Latest news with #MacDonald
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Law quirk sees Barrhead man set 'absolute discharge' challenge after knuckle duster discovery
Kieran MacDonald's lawyer A young Barrhead man has been warned to be of good behaviour after cops found a knuckle duster in his home when they were looking for a missing person. Officers turned up at Kieran MacDonald's Graham Street address in September last year looking for a person who had been reported missing. Instead of locating the individual, cops found a knuckle duster on the 21-year-old's kitchen worktop. The procurator fiscal depute told Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday: 'Around 2.30am on September 3 last year, police constables Bradford and McCluskey attended the accused's home address looking for a missing person. 'MacDonald let officers into the property and, while police were standing in the kitchen area, they observed a knuckle duster on the worktop. 'The accused was placed under arrest, handcuffs were applied and he was taken to the police station where he made no reply to caution and charge.' Defence agent Terry Gallanagh asked the court to consider deferring sentence for MacDonald to be of good behaviour with the view of granting an absolute discharge if he stuck to his part of the bargain. Mr Gallanagh explained an amendment made to the Criminal Justice Act legislation in 1988 meant that, previously, MacDonald wouldn't have been committing an offence. He said: 'In all my 30 years of practice, I've never come across this section of legislation. The amendment means that, prior to this, this wouldn't have been an offence. He has no previous convictions and nothing outstanding.' Mr Gallanagh explained MacDonald – who attended court with his grandmother – wasn't 'a violent person' and that he 'never used nor intends to use' the knuckle duster. He added: 'He tells me he had the knuckle duster for a considerable period of time and there's no real explanation as to why it got there. He intends to go to college and has aspirations to do electrical or mechanical engineering. 'Mr MacDonald fears a conviction would stop him in those tracks and so I ask the court to stop short of a conviction and defer sentence and consider an absolute discharge.' Sheriff Kevin Duffy stated: 'You've pleaded guilty to this matter which, on the face of it, is a serious matter. 'It wouldn't have been an offence previously and that's why your solicitor has cared to point this out, but there has been an amendment to the section, and it is now. 'Given the absence of any previous record, I am persuaded I can put you to the test. 'Without proceeding to conviction, I will defer sentence for good behaviour for six months and if you have been, the court will consider an absolute discharge in this matter. But that is up to you to prove you can be of good behaviour.' Sentence was deferred for MacDonald to be of good behaviour until December 18.
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Juno Beach flag to fly at township hall
Tish MacDonald, who has long been an advocate of Uxbridge's veterans, appeared before council on Monday with a Canadian flag that had flown above the memorial to Canadian forces at Juno Beach, site of the Normandy landings in the Second World War. MacDonald proposed to council that the flag be raised outside the township offices on June 6 and that it be flown for a month. Councillor Willie Popp suggested the flag be flown until Canada Day, while councillor Todd Snooks said there should also be a ceremony when the flag is taken down. There was also a suggestion that this particular flag be flown at the cenotaph on Remembrance Day. MacDonald received the flag after she and a contingent of Uxbridge residents visited the Juno Beach Centre, where she, on behalf of the Uxbridge Honour Our Veterans Banner Program, made a donation to the centre. MacDonald was the driving force behind the banner program which honours local veterans with banners spread throughout the township every year before Remembrance Day. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Perth Now
11-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Big Don's boss officially launches election campaign
The Big Don's Smoked Meats boss has officially launched his election campaign for local government in the upcoming October elections. Big Don's boss Donovan MacDonald has launched bayswaterdon, an Instagram page dedicated to his campaign for the election. He said his decision to run for council came after years of ongoing issues with the City of Bayswater while owning his successful smoked meat business. Your local paper, whenever you want it. 'I did a lot of yelling the last few days, now it's time to actually walk the talk,' he said on Instagram. His post was flooded with words of encouragement and support. 'Mate you've got a hell of a lot of support,' one commentator said. 'Having you as a voice for the Bayswater area would be refreshing.' Donovan MacDonald is running for a West ward position on Bayswater council. Credit: Instagram: Bayswaterdon 'Let us know if you need volunteers for the campaign trial — we are in!' said another. 'Considering moving to Bayswater just to vote,' added another. Last week, Mr MacDonald shared on the Big Don's Smoked Meats social media page his frustrations with what he called the city's lack of support and asked followers for suggestions for a new home for his business, which has since been deleted. The post went viral, triggering a follow-up post explaining the situation in more depth and telling followers that he planned on running for Bayswater council's vacant West ward position in October. Mr MacDonald told PerthNow he wanted to represent small businesses in local government and to help avoid 'over-governing'. 'It felt to me like I may as well do it — at least be a small business voice within the council itself. It seems like it should be more community minded,' he said. When asked about Mr MacDonald's running for election the City of Bayswater CEO Jeremy Edwards did not comment. Although Mr MacDonald said the city's CEO Jeremy Edwards and some councillors had been supportive, city officers were making things difficult — especially when he recently applied to make a whiskey distillery next door, saying it was a 'passion project' for him. The problem surrounded the council having an 'issue' with the installation of three portable toilets, saying that the toilets required a building permit, which Mr MacDonald could not believe. 'They were literally forklifted in. No plumbing, above ground. But that's what triggered all this,' he said at the time. Mr Edwards told PerthNow last Thursday that the sanitary facilities did require a permit and the works on the property were considered unauthorised. Mr MacDonald said in his post that the City of Bayswater were also threatening to prosecute him, Mr Edwards said the city has not commenced a prosecution in relation to the installation of the sanitary facilities. 'While working collaboratively with local businesses, the city must also ensure compliance with State legislation, covering food safety, planning and building, to protect public safety,' he said. Bayswater mayor Filomena Piffaretti said in a statement on Friday that the owner had recently approached the city for advice on the new venture next to his existing premises and is continuing to work 'collaboratively' with Mr MacDonald to to support a 'safe and compliant outcome'. 'City officers met with the business owner onsite and outlined the necessary approvals,' she said. 'The city is working proactively with the business owner to help secure the necessary approvals as efficiently as possible.' Mr MacDonald said he planned to stay in Bayswater for the next 20 years as his family was set up in the area and his business had seven more years on its lease.
