advertisement)

EMS-Chimie has now upgraded its Campus database to version 4.1. You can download …

New memorial to Kelly.

THE road where the life of a young dental nurse was cut short by a drink-driver was closed for a memorial service.

Kelly Marsh, 20, of Butlers Marston, was killed in the front passenger seat of a car last November in Lighthorne Road, Kineton. The car's driver, 19-year-old driver Helen Atkinson, crashed into a tree while almost twice over the limit.

Parents Jane and Tony Marsh remembered their daughter this week with family, friends, police officers, bereavement support charity RoadPeace and local councillors.

A brass plaque with Kelly's name was put on a tree to replace tributes vandalised earier this month and a small sign with a red flower and …

WILLIAMS FAILS TO QUALIFY.(SPORTS)

Byline: Staff reports

Former University at Albany assistant track coach Shana Williams, who had a lifetime-best long jump of 23 feet in the Olympic Trials, fouled on each of her three attempts Thursday to qualify for the long jump final.

Williams, who worked with the track team and acted as an academic adviser at UAlbany during the 1994-95 school year, was a close friend of UAlbany track star Kimberly Toone, who was killed in a car accident in March.

If Williams had managed a jump of 21 feet, 11 inches, she would have qualified for the finals. A disappointed Williams said she jumps 22 feet in practice all the time.

…

Northern Illinois beats Md-Eastern Shore 86-80

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (AP) — Xavier Silas scored 34 points to lead Northern Illinois to an 86-80 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore on Wednesday.

The Huskies (2-2) led for most of the contest, holding their largest lead at 55-43 with 14:55 left in the second half on Silas' 3-pointer. Silas was 12-of-16 shooting from the floor, made four 3-pointers but had six turnovers for the game.

Northern Illinois later held a 78-67 advantage with …

Biosolids ingredient in soil amendment

The Tacoma Sewer Utility Operations Division (TSUOD) has had a great deal of success marketing Tagro Mix, made from dewatered biosolids, sand and sawdust. In 1997, the wastewater treatment plant generated 4,238 dry tons of biosolids; more than half (2,285 dry tons) went toward Tagro Mix and Liquid Tagro production. The remaining biosolids were applied to agricultural and forest land. Obtaining the permit for application to 152,000 acres of private forestland was critical because it allowed TSUOD to recycle biosolids all year …

Algeria-Tanzania match: Desert Foxes ready.

The national football team players showed great determination and concentration to start well the qualifications for Africa's Cup of Nations CAN 2012, Friday against Tanization in Tchaker Stadium of Blida (10 pm), players said as preparatory training camp started in Beni Messous (Algiers). Wolverhampton midfielder Adlene Guedioura said "players are ready for Friday's match and want to meet expectations of our public …

LEGISLATURE RESCHEDULES PRIMARY DAY FOR SEPT. 25.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: CATHY WOODRUFF Staff writer

New York's Primary Day was rescheduled for Sept. 25 with action Thursday by the state Legislature.

Under the plan crafted by Gov. George Pataki and legislative leaders, votes cast Tuesday before the primaries were suspended because of the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center will not be counted. People who voted then will be eligible to vote again on Sept. 25.

Absentee ballots that were cast legally under the old deadlines will be counted, according to the governor's office.

Pataki's suspension of the election, an action unprecedented in New York, left county elections commissioners uncertain about …

Rays 8, Mariners 0

Tampa Bay @ Seattle @

ab r h bi @ ab r h bi

Bartlett ss 5 1 1 0 ISuzuki rf 4 0 1 0

Crwfrd lf 5 2 3 2 Figgins 2b 4 0 1 0

Zobrist 2b-rf 4 0 2 1 Ktchm 1b 4 0 0 0

Longori 3b 5 1 1 1 FGtrrz cf 4 0 0 0

C.Pena 1b 3 1 1 0 GrffyJr dh 4 0 1 0

BUpton cf …

Improved service overdue.(getting insurance policies to policyholders in timely manner)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

A RECENT FEDERAL COURT decision draws attention to a nagging problem in the insurance industry and perhaps will finally move the industry toward a solution.

The problem is the failure of insurers and brokers to deliver the actual insurance policies to their buyers in timely fashion. Indeed, for a buyer to have a policy in hand before its coverage period begins seems to be more of an exception than the rule.

Not only does this tardiness represent a deplorable level of service, but it also may begin to prove costly for the industry.

As we report in this week's issue, a U.S. magistrate in Philadelphia recently ordered Reliance Insurance Co. to pay $1 million …

Keyboard mix-up.(Brief article)

Q I installed a USB keyboard on my XP Home SP2 PC. However, the keyboard has a different layout to my old one. Windows has remembered the old layout, so some of the keys are mixed up. My keyboard hasn't got a driver CD, so it's using the default drivers.

--Peter Lekarski

A The keyboard drivers are concerned only with how to communicate with the device itself. The …

US Patent Issued to Alacritech on May 17 for "Obtaining a Destination Address So That a Network Interface Device Can Write Network Data Without Headers Directly into Host Memory" (California Inventors)

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 22 -- United States Patent no. 7,945,699, issued on May 17, was assigned to Alacritech Inc. (San Jose, Calif.).

"Obtaining a Destination Address So That a Network Interface Device Can Write Network Data Without Headers Directly into Host Memory" was invented by Laurence B. Boucher (Saratoga, Calif.), Stephen E. J. Blightman (San Jose, Calif.), Peter K. Craft (San Francisco), David A. Higgen (Saratoga, Calif.), Clive M. Philbrick (San Jose, Calif.) and Daryl D. Starr (Milpitas, Calif.).

According to the abstract released by the U.

S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A Network Interface device (NI device) coupled to a host computer receives a multi-packet message from a network (for example, the Internet) and DMAs the data portions of the various packets directly into a destination in application memory on the host computer. The address of the destination is determined by supplying a first part of the first packet to an application program such that the application program returns the address of the destination. The address is supplied by the host computer to the NI device so that the NI device can DMA the data portions of the various packets directly into the destination. In some embodiments the NI device is an expansion card added to the host computer, whereas in other embodiments the NI device is a part of the host computer."

