Latest news with #Castor
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Part of Highway 12 near Castor closed due to serious collision
Highway 12 and Township Road 380 was closed Wednesday afternoon due to a serious collision. (Google Street View) RCMP say they are on the scene of a serious collision on Highway 12 west of Castor, Alta. The highway will be closed in both directions between Castor and Township Road 380 until further notice, Mounties said in a public notice at 1:45 p.m. They asked the public to avoid the area. Castor is about 130 kilometres east of Red Deer. More to come …
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Two stunning conjunctions will light up the night sky in June. Here's how to see them.
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Two rare twilight pairings will grace the June 2025 sky as the moon first passes close to elusive Mercury and then gets stunningly close to Mars. Mercury is typically difficult to see and the conjunction between Mars and the moon will be particularly close, so both will be special sights for skywatchers. The moon and Mercury meet-up comes as the "Swift Planet," which orbits the sun every 88 days, emerges from our star's glare into the post-sunset sky between June 21 and 30. According to NASA, Mercury will be visible just above the western horizon for 30 to 45 minutes after sunset. On Thursday (June 26), a very slim crescent moon will appear between Mercury and the two bright stars in the constellation Gemini — Pollux and Castor — causing a brief line of lights in the post-sunset night sky. On Friday (June 27), the crescent moon will be higher in the sky, just above Mercury. Precisely how low Mercury is, and how long it's observable during this period, depends on your location, so check or Stellarium. That also applies to seeing what is arguably the skywatching highlight of the month on Sunday (June 29), when amateur astronomers will get a stunning view of a 24%-illuminated crescent moon directly beneath Mars in the constellation Leo, with just 0.2 degrees (12 arcminutes) separating them. The two worlds will appear so close that a fingertip held at arm's length will cover them. RELATED STORIES —The 10 best stargazing events of 2025 —Full moons of 2025: When is the next full moon? —Have all 8 planets ever aligned? The sight will be high in the western sky and easily visible without any equipment, but the two celestial bodies will be so close that they'll fit into the same field of view of a telescope. Although it's rare to see the moon and Mercury together in the night sky, and the closeness of the moon and Mars is also unusual, conjunctions between our natural satellite and planets are not uncommon. Planets orbit the sun on more or less the same plane, called the ecliptic. It's the same path the sun takes through the daytime sky as seen from Earth. The moon's orbit of Earth isn't quite the same, but its rather wobbly path differs from the ecliptic by only five degrees. Twice a month, the moon crosses the ecliptic (hence the name, because that sometimes causes solar and lunar eclipses), so it can come particularly close to a planet as seen from our terrestrial viewpoint. The next significant close planetary conjunction will be the meeting of Venus and Jupiter in the pre-dawn hours of Aug. 12, when the two brightest planets will form a dazzlingly close pair. Originally published on Live Science.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. DeSantis signs laws cracking down on squatters in Florida
The Brief Governor Ron DeSantis signed two bills to protect motels, hotels, restaurants and commercial business owners from squatters. The governor said other states will regret letting squatting get out of hand. The new law expedites the process for commercial property owners to get rid of squatters. SARASOTA, Fla. - Squatting is a growing problem nationwide, including in Florida, and a state law passed last year aimed at protecting homeowners from squatters. However, Governor Ron DeSantis signed two bills on Monday that strengthen Florida's crackdown on squatting. The new measures give more rights to commercial property owners as well as owners of motels, hotels and restaurants. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Local perspective The Westin Sarasota provides a luxurious stay for guests, but in August, one woman outstayed her welcome. After causing scenes in the hotel pool and dining area, the manager called the Sarasota Police Department. Body camera footage posted on YouTube by Florida Cop Cam showed the struggle to make her leave. "She had a lot of erratic behavior. Yesterday she was drinking at the rooftop and got really intoxicated. We asked her to leave. She kept coming back," said the manager. READ: Rep. Castor calls out federal government for removing hurricane assistance Big picture view Lawmakers want to make sure hotel, motel, restaurant and commercial property owners are protected from squatters. "It's a big win for the hotel industry. Hospitality industry as a whole. We are excited about this bill and what it does, it protects the hotels and innkeepers," said Gil Reyes, the regional general manager for Westin Sarasota. Senate Bill 322 expedites the process for law enforcement to remove unauthorized occupants from commercial properties. It also provides property owners with a streamlined process to regain possession of their property while also protecting them from financial losses and property damage due to squatters. Senate Bill 606 strengthens the rights of hotels and food establishments while preventing hotel guests from claiming residency. MORE: International students face uncertainty as U.S. visa interviews halted "You're either paying or you're not and if you're not, it shouldn't evolve into some major landlord tenant dispute; The person should just be escorted off the property and leave. I think this is something that will be really good for our economy. Property rights are really important. If you don't have private property rights you cannot have a free society," said DeSantis. Why you should care State Representative Peggy Gossett-Sideman of Boca Raton brought the issue to light. "They run under the radar, because we didn't have the teeth in the statues to try and remove them in all cases," she said. Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman said it's a problem his deputies have run into. "Those folks are trying to make money, pay their employees, pay their rent. Many times we would come in there and find the facilities destroyed," he said. READ: Gov. DeSantis vetoes Florida medical malpractice bill to repeal 'Free Kill' law The bills now give business and property owners stronger rights to protect what they've worked to build. "Having that language in there that defines what transient is makes it easier for my deputies to go out and get these folks out and restore that," said Hoffman. What's next Senate bill 322 introduces specific criminal penalties for unauthorized occupancy and fraudulent property listings. The bill aims to stop squatters from teaching or encouraging others to do the same. The Source The information was gathered by FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon at a bill signing by Governor Ron DeSantis today in Sarasota. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Congresswoman calls on federal government amid cuts and start of 2025 hurricane season
