Latest news with #FES
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Dorpse July raises not only funds but spirits too
The Rotary Club of Krugersdorp and Friends of Emergency Services (FES) took hands to raise funds by racing fictitious donkeys at their annual Dorpse July. • Also read: Rotary Anns gather for annual conference One of the directors at FES, Angie van den Berg, said this was their second Dorpse July, which is a beloved Donkey Derby event and was once again a wonderful success. 'This year it was held in support of FES, where the event brought together around 120 attendees for an evening of fun, laughter, and giving back to the community,' she said. Angie added that the fundraiser aided vital emergency services needs in the area. Funds will be shared between Rotary and FES to directly support their ongoing community work. 'The atmosphere was relaxed and joyful, with attendees enjoying every moment of the derby. One of the highlights of the evening came when guests spontaneously stepped forward to make additional donations; a heartwarming gesture that reminded us all of the power of community and the importance of the cause,' she explained. The Krugersdorp News attended the evening, where stick horses were used as the racing donkeys. Participants could then bid on the donkey to cross the finish line. The winning bidder could then get on one of the multi-coloured donkeys they won, and two pairs of dice were thrown. One dice determined the colour of which donkey moved forward, and another dice determined how far he would move. There were prizes for the winners of the race, as well as for people who bet on the winning horse. The evening concluded with an auction, with all proceeds to benefit organisations. 'The Dorpse July is now a staple annual event, and we're already looking forward to an even bigger and better derby in 2026! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and contributed – your support makes all the difference,' Angie concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Clay County Schools faces $10M budget hole ahead of new school year
Clay County Schools Superintendent David Broskie says the district is facing a $10 million budget shortfall heading into the 2025-2026 school year. 'Right now, the county's costs are more than the money that we make,' the superintendent shared. In a May workshop meeting, the county leader named inflation, uncertainty with the state budget, and decreased enrollment as some reasons the county is facing a loss. The superintendent's budget presentation showed 500 fewer students enrolled in the county, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. 'So if you look at it... The difference of about 500 students... you're looking at about 4 million dollars just there,' Broskie said. The report also detailed the millions of dollars in local and state funds going towards Family Empowerment Scholarships (FES), or private school vouchers. Related: Mayor Deegan signs resolution calling on Florida to continue funding advanced courses It's something the superintendent named as another contributor to the county's budget deficit. In fiscal year 2024- 2025, over $24.3 million in aid went towards the vouchers. That's a jump from the $16.8 million that local and state governments paid out in FY 2023-2024. By the next fiscal year, the superintendent said that early estimates show that number will increase to $30 million. To better manage the county's budget, district leaders are reviewing all district and school allocations. The move will affect hundreds of school employees. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Clay County Spokesperson, Terri Dennis, sent Action News Jax this response: 'To proactively manage our resources and align with our projected budget, we have made adjustments to approximately 200 employee allocations. We want to assure our community that all employees impacted by these shifts have been offered new positions for which they are certified or qualified. These opportunities span a variety of roles, including instructional, support, and administrative positions, ensuring that we continue to leverage the talents of our dedicated staff. Superintendent Broskie also says the county is making other adjustments to better manage its resources during this financial challenge, like; Renegotiating district contracts Evaluating the profitability of all district programs Pausing all travel expenses Initiating a hiring freeze Florida lawmakers continue their state budget negotiations in Tallahassee. The legislative session was supposed to end on May 2nd. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Cision Canada
03-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
CFIB statement on the need for the 2025 budget Français
TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - We're pleased to see talk in Ottawa about advancing a spring budget after all. Small businesses are waiting on word on at least five outstanding measures from the 2024 budget and Fall Economic Statement (FES). They include: The tax status of the $2.5 billion small business carbon rebate delivered in December (CRA says it is taxable until government introduces a change). Changes to and delivery of the $623 million small business carbon rebate for 2024/25 (the FES proposed a new formula and government is now sitting on the rebates). A legislative change to allow businesses to qualify for the earlier carbon rebate by filing their returns for those years before Dec. 31, 2024. A bump in the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) to $1.25 million backdated to June 25, 2024 (introduced but not passed, promised by Prime Minister Carney too). The fate of the new Canadian Entrepreneurs' Incentive (backdated to Jan. 1, 2025) to lower the inclusion rate to 33% on a lifetime maximum of $2 million in eligible capital gains. All of these measures are supposed to be in place today, but were delayed due to the filibuster, prorogation of Parliament and election. Only one is temporarily supported by CRA (the LCGE change). A budget would provide the window for government to introduce the legislation, which should all be ready to go from the last Parliament. Without action, small businesses filing their 2024 taxes in June are required to pay corporate income tax on their share of the $2.5 billion carbon rebate they've already received and spent. Then, CRA is suggesting 600,000 small business owners file an amendment to get the tax back when the legislation change is made. This makes no sense at all. Among the best things the federal government could do to address the massive economic and trade uncertainty facing SMEs is to provide them with certainty on these tax measures. They have all been promised, are ready to go and should be part of a 2025 budget this legislative session. - Dan Kelly, President, CFIB About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CFIB statement on the need for the 2025 budget
TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - We're pleased to see talk in Ottawa about advancing a spring budget after all. Small businesses are waiting on word on at least five outstanding measures from the 2024 budget and Fall Economic Statement (FES). They include: The tax status of the $2.5 billion small business carbon rebate delivered in December (CRA says it is taxable until government introduces a change). Changes to and delivery of the $623 million small business carbon rebate for 2024/25 (the FES proposed a new formula and government is now sitting on the rebates). A legislative change to allow businesses to qualify for the earlier carbon rebate by filing their returns for those years before Dec. 31, 2024. A bump in the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) to $1.25 million backdated to June 25, 2024 (introduced but not passed, promised by Prime Minister Carney too). The fate of the new Canadian Entrepreneurs' Incentive (backdated to Jan. 1, 2025) to lower the inclusion rate to 33% on a lifetime maximum of $2 million in eligible capital gains. All of these measures are supposed to be in place today, but were delayed due to the filibuster, prorogation of Parliament and election. Only one is temporarily supported by CRA (the LCGE change). A budget would provide the window for government to introduce the legislation, which should all be ready to go from the last Parliament. Without action, small businesses filing their 2024 taxes in June are required to pay corporate income tax on their share of the $2.5 billion carbon rebate they've already received and spent. Then, CRA is suggesting 600,000 small business owners file an amendment to get the tax back when the legislation change is made. This makes no sense at all. Among the best things the federal government could do to address the massive economic and trade uncertainty facing SMEs is to provide them with certainty on these tax measures. They have all been promised, are ready to go and should be part of a 2025 budget this legislative session. - Dan Kelly, President, CFIB About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at SOURCE Canadian Federation of Independent Business View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Kanji Ka Guda: How Aravalli common lands are shared by people, birds and animals
Gogunda: In sharp contrast to some parts of Aravallis where mining and real estate are threatening common lands, in Rajasthan's Gogunda, a network of ponds is being conserved, utilised and carefully rationed by villagers. The rules are clear: use water efficiently for irrigation from wetlands, leave the rest for livestock, wild animals, insects and birds. Gogunda's Kanji Ka Guda is an example of how wetlands, pastures, hills, small streams and sacred groves are carefully managed as 'common' lands spanning around 400 hectares of Aravalli landscape. 'The rule is that villagers can take water only for the Rabi crop. There is enough water for the crop. The rest will be left for livestock, animals and birds because if there is no water, there is no life,' said Bawar Singh (70), head of charagah samiti, a local committee, particularly in Rajasthan, that is responsible for managing and developing pasture land. These wetlands are created through the collection of rainwater in natural depressions and help irrigate crop land where wheat, mustard, chickpeas, fenugreek among others. 