The patent was filed on Dec. 1, 2008, under Application No. 12/325,941.

For further information please visit: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?

Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7945699&OS=7945699&RS=7945699

For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

7 Ashton Court festival workers

This weekend the Orange Ashton Court Festival brings Bristoltogether to celebrate our city, but not everyone will be partying -every year 100s of people volunteer to staff the festival, workingwith fulltime festival organisers to ensure everything goesbrilliantly and safely. Vicky Frost meets them.

Bill & Kay Stuart Security bosses

Real Job: Run their own security firm, Stuart Security from AztecWest. They have about 1000 people on their books and have just comeback from running the security at Glastonbury.

Why do you work for the festival? "We set our company up in 1988and we went big in about 92 or 93 when we really got into festivals.

There weren't that many when we began our business - although ofcourse Ashton Court has been going for years - but we really likethe atmosphere ofthe event and the people who volunteer.

Because they are volunteers, they put their hearts into thefestival. It's great that it's more low key than other festivals wework on, too."

How long have you been involved with the festival?

"This is our 11th year at Ashton Court and we're part ofthefamily.

It's nice to come into that; and we do a lot more for thisfestival than we might for other people.We like everyone at thefestival so we get quite involved with it."

What's your favourite festival memory?

"I really enjoyed the last festival, the atmosphere was differentand there was no trouble at all.Oh, and I enjoyed it when Bad Mannersplayed, " says Kay.

Becca Morton - Business Development Manager

Age: 30

Real Job I work for the festival all year, sorting out sponsorshipand doing all the administration. I'm also in charge of the communityarts work which runs through the year, reflecting the ethos ofthefestival which we've just launched.

Why do you work for the festival?

My background is in theatre production and stage management, and Iwanted to get into working for the festival. I focus on all sides ofthe festival; working with businesses and companies that share theethos ofthe festival all year round as well as the event itself. Ilove it because it's run by volunteers and everyone is working on itbecause they really want to .

It's a great atmosphere.

How long have you worked for the festival?

This is my second year.

What is your favourite festival moment?

My favourite moments involve the blaggers who try to get into theVIP bar. I love listening to their excuses.

Why do they want to go in there anyway? It's not posh or exciting.

Simon Cootes - Site services (volunteer)

Age: 34

Real Job: Test design engineer.

Why do you volunteer for the festival?

"The thing I enjoy most about it is seeing the crowds ofpeoplehaving a brilliant time. For a lot ofpeople this is the best day outthey have all year; you can see that and it's brilliant. All thepeople who work on the festival, the volunteers, security, everybody,they're all really nice people having a really great time. It can getquite stressful, but it all works out in the end.

How long have you been involved with the festival?

I've been doing the event for about 10 years. I first got involvedbecause some friends were doing it and I used to do lotsofmarshalling for motorbike races anyway. I've never even been to thefestival as a punter."

What's your favourite festival memory?

"There was a police operations manager who had done the festivalfor years who went native and is now working with the site servicesteam.We'd always got on really well with him and then he moved to adifferent department, but he turned up for the festival and said hecouldn't miss it and he wanted to come and play."

Neil Barlow - Volunteer Co-ordinator

Age: 31

Real Job Civil servant

Why do you volunteer for the festival?

"I knew someone who volunteered already and he persuaded me to doit - and I enjoyed it because actually, despite being in charge of230volunteers and trying to recruit new people every year, it's quitefun - which is why I do it rather than because of wanting to putsomething back into the community, although ofcourse, that's true as well. But actually, I just enjoy it and it's down to us to make itwork."

How long have you been involved with the festival?

"It must be about six or seven years. I've been volunteer co-ordinator for about two years now, and on the management committeethat runs the festival for one year."

What's your favourite festival moment?

"Standing at the front gate with other volunteers and watching thestream of people coming up the hill and feeding into the festivalsite behind me.

It's really nice, just sitting there, preferably with a beer,watching everyone come to the festival."

Kevin Rooney - Chairman of Management Committee and Licensee

Age: 37

Real Job Policy Advisor for Government Agency

Why do you volunteer for the festival?

The first time I went to the festival it was as a punter. I gotinvolved the next year and haven't left since! . I just get a buzzout ofworking on it. I'd originally decided to stop working after mytenth festival, but this turned out to be the year we moved toHengrove Park (because ofFoot and Mouth at Ashton Court). I didn'twant to leave the Management Committee with the festival in debt, Iwanted to help sort it out.

Now I can't wait for this year's event.We've got some great actsplaying, I'm expecting a great crowd and, hopefully, the festivalwill have a more secure future.

How long have you been involved in the festival?

This will be my 12th Festival (my first was in 1992) What's yourfavourite festival memory?

I think that would be moving the festival to Hengrove Park,because everyone told us it just couldn't be done. The weekend was agreat success in terms of who was there and the organisation - it wasjust a shame more people didn't go south ofthe river.

Karina Balado - Site services co-ordinator & licensee (volunteer)

Age: 35

Real Job Housing Officer for Housing Association.

Why do you volunteer for the festival?

Working for the festival is great fun, gives me a huge feeling ofachievement and is a complete change from my regular work.

It's challenging and I've learnt new skills that I'd never havehad the opportunity to discover otherwise. For example, how manyhousing officers can say they know all about putting up staging at afestival!

How long have you been involved with the festival?

This will be my ninth festival.

What's your favourite festival memory?

I have one favourite memory that's repeated every year. It's whenthe last act on Sunday night is on and I'm backstage looking out overa huge crowd of happy, smiling faces.

That's when you realise what you've helped to produce!

Jem Noble - Blackout Arts, Film and Digital Media Tent (volunteer)Age:28

Real Job Cube Cinema Collaborator & House Parent.

Why do you volunteer for the festival?

The festival is a fantastic community event and resource forshowcasing Bristol's creative talent. This year I'm really excitedabout the Blackout tent because ofthe help Arts and Business haveprovided.

They've partnered us up with a company called 'Roadshow' whichsupplies audio-visual equipment.With their help, and ofcourse thehelp ofthe Cube Cinema, we've been able to experiment with a diverselineup with minimal financial risk.