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – One congresswoman said the federal government has taken a chainsaw to federal agencies that help you before, during, and after a hurricane. 'Right now, I cannot report that the federal government is there in every way that they were there last hurricane season, unfortunately,' said Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14). Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Castor said the federal government has taken a chainsaw to federal agencies that forecast, track, and respond to hurricanes. In addition, she does not have the confidence that FEMA will be there like they were following Debbie, Helene, and Milton. Castor called it new territory. 'I've never seen it this bad before, and I've lived here for 40 years,' said Nancy Biddle, St. Pete Beach homeowner. NHC watching area off Florida coast for potential tropical development Inspectors have determined Biddle will need to make major changes to storm-proof her St. Pete Beach property against future hurricanes. She applied for the Elevate Florida program in February. She is waiting to hear if help is on the way or if funding cuts could leave her high and dry.'The back and forth whether FEMA should exist at all, does not lend itself having full confidence that they are going to be the partner on the ground that we saw in the aftermath of Helene and Milton,' Castor said. The congresswoman is looking to local leaders to build confidence that the help people need will be there is hurricane season, but she said it's not enough as Floridians, like Biddle, are still waiting for assistance.'This, unfortunately, is reflected in the monies that they are withholding from local communities like St. Pete, Pinellas, Tampa, and Hillsborough as well,' Castor state is relying on $400 million in federal funds to pay for Elevate Florida, which stopped accepting new applications on April 11, citing funding limitations. That same day, the Federal Emergency Management Agency eliminated $300 million in funding for another program meant to help make communities across Florida less vulnerable to storms. It was called the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, or BRIC. In a statement, a FEMA spokesperson wrote: 'The BRIC program was yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program. It was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters.''FEMA can be more efficient, but calls to eliminate it and then to take a chainsaw 2,000 experts who understand how to respond to disasters across the country… this is new territory,' said is running out for Biddle.'If this, as the government program has ended, we're kind of right back where we started,' said Biddle. As of last month, the Florida Division of Emergency Management said Elevate Florida had not yet been funded. FEMA has not yet responded to our requests about Castor's comments. 8 On Your Side also reached out for comment to Rep. Gus Bilirakis' (R-FL) office about the federal cuts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Kathy Castor says NOAA, federal cuts have left Florida vulnerable to hurricanes
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Florida, said the federal agency cuts under the Trump administration may leave Tampa Bay vulnerable to potential hurricane dangers. Castor spoke at a press conference with St. Petersburg city officials Monday as the city discussed hurricane preparedness. VIDEOS: Tampa battered by quarter-sized hail 'Chief Holloway, under Mayor Welch's leadership, and Amber Bolding, head of emergency preparedness, they are really very forward leaning,' Castor said. 'In what you heard from Amber is they have taken so much of what they've learned from the catastrophes of Debby, Helene and Milton, and they're pouring that into preparing, for that worst-case scenario.' However, Castor was less optimistic about the federal government's ability to handle the 2025 hurricane season so far, blaming the 'chainsaw cuts' under President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. 'We don't have the same number of meteorologists, hurricane hunter experts, folks on the job preparing for an active hurricane season,' the congresswoman said. 'Now, the National Hurricane Center says they will be able to deal with what comes, but it's a vulnerability moving forward.' She also said FEMA is 'not entirely prepared' for potential hurricanes this year due to their cuts. 'It was days after the storm surge of Hurricane Helene, and I saw the FEMA contractors on the ground checking on our neighbors, making sure they had the emergency funds necessary to get them through that, that emergency response period,' Castor said. 'And I cannot say, based upon what I've heard over the past months and talking with, with experts, that they are going to be there.' While she did say that Florida is still better equipped than any other state to handle natural disasters on the local level, the cuts to funds for local communities is going to hamper preparations and recovery. 'Right now, they have cut back on the building resilient infrastructure grants that local communities were relying on,' Castor said. 'They've cut back on the hazard mitigation grants. Those are the funds that help you rebuild seawalls, roads, water infrastructure, and they have announced over the past couple of weeks that that local communities will not get those same funds. So it's a time now for folks to be vigilant, to look out for their neighbors to take some extra added responsibility.' NOAA has predicted an above-average hurricane season for 2025. 'We know we just hope and pray this is not the new normal, but what we know is that the Gulf waters are very hot,' Castor said. 'We know … that NOAA has is predicting an active hurricane season. The climate is heating their longer, hotter summers. Just last week, we said we set, all time records for, in Tampa.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