'Many animals and birds visit us here. There are big fish in these ponds. Nature is in its bounty because there is water left in these ponds almost all the time. Nobody is allowed to source water beyond the limit among the 100 families that source ,' added Singh. Water is diverted to the village for irrigation through a gravity dam. Those with least or no irrigation facility at all are prioritised in water rationing from the wetland's water. Foundation For Ecological Security has been studying how the network of 10 ponds and the hills here that feed the Banas river create an ecological habitat for birds and insects. They have been monitoring water quality, ecological indicators such as presence of dragon and damselfly and birds. 'We are trying to study and facilitate efficient use of shamlath (common) lands in these parts of Aravallis. This area is significant because it is the Aravallis and a fair usage of commons such as forests, wetlands, hillocks can be seen here among people who are traditionally livestock rearers. The benefits they are getting from the common lands are obvious,' said Vinod Paliwal, senior programme manager, Foundation For Ecological Security. Apart from limited cultivation, livestock rearing and collection of minor forest produce, villagers also depend on Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme or the 100-day work programme for round the year sustenance. Caste is a dominant factor in all villages here with several social norms determined by caste dynamics. But when it comes to 'commons' the rules are even. 'You may say that caste inequities take a backseat when it comes to common resources,' added Paliwal. Gogunda is largely dominated by scheduled tribes from the Meena, Gametia and Garasia but Rajputs and other general category populations are also living here. FES's monitoring in the region has revealed at least 36 species of odonates including Red Marsh Trotter, Black Stream Glider, Blue Ground Skimmer; Ditch Jewel; Blue Darner; Little Blue Marsh Hawk among others. These findings are soon to be published in a journal. Migratory bird species recorded here include: Greenish Warbler; Garganey; Citrine Wagtail; Siberian Stonechat; Ferruginous Duck; White Wagtail; Western Yellow Wagtail; Green Avadavat; Red-breasted Flycatcher; Bluethroat; Common Pochard; Green-winged Teal; Northern Pintail; Gadwall; Northern Shoveler. 'The idea is that people have enough to sustain themselves, there is also a rich biological habitat that these common lands provide,' explained Paliwal. In the same Gogunda hills which border the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, community forest rights have been recognised in 48 villages. In Kundalawas where women are leading the task of protecting and managing forests, they are awaiting CFR rights to be recognised. They also run a seed bank where several varieties of endemic grass seeds are stored. Here also, the focus is on rationing and efficient utilisation of forest resources. Kundlawas's forests mainly have teak trees. 'We have been waiting for 20 years for official recognition of our rights. But the process was complicated and hence took time. When it comes to forests and 100 day work, our women are leading. Everyone is working,' said Davri Bai (50). Though the notion is that men are decision makers, women are having their say now in gram sabha's matters. The biggest decision that women here have taken is that people will take only as much as they need. Earlier there was a lot of unnecessary tree felling because people took more than they needed and sold off timber, said Davri Bai. 'I helped with the paperwork to file for CFR. It was important and it has given us authority to ration resources, take care of forests,' said Rekha Bai (26) who has studied till class 10. Custard apple and a variety of grasses provide livelihood to most women here. They also rear livestock but rearing camels has seen a sharp decline in recent years. 'There was a camel in every home before. Now there are barely 8 camels in the entire village. There is no value in keeping camels anymore,' said Rekha Bai. Hardly any camels are visible in the hinterlands surrounding Udaipur. Villagers said the Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Act which restricts the transport, illegal possession and slaughtering of camels may have led to many abandoning camel rearing. But people here continue to rear goats, sheep, cows and buffaloes. HT reported on April 26 that Income Tax department boards have come up in Faridabad's Mangar village stating that 430 acres of land at village Mangar has been attached by Benami Prohibition Unit, Chandigarh of Income Tax Department. Mangar spread over 4262 acres (of which 3810 acres is hill area) is among the most biodiversity rich areas of the Aravallis in the National Capital Region (NCR). Within Mangar village, Mangar Bani (677.12 acres) is NCR's most sacred grove, and possibly the only patch of primary forest in the region. It is also mostly common land which had been privatised over the years. HT reported on October 3, 2023 that the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 will benefit real estate companies that own land in what was to be declared 'deemed forest' in Haryana's Aravallis. One of the contentious provisions of the new law is that it exempts unrecorded deemed forests from the modified law on forest conservation and hence leaves areas such as Mangar Bani vulnerable. Jayashree Nandi is a recipient of Promise of Commons Media Fellowship, on the significance of Commons and its community stewardship.