How long have you been involved in the festival?

This will be my second year.

What's your favourite festival memory? :

My favourite was last year, watching my son Milo being drivenaround in a forklift truck with a massive smile on his face!

Roadside assistance, thy name is Tom Bacon He didn't miss a call in 4 years

When Mercedes-Benz first offered 24-hour roadside assistance as"standard equipment" on its vehicles more than a decade ago, thegeneral reaction was, "Sure," but who's going to make those roadcalls on a nice summer Sunday afternoon or, even worse, at 2 a.m. ona snowy winter's night.

Say hello to Tom Bacon.

Last year, he got an award from Mercedes.It was a jacket, a distinctive leather jacket you can't buy.That jacket signified that he had answered every roadsideassistance call over a four-year period. Four years. 1461 days andnights (including a Leap Year).He wears the jacket proudly because he earned it the hard way.He was called away from New Hampshire International Speedway,where he was working as part of a racing team. He was called onChristmas Eve . . . three times. He misses supper at home a coupleof times a week.Bad enough if that were his main job, but it's not: he's shopforeman at Dreher Holloway Mercedes in Exeter, N.H."Roadside assistance was part of the Mercedes-Benz program," saidBacon. "And they needed someone to cover it."Which he's done . . . and done.Paul Holloway, Bacon's boss, also has been chairman of theNational Automobile Dealers Assn. for the past year.Last month, he spent an evening with the New England Motor PressAssn., sharing a dealer's view on his industry. He talked franklyabout how the internet is affecting sales, about the overcapacity forproduction that's plaguing the industry, the impending mergers ofautomakers, and the trend to bigger and more factory-dealerpartnerships . . . but in the end it came down to why employees likeTom Bacon are so important."Programs such as guaranteed roadside assistance are called apromise of the brand," said Holloway."But they're {programs} only as strong as the smallestindependent dealer of that brand," he said.As an example, Holloway cites an industry problem -- the plightof the small dealerships that have been targeted by the manufactureras "not viable.""They've basically put that dealer in limbo. He can't afford toretire, and he can't sell his franchise because the banks won't lendto a buyer if the manufacturer doesn't consider the businessviable.""Do you think that dealer is going to have someone available forroadside assistance 24 hours a day?" Holloway asked, then answeredhis own question. "I don't."So when a customer breaks down in his area and doesn't get theassistance, what does he do? He tells everyone he knows that thesystem is a crock, and those negative feelings cost you customersyou're never going to regain."To Holloway, the Mercedes roadside program has been the mostsuccessful one of its kind in the industry because it's run byMercedes and not subcontracted.So there's little wonder why Mercedes was as proud to present Mr.Bacon with that jacket as he was to receive it?Clearly dealerships have come a long way since the horse 'n buggydays.But, according to Holloway, those horse 'n buggy days still have amajor impact on how we in the Northeast buy our cars and have themserviced.Before the automobile, every neighborhood had a stable."Around here, those stables all became auto dealers," saidHolloway."As a result some areas of the country -- notably the Northeast --are overdealered."As an example, he noted that the Boston advertising ADI (area ofdominant interest) has more than 40 Pontiac dealerships while theGreater Dallas area has four.What does it mean?For one thing that your Globe is filled with auto ads by dealersbashing each others' bumpers over a $50 difference in price.And, for another, that the dealer isn't going to make a whole lotof profit selling you a new car."Nationally, dealers made 1.4% profit on $508 billion in carsales in 1997" That's $200-$300 per car, hardly enough to keep adealership rolling.So how do dealerships survive?"They adapt . . . or they're gone," he said."This {auto dealership} is a service industry. It's aboutbuilding relationships."He should know. He's been a successful dealer for more than 30years, starting with the acquisition of Dreher Buick in 1967 and nowholding Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, Chevy Truck,Mercedes-Benz and BMW franchises."It starts with the new car sale. Then, you work like hell toservice it {new car}."With luck, you'll sell a used car to one of the family'schildren."And, if you've treated the family well over this time, hopefullythey've been telling their friends, neighbors, family and coworkersand sending you referrals."This is the value of a customer over a lifetime. It's what thisbusiness is about now.'It includes millions invested in equipment and people.For his service department, he exclusively and aggressivelyrecruits people with AA degrees from Voc Tech colleges. "Anoutstanding technician is worth their weight in gold," he says.Which is why the president of the NADA mentions his man Tom Baconin speeches all across the country.

Intel launches new tablet chips

Intel launches new tablet chips

SAN FRANCISCO, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Intel Corp. on Mondaylaunched a new processor, a low-power version of Intel chips slatedfor tablets, notebooks and smartphones.

The next generation 32 nm Atom platform, formerly codenamed " OakTrail," will appear in 35 tablet computers and other mobile devicesincluding Lenovo and Fujitsu in May and throughout 2011, thechipmaker giant said in a press release.

The embedded Intel Atom Z670 processor, said the company, createssmaller, thinner, fanless devices for mobile clinical assistants,industrial tablet and portable point-of-sales devices. It deliversimproved video playback up to 1080p, fast Internet browsing andlonger battery life.

Other device makers using the new Atom Z670 include MotionComputing, Razer and Viliv. The new chip, like other processors fromthe line, supports Google Android, MeeGo and Windows operatingsystems.

At the Intel Developer Forum in Beijing, which begins on Tuesday,Intel will give a sneak peak of its next-generation Atom platform,the company said.

Intel has been marginalized in the booming tablet market as itschips do not meet the power efficiency requirements of tabletcomputers and smartphones. Currently, the chip architecture from theBritain-based ARM dominates the mobile space including Apple's iPad,Samsung's Galaxy Tab and Motorola's Xoom.

NIAGARA POLICE & COURTS

'One-man crime wave' gets 5 years in prison

LOCKPORT -- A Niagara Falls man dubbed "a one-man crime wave" by Niagara County Judge Matthew J. Murphy III was sentenced to five years in prison Friday for his guilty plea to second-degree burglary.

Devan (CQ) A. Hicks, 19, of Fourth Street, was indicted for his role in three house burglaries last summer. His Feb. 19 plea bargain came as Assistant District Attorney Joseph A. Scalzo threatened to have Hicks indicted for more burglaries and a statutory rape.

Scalzo said videotape of one burglary showed Hicks carrying a television set and "wearing a backpack that appeared to be overflowing with property."

***

Drunken go-kart driver enters guilty pleas

LOCKPORT -- A Lewiston man who was arrested April 18 for drunken-driving with a go-kart down Center Street in that village pleadedguilty to two misdemeanors and a probation violation Thursday inNiagara County Court.

Ronald E. Voit, 22, of Fuller Place, admitted to misdemeanor DWI and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. The incident also constituted a violation of probation on a previous felony DWI conviction. Voit could receive up to four years in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 4 by Judge Matthew J. Murphy III.

Voit had just left the Pub Bar and Restaurant about 2 a.m. when police pursued him and stopped him at Eighth and Onondaga streets and measured his blood alcohol content at .22 percent.

***

'Cocky little thug' sentenced in holdup

LOCKPORT -- Niagara County Judge Sara Sheldon Sperrazza called a Buffalo man a "cocky little thug" Friday as she sentenced him to seven years in prison for his role in an armed robbery in Sanborn last year.

Jeffrey C. Fleischer, 20, of West Avenue, had pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree robbery for pointing a shotgun at the head of another Buffalo man in a car at Smokin' Joe's gas station on Saunders Settlement Road Jan. 9, 2009. The victim was robbed of $450 and a cell phone.

Co-defendant Nicholas Cortese, 20, of the Town of Tonawanda, pointed a handgun at the victim and supplied Fleischer with the shotgun, defense attorney A. Angelo DiMillo said. Cortese is serving 18 years in prison, three years for this robbery and 15 years for stabbing a Lockport cab driver in a separate incident. DiMillo called his client "a wannabe tough guy."

Sperrazza said she'd listened to recorded jailhouse phone callsin which Fleischer tried to arrange for his girlfriend to stash a broken gun in a house so Fleischer could try to convince police it was the one used in the robbery and hope for lesser charges.

***

Crime Stoppers seeks paint vandal

NIAGARA FALLS -- Someone spray-painted numbers, pictures and profanity last weekend at the Masonic Temple at 5269 Van Alstyne Place.

The front door, located on south side of the Masonic Temple, and the north side of the Shiv Mandir Temple, were vandalized with red spray paint, according to Crime Stoppers. The vandalism occurred between the mornings of May 21 and last Saturday.

Police are seeking assistance from the public for anyinformation. To leave an anonymous tip or information, pleasecontact Crime Stoppers toll free at 800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Calls are not electronically recorded or traced, and CrimeStoppers does not subscribe to call display. Crime Stoppers canalso be accessed on the Internet at niagaratips.ca or throughmobile texting by sending a message to 274637 with the text readingNIAGARA and then the message.

***

Guilty plea entered to two drug felonies

LOCKPORT -- A Buffalo man who was arrested last year in Niagara Falls pleaded guilty to two drug felonies Friday in Niagara County Court.

Tyshawn D. Carney, 28, of Minnesota Avenue, admitted to fifth-degree possession and attempted third-degree possession of a controlled substance. Judge Sara Sheldon Sperrazza could send Carney to prison for as long as eight years when he returns to court Aug. 3.

Carney was arrested June 10 in a house on Monroe Avenue inNiagara Falls. He had nearly an ounce of cocaine he intended tosell, along with 64 green tablets he thought were the party drugEcstasy.

Assistant District Attorney Susan B. Bjornholm said they turnedout to be benzylpiperazine, another type of stimulant.

***

Probation violator lands back in prison

LOCKPORT -- A burglar who violated the terms of his probation wassentenced to 21/2 years in prison Thursday by Niagara County Judge Matthew J. Murphy III.

Jose Rios-Baez, 35, of Fifth Street, Niagara Falls, had pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree burglary for breaking into a house on 18th Street in that city June 9, 2008.

In another Niagara Falls burglary case Thursday, Leroy L. Twitty,26, of Fourth Street, admitted to a reduced charge of attempted third-degree burglary and is to be sentenced by Murphy Aug. 5.

Twitty broke into a Spruce Avenue home April 4.

Fed: Top stories in today's Canberra Times

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-2004
Fed: Top stories in today's Canberra Times

CANBERRA, Aug 20 AAP - Top stories in today's Canberra Times:



Page 1: Canberra faces stage 3 water restrictions from September 1; ACT Health Minister
Simon Corbell reveals his battle with depression; Jana Pittman has cleared the fitness
hurdle in her battle to race at the Olympics.

Page 2: An ACT report into aged care finds there are scant resources in place for people
living in nursing homes; The building industry and a competitor have lent support to Totalcare,
which is in the spotlight over the way it won government tenders.

Page 3: Labor steps up its campaign against Prime Minister John Howard over his credibility
on the children overboard affair.

World: US tanks tightened their ring around Moqtada al-Sadr's base in Najaf as the
Iraqi government threatened an imminent offensive.

Finance: Qantas unveils a record profit but warns rising oil prices could be a catalyst
for a ticket surcharge.

Sport: Petria Thomas claims silver in the 200m butterfly; Five weightlifters banned
from the Olympics for testing positive for drugs.

AAP so/cmc

KEYWORD: FRONTERS ACT

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

QLD: Police say they have smashed international drug ring

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2004
QLD: Police say they have smashed international drug ring

Queensland police believe they have smashed an international drug syndicate after a
series of raids around Brisbane.

Queensland Police Service and Australian Crime Commission officers have executed search
warrants on 21 premises.

Nine people have been arrested on 27 charges and police have seized $5.8 million in property.

A 41-year-old man and two men aged 33 will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court tomorrow.

They are the alleged ring leaders of an international drug syndicate who will be accused
of importing drugs from the middle-east.

They face a number of charges including trafficking cocaine, heroin, amphetamines and ecstasy.

The other six people will appear in court at a later date.

The raids have netted large amounts of cocaine and heroin.

AAP RTV ch/lma/rp

KEYWORD: DRUGS (BRISBANE)

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Turnbull says legal challenge forced govt's hand on merger

AAP General News (Australia)
02-06-2004
NSW: Turnbull says legal challenge forced govt's hand on merger

SYDNEY, Feb 6 AAP - A threatened legal challenge from the City of Sydney Council forced
the NSW government to bring forward its announcement about the creation of a super council,
former lord mayor Lucy Turnbull said today.

NSW Local Government Minister Tony Kelly today announced the merger of the City of
Sydney and South Sydney councils, effectively sacking all current councillors.

Ms Turnbull said City of Sydney lawyers yesterday advised Mr Kelly that an injunction
would be sought to stop the Boundaries Commission from handing down …

NSW: Branson tips Guy to take out World Idol

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2003
NSW: Branson tips Guy to take out World Idol

By Jonathon Moran

SYDNEY, Dec 8 AAP - Sir Richard Branson had no other choice but to back Australia's
Guy Sebastian to win the World Idol crown when he opened his flagship Virgin Megastore
in Sydney today.

Sir Richard teamed up with the 21-year-old pop sensation to open the store.

"I think I won't be allowed out of the store - it has to be Guy," Sir Richard said
when asked who he was tipping to win World Idol.

The pair was surrounded by hundreds of screaming fans as Sir Richard presented Sebastian
with a special plaque to honour his success.

Sebastian shot to national stardom upon winning the popular Australian Idol reality
television series last month.

His debut album Just As I Am hit record stores today but advance sales of 300,000 copies
mean it has already hit platinum four times.

He beat fellow Idol contestant Shannon Noll during a national phone poll last month,
securing a recording contract with record label BMG Australia. Noll has since picked up
a contract with BMG.

Sebastian, known for his trademark afro hairstyle as much as his music, will fly to
London on Saturday to compete against other Idol winners from across the globe in a World
Idol contest to be screened around Christmas time.

The program will include British winner Will Young, American Idol Kelly Clarkson and
other Idol series winners from South Africa, Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway,
the Middle East, Belgium and Canada.

Meanwhile, Sir Richard's part-owned discount air carrier Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd will
list on the Australian Stock Exchange later today.

Virgin Blue is set to storm onto the Australian share market at 1200 AEDT after its
initial public offer of shares was oversubscribed more than 10 times.

The country's biggest discount airline is owned by Sir Richard's Virgin Group and Australian
transport logistics company Patrick Corp.

"I am just going to ring the bell - it feels really good, we are very positive but
you never really know with the market," Sir Richard said.

His other business ventures in Australia include a Virgin credit card.

He said today his next project would be to introduce Virgin Radio.

"We are certainly planning to," Sir Richard said.

"We are trying to get hold of a licence so we can do it so we are working on it at the moment."

AAP jwm/sd/sco/br

KEYWORD: VIRGIN BRANSON

2003 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: Marshals on international flights by Xmas, says Anderson

00-00-0000
Fed: Marshals on international flights by Xmas, says Anderson

By Rosemary Desmond

BRISBANE, Aug 1 AAP - Armed air marshals could be operating on international flightsout of Australia by Christmas, Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson said today.

The federal government yesterday revealed it was negotiating with the US and Singaporeto introduce sky marshals on international flights, extending current arrangements wherearmed security guards are posted randomly on flights within Australia.

Mr Anderson said he expected the system to be expanded to international flights bythe end of the year.

"Internationally, that is my expectation," Mr Anderson told reporters in Brisbane.

Justice Minister Chris Ellison met US officials in Washington last week to discussplans for international sky marshals.

Domestic sky marshals have been flying for 18 months.

Australia has been warned by the US it is a possible point of origin for hijacked planeswhich could be used for September 11 style attacks.

Meanwhile, Mr Anderson said tourism executives had reported signs of airline passengernumbers starting to recover after the outbreak of the SARS virus earlier this year.

"Broadly speaking, all these people are confident we have security in hand," he said.

AAP rad/sc/ldj/jlw

KEYWORD: TERROR MARSHALS ANDERSON

Vic: Safety, not politics, behind festival ban, tribunal told

00-00-0000
Vic: Safety, not politics, behind festival ban, tribunal told

MELBOURNE, Feb 19 AAP - Concern for crowd safety, not politics, was the reason thespiritual group Falun Dafa was excluded from last year's Chinese New Year Festival inMelbourne, a tribunal heard today.

Members of Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, are claiming in the Victorian andCivil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) they were discriminated against by the festival hostsbecause of their political and religious views.

Opening the case for the Federation of Chinese Association (FCA), Paul Vout said organisers'concerns over the potential consequences of the group's controversial views lay behindthe refusal to accept their application.

"This hearing is not about Shanghai-based anti-religious bigotry reaching out to LittleBourke Street," Dr Vout said.

Nor was the case about the oppressive dictates of the Chinese government and its treatmentof its citizens.

Instead, the case centred on "one decision" by the festival hosts, their legal responsibilitiesand their preparedness to accept the consequences that could arise from allowing FalunDafa a stall at the event, Dr Vout said.

When controversial political views could provoke conflict and scuffles there was alegitimate basis for rejecting the group, Dr Vout said.

Large numbers were expected at the festival, including many families, and the FalunDafa group were known to display explicit photos, he said.

The group was advised their application had been denied by the festival hosts justone day before the 2002 event began despite complaining to the Victorian Equal OpportunityCommission over an earlier rejection.

Yesterday their lawyer Mark Irving told the tribunal the group was not given a reasonfor the rejection.

"The question of the refusal is going to be central. We say that the real reasons forthe refusal were the religious and political views and activities of the organisation."

Falun Dafa claims the Chinese government has persecuted, tortured and killed hundredsof practitioners since it was banned in China in 1999.

It is believed there are as many as 100 million members of the group in China, andits teachings are practised in more than 50 countries.

The hearing continues.

A Falun Dafa spokeswoman today said the group had not applied to attend the 2003 ChineseNew Year festival in the city.

AAP nl/dk/ldj/br

KEYWORD: FALUN

NSW: $1 billion plan to solve DOCS crisis

00-00-0000
NSW: $1 billion plan to solve DOCS crisis

By Tracey Ferrier

SYDNEY, Dec 18 AAP - NSW's embattled Department of Community Services (DOCS) will getan extra $1 billion over five years as the government attempts to solve the mountain ofproblems plaguing its child protection services.

Community Services Minister Carmel Tebbutt today announced a five-year strategic plan,a week after an upper house committee report found the child protection agency was inadequate.

In October, the annual report of the NSW Child Death Review Team revealed that 16 ofthe 21 children who died from abuse or neglect last year were known to DOCS.

And NSW Ombudsman Bruce Barbour handed down a damning report which found overworkedDOCS staff had been unable to properly deal with child abuse reports while basic paperworkwas non-existent or inadequate.

The new money will provide for an extra 875 additional frontline caseworkers, on topof the 1,100 caseworkers already in the department.

It also includes $400 million to oversee children in out-of-home care, $150 millionfor early intervention services and $20 million in additional support for front-line workers.

An extra $1 billion will be pumped into the department over five years, and in additionDOCS' annual recurrent budget will climb from $641 million this year to just over $1 billionin 2007/08.

But the department will only get an extra $40 million this financial year and $81 millionin 2003/04, with most of the money to be delivered from 2005/06 onwards.

The first 150 of the extra 875 caseworkers will be provided in 2003/04 and are in additionto the 130 provided for under the current state budget.

Today Ms Tebbutt admitted DOCS was struggling to cope with a massive increase in thenumber of reports of suspected child abuse, which had spiralled from 33,000 in 1994/95to 160,000 this year.

"(The money) addresses the increasing number of reports of concern about children byincreasing the number of frontline caseworkers," she told reporters today.

"But importantly it also invests significant resources into early intervention servicesso that small problems don't become big problems."

She said the plan responded comprehensively to the Ombudsman's findings and to theupper house committee report, which pushed for more resources.

Further changes could flow from the Kibble report, due early next year.

But Opposition community services spokesman Brad Hazzard slammed the plan as too little,too late.

"In the time that Bob Carr has been premier 650 children have died in NSW," he said.

"It's taken him eight years to agree that some additional resources should go into DOCS."

Mr Hazzard reiterated calls for a Royal Commission into DOCS to ensure any new fundingwas spent wisely.

Association of Children's Welfare Agencies (ACWA) chief executive Nigel Spence latersaid he was happy with the plan although it was overdue.

"This crisis has been building for some time," said Mr Spence, whose organisation workstowards improving the quality of services to children and young people.

"We're very pleased that this is not just putting money into more child protectionofficers, but also major resources are going into out-of-home care and community-basedfamily support services."

Long-time DOCS critic Public Service Association of NSW secretary Maurie O'Sullivanalso welcomed the plan, saying many had suffered before something was done.

"It's happened and I'm delighted," Mr O'Sullivan said.

AAP tnf/nf/drp/de

KEYWORD: DOCS NIGHTLEAD

Fed: Unions face power sharing with normal members in ALP

00-00-0000
Fed: Unions face power sharing with normal members in ALP

By Shane Wright

CANBERRA, Aug 11 AAP - Unionists had a central role to play in the future of the ALPbut they would have to share that with rank-and-file members, senior party figures saidtoday.

Opposition Leader Simon Crean and former prime minister Bob Hawke said unions couldnot take their position in Labor for granted.

It follows the release of an internal review headed by Mr Hawke and former NSW premierNeville Wran which made 38 recommendations on party reform.

They include reducing union representation at the party's federal and state conferences,while increasing the chance for unionists to contribute to party policy.

Mr Crean said there had been a deliberate attempt to dilute union power at the conferencelevel, putting it on a more equal footing with rank-and-file members.

But unions would not be shut out as the reforms gave unions the chance to contributedirectly on policy development in areas such as paid maternity leave, he said.

"You can call that strengthening if you like, but it will be strengthening around theirability to have an input into the policy formulation - no veto powers, and a right toparticipate more actively in the issues that matter to them," he said.

Mr Crean said if the party was more inclusive it would be more attractive to votersand potential members.

"Unless we open ourselves up, unless we're more inclusive, unless we're better connectedto what people out there think they won't vote for us," he said.

Mr Hawke rejected Liberal Party suggestions that union power had been increased underhis proposals, saying unions would have to fight rank-and-file members to get their policiesaccepted.

"The important thing is that they will have a better opportunity of making their (unions')views heard and then what weight is given to those views will be a matter for the partyleadership and organs within the party," he said.

Treasurer Peter Costello said Mr Crean was set to adopt changes that would increasethe hold of unions on Labor.

"So, here's Creaney - diagnoses the problem as undue union control and comes up withan answer to magnify the problem and does it in such a contortionary (contortionary) waythat people say that it's a good policy," he told ABC Television.

Labor national secretary Geoff Walsh said the party had learnt from the last federalpoll and would put out its policies well ahead of election day.

"I think everyone accepts that we will see more policy in the period ahead of the electionand perhaps an opportunity to get that out and to push the Labor view over a longer view,"

he said.

AAP sw/kjp/cdh/br

KEYWORD: ALP NIGHTLEAD

Qld: Police to view video footage to find killer

00-00-0000
Qld: Police to view video footage to find killer

Police hope surveillance footage from Toowoomba nightspots will lead them to the killerwho sexually assaulted a young mother before strangling her.

TAMARA JUNE SMITH, aged 24, was found partially hanging from a tree with a strap aroundher neck in a vacant lot in Isabel Street just after 10am (AEST) on Easter Sunday.

Detective Inspector NOEL RAGH says police are examining video footage from ToowoombaCity Council cameras and hotels and nightclubs to track down Ms SMITH'S last movements.

He says Ms SMITH, the mother of a six-year-old boy, was refused entry to Rumours Nightclubin Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, about 4am on the day her body was found.

About 30 minutes later she was seen talking to a man aged in his mid-twenties in CliffordStreet, which adjoins the street where her body was found.

Police are anxious to question the man described as caucasian, about 180cm with broadshoulders and light, collar-length hair.

AAP RTV jhm/sc/ld/sal

KEYWORD: BELT (BRISBANE)

Tas: British breakthrough on Aboriginal remains

00-00-0000
Tas: British breakthrough on Aboriginal remains

By Don Woolford

HOBART, Jan 2 AAP - The decision by the Royal College of Surgeons in Britain to returnits Tasmanian Aboriginal remains was today hailed by Aboriginal leaders as a major breakthroughin the campaign to have ancestors' body parts returned.

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre secretary Trudy Maluga said the remains included some hairand skin from Truganini, the last full-blooded Tasmanian Aborigine, who died in 1876.

Ms Maluga said the college's holding, kept at Oxford University's Museum of NaturalHistory, included three skulls and seven jaws which still had strings used to ward …

NSW: Odometer tampering costs dealer $17,000

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2001
NSW: Odometer tampering costs dealer $17,000

SYDNEY, Aug 21 AAP - An unlicensed motor dealer from Wollongong who wound back the
speedos of two cars has been ordered to pay fines, compensation and legal costs of more
than $17,000.

60-year-old Kevin Horsfall, of The Esplanade at Oak Flats, was yesterday fined a total
of $9,000 in Wollongong Court for unlicensed motor dealing and two counts of interfering
with odometers.

NSW Fair Trading Minister John Watkins said the penalty imposed reflected the seriousness
of the offences.

"The man wound back the speedos in two cars by a total of 672,834km," Mr Watkins said.

"Most people use speedo readings to judge the condition of a vehicle, so it is a particularly
miserable rip-off."

Horsfall was ordered to pay $4,300 compensation to the buyers and he forfeited $1,800
in proceeds from the sales. He also had to pay the department's court costs of $1,974.

The first car, which Mr Horsfall paid $1,350 for, was sold to a buyer from nearby Albion
Park for $4,500.

The second car cost the unlicensed dealer $900 but it was sold to a consumer from Cordeax
Heights, also near Wollongong, for $4,500.

AAP gmw/vr/

KEYWORD: TAMPER

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

QLD: One Nation MP on L Plates

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2001
QLD: One Nation MP on L Plates

By Ainsley Pavey

BRISBANE, April 5 AAP - One Nation MP Elisa Roberts is learning to drive in the parliamentary
fast lane after graduating from work-for-the-dole to a $92,000 a year job.

The 30-year-old former Sydneysider had to get a learner's permit to drive her taxpayer-funded
Commodore after her stunning upset victory in the former National Party stronghold of
Gympie in February's Queensland election.

But for the next six months the former soldier, whose earnings have skyrocketed from
almost nothing to more than $92,000-a-year, has to rely on her mother to transport her
to parliament house while she takes driving lessons.

"It's not too bad. I'm only 12 years behind most people who get their licence at 18,"

Ms Roberts said.

The University of New South Wales arts graduate is still coming to grips with her new
job after working for the dole in the Cooloola Regional Development Bureau for four months
before she snared the prized National seat held for 44 years.

"I read more in a day here than I did during my degree and that was a lot because I
did English literature as my major," she said.

"You're so busy you don't really have time to sit down and say 'this is what I'm doing'.

It will probably be three years before it hits me. You really work for it."

The One Nation MP, who uprooted and moved from her home in Bondi three years ago to
start anew in Queensland, jokes about being a "Bondi girl".

An only child with divorced parents, she joined her retired mother in the tiny inland
town of Amamoor, near Gympie, and convinced her father to leave Sydney to settle in the
area.

Full of youthful exuberance as the baby of the party's parliamentary trio which includes
leader Bill Flynn (Lockyer) and Rosa Lee Long (Tablelands), Miss Roberts has already asked
several questions in parliament.

But the reality of facing off against Labor's 66-seat majority is frustrating for her.

She invited Premier Peter Beattie and Health Minister Wendy Edmond to a forum at the
troubled Gympie hospital where doctors have resigned in protest over conditions.

"Surely they could spend a couple of hours in their day to reassure those Queenslanders,
that's disappointing," she said.

The red-headed crossbencher is preparing her maiden speech for the May sittings where
she aims to state her commitment to her electorate to work hard for the next three years.

She has gained a few tips from One Nation president Pauline Hanson since her first
day in parliament a few weeks ago.

One Nation has been the butt of Labor jokes after the post-1998 implosion in which
11 One Nation MPs split during the deregistration debacle.

But she said she was ready for whatever Labor dishes out.

"They have their jokes at One Nation but that's cool," she said. "I laugh.

"Pauline's around, we can ring her if we want help but we don't need our hands held."

AAP ap/sc/mg/sb

KEYWORD: NATION ROBERTS (WITH PIX)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Qld: Alarm over beach rage

AAP General News (Australia)
01-14-2001
Qld: Alarm over beach rage

BRISBANE, Jan 14 AAP - Surf livesavers deserved thanks from the public rather than abuse,
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said today.

Mr Beattie was concerned at a recent spate of threats and attacks against lifesavers
on some Queensland beaches for trying to keep swimmers between the flags.

"They deserve our thanks not abuse from anybody," Mr Beattie told reporters.

Police were reportedly investigating an incident on a Cairns beach last month when
a lifeguard was hit over the head with a surf ski by an angry swimmer.

Surf Life Saving Queensland …

Vic: Strike at Karadoc ends as workers win hefty pay rise

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2000
Vic: Strike at Karadoc ends as workers win hefty pay rise

An 11-day strike at one of the vineyards of Olympic sponsor Southcorp has ended with
workers winning a hefty pay rise.

About 200 workers at Karadoc Winery in Victoria's north-west are set to resume normal
duties tomorrow after winning their demand for a 18 per cent wage increase over three
years.

Australian Workers' Union state secretary BILL SHORTEN says the rise has given workers
parity with the pay and conditions of employees at Southcorp's Great Western winery.

He says the deal will give workers an average of $60 a week extra in their pay.

AAP RTV hmg/jd/wz/jn

KEYWORD: KARADOC (MELBOURNE)

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: Bracks govt hid positive report on AWAs Reith

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2000
Fed: Bracks govt hid positive report on AWAs Reith

Workplace Relations Minister PETER REITH says the Victorian government has suppressed
a report showing non-union workplace contracts have been enthusiastically taken up by
staff of a state public sector agency.

Mr REITH says the action shows the government of Premier STEVE BRACKS is putting the
trade union movement ahead of the rights of taxpayers and workers.

Australian Workplace Agreements have generally been spurned by unions who say the AWAs
are eroding workers' rights and union power.

AWAs are signed by individual employees who can then be sued by their employers if
they take industrial action.

Shortly after being elected last year, the Bracks government abolished AWAs for state
government employees.

The federal government's Employment Advocate says 100,000 AWAs have so far been approved.

But Professor of Industrial Relations at Monash University, GERRY GRIFFIN, says the
100,000 figure is not a big achievement given the eight million members of Australia's
workforce.

AAP RTV dep/msk

KEYWORD: CONTRACTS (CANBERRA)

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

FED: Strike action set to go ahead despite court orders

AAP General News (Australia)
01-13-2000
FED: Strike action set to go ahead despite court orders

By Natalie Davison Industrial Reporter

SYDNEY, Jan 12 AAP - Workers walked off the job at BHP's Port Kembla steelworks plant
tonight in an industrial dispute set to worsen.

BHP earlier today accused unions of orchestrating a nation-wide industrial campaign
against the company as 4,000 steel workers made good their threat to down tools tonight.

Workers at BHP's biggest steelworks, at Port Kembla in New South Wales, began walking
off the job at 11.20pm in defiance of a state Industrial Relations Commission order.

Striking steel …

Andrew Peacock set to quit as Aust ambassador to US

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-1999
Andrew Peacock set to quit as Aust ambassador to US

One-time prime ministerial contender and current ambassador to the US, ANDREW PEACOCK, is
set to quit his post.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports Mr PEACOCK has told the federal government he'll quit the
diplomatic circuit in Washington early next year.

The Herald says he's tipped to pursue private business interests in either the US or
Australia.

Mr PEACOCK is widely recognised as Australia's most successful ambassador to the US, having
a contact book which includes many names of US political and economic powerbrokers.

AAP RTV pwa/rp

KEYWORD: PEACOCK (SYDNEY)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

VIC: Opposition calls for gas cheats to be named in parliament

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-1999
VIC: Opposition calls for gas cheats to be named in parliament

The Victorian opposition says hundreds of people who ignored restrictions during last
year's gas crisis should be named in state parliament if they can't be prosecuted under
existing laws.

Opposition energy spokesman PETER LONEY says 450 people believed to have flouted
restrictions during the two-week gas shutdown appear unlikely to be prosecuted under current
laws, which are unclear and flawed.

He says those who ignored the restrictions -- which followed a fatal explosion and fire at
Esso's Longford gas plant -- should be tabled in parliament to embarrass them.

Those who used gas when meters were supposed to be turned off during the crisis were
threatened with fines of $10,000 for individuals and $100,000 for businesses.

Mr LONEY says the government originally estimated about 450 people would be prosecuted for
flouting the restrictions but he says this number is now down to a couple of cases.

He says the government has to act immediately to restore community confidence.

The government says the matter is in the hands of the Office of Gas Safety.

AAP RTV ba/imc/am

KEYWORD: GAS (MELBOURNE)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Vic: Logging protesters brawl with mill owner

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-1998
Vic: Logging protesters brawl with mill owner

MELBOURNE, Dec 14 AAP - Anti-woodchips protesters who locked themselves onto gear in a
sawmill in eastern Victoria were attacked and had high-pressure hoses turned on them by
workers and management, a spokeswoman said today.

Michelle van Gerrevink, from the Goongerah Environment Centre, told AAP at least five of
the 30 protesters were injured when workers at the Cann River mill decided to forcibly remove
their peaceful blockade early this morning.

She said a number of protesters had locked themselves to part of the mill but were forced
to release themselves when the hosing began.

She said one person was punched in the face, and was taken to hospital where he would need
stitches for a cut, while a young woman was grabbed around the throat.

Mill owner Bob Humphreys told AAP the conservationists had trespassed on his land and he
claimed they assaulted him.

"A number of them locked up to my sawmill stopping my 18 men from working," he told AAP.

"Weve had a bout of hot weather so we thought wed check our fire hoses were working."

He said it was about the sixth time the group had protested outside the mill.

"I dont know why they chose to have a wrestle this time," he said.

"It wasnt very fair that they come along and stop 18 guys being productive as they had in
the past and it was only a matter of half, three quarters of an hour and they were gone."

Ms Gerrevink said the informal alliance of environmentalists was concerned Mr Humphreys was
the director of the mill and also director of East Gippsland Logging, which had just been
awarded a government contract to log in the area.

"It is absolutely appalling when a director of East Gippsland Logging starts throwing
punches and encouraging his workers to use violence against protesters," she said.

"We have had reports that he promised to pay his workers fines for any assault charges
that may be laid."

Mr Humphreys said the contract was let to East Gippsland Logging by the Department of
Natural Resources and Environment about 12 months ago and everything was running smoothly.

"This decision to log comes after many years of extensive studies. Its about time they
accepted the umpires decision," he told AAP.

A police spokeswoman confirmed an officer had gone to the mill at about 7am and a man had
gone with him back to Cann River police station to report an assault.

Ms Gerrevink said protesters had written to state Conservation Minister Marie Tehan and
federal Environment Minister Robert Hill but had received no response.

AAP hmg/ra/bjm/br

KEYWORD: WOODCHIPS

1998 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

FED:PM Gillard confirms Aust death in NZ

AAP General News (Australia)
02-23-2011
FED:PM Gillard confirms Aust death in NZ

CANBERRA, Feb 23 AAP - Prime Minister Julia Gillard has confirmed a long-term Australian
resident has died in the Christchurch earthquake.

Ms Gillard told reporters in Canberra the man was a New Zealander by birth but has
been an …