Global News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Boards around Sir John A. Macdonald statue at Queen's Park removed
After five years, the boards surrounding the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald on the grounds of Queen's Park in Toronto have been removed. The hoarding was first erected after the statue of Macdonald was covered in paint during a protest in 2020. Other similar incidents were occurring across the country at the time. MacDonald's role in the creation of residential schools, where thousands of Indigenous children were forcibly placed, abused and even died, sparked protests and calls for the removal of similar statues in 2020. Meanwhile, a number of schools across the province have also been renamed over the past several years. MacDonald, who was the first prime minister of Canada, is also credited as the father of confederation. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The decision to remove the boards around the statue was made last month by the Legislative Assembly's Board of Internal Economy. Story continues below advertisement However, when asked about the move last week, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was pushing for it. 'I've been working on getting that box taken off,' he explained. 'We're getting a lot of messages, so yeah, we're freeing John A.' The premier said it is time to move past the issue. 'You have to support our first prime minister. You know, things have happened over a number of years, but we can't just box them up,' Ford said. 'We have to move on, stop worrying about the past, let's start looking at the future.' A sign has been installed beside the statue, which says the legislature is a place for debate and deliberation. 'Though we cannot change the history we have inherited, we can shape the history we wish to leave behind,' the sign continues. 'The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly is considering how the depictions of those histories in the monuments and statuary on the Assembly's grounds can respect all of our diverse cultures and peoples.' A release from the Office of the Speaker of the House said it has sent a committee across the province to meet with Indigenous representatives to look for ways to acknowledge First Nations Peoples at Queen's Park. Since the statue was boarded up, children's shoes have been left in front to denote the lives lost as a result of residential schools. Story continues below advertisement There was a similar protest in front of the legislature in 2021, which saw the shoes eventually removed before being turned into a permanent display, according to the release.
San Francisco Chronicle
11-06-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
A creek on California's most famous vineyard is the site of a contentious, yearslong fight
A four-mile creek that runs through California's most famous vineyard is at the center of a yearslong battle between a fourth-generation Napa Valley grape grower and major wine corporation Constellation Brands. After a 16-page appeal, repeated delays and even a fraud allegation, the conflict may finally get resolved this week. The farmer, Graeme MacDonald, 'grew up on and in' the creek, which babbles through land his family has owned since 1954. The property is part of the hallowed To Kalon Vineyard — made famous by California wine pioneer Robert Mondavi — and the unassuming creek is a geological star. Within its ancient bed, mineral deposits of gravel, sand and silt formed and spread, creating what's known as an alluvial fan: rocky, fertile and well-draining soil that's widely believed to be the best in the world for growing wine grapes. Known for producing some of the most complex and sought-after wines worldwide, these alluvial soils are famously found in renowned wine regions such as Burgundy and Bordeaux. In 2016, MacDonald, a hobby historian, petitioned the federal government to name the stream that flows through the vineyard To Kalon Creek. 'I really wanted to be part of making To Kalon one of the Grand Cru vineyards of the world,' MacDonald said. 'You create that kind of recognition with layers of science, history, (wine) criticism and consumer acceptance.' The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) approved the name in 2017, but in 2019, Robert Mondavi Winery's parent company Constellation — which owns the majority of the vineyard and the To Kalon trademark — appealed the decision. In several letters to the BGN, which the Chronicle reviewed, Constellation questioned MacDonald's intentions, claiming he named the creek for his own financial gain, and accused him of 'intellectual fraud' and forging a letter that suggested the company supported the name. MacDonald denies the allegations. A spokesperson for Constellation, which offloaded the lower tier of its wine portfolio in April, including the Robert Mondavi Reserve brand, declined the Chronicle's request for comment: 'As a matter of policy, we don't comment on ongoing disputes.' After roughly four years of silence on the matter, the BGN will revisit the To Kalon Creek name on Thursday. Its decision, MacDonald said, could have major implications on Napa Valley's future as a world-renowned wine region, a future that's already in flux amid widespread corporatization, increasingly strict regulations and a global downturn in wine sales. It's been a hot topic of debate for more than 20 years. The 687-acre site in western Oakville was originally christened To Kalon, a Greek word that means highest beauty or the highest good, in 1868 by wine pioneer H.W. Crabb. Crabb grew his To Kalon Wine Company to the third-largest winery in the country and brought nationwide recognition to the vineyard. Over the decades, the original To Kalon site grew in size, fragmented and changed hands several times, but nobody brought as much acclaim to it as Robert Mondavi, who first purchased a portion of the vineyard in 1966. Today, the winery owns 450 acres of To Kalon Vineyard. In 1988, Mondavi trademarked To Kalon, followed by To Kalon Vineyard in 1994. At the time, the MacDonalds didn't take issue with it. 'I don't think people realized what precedent was going to be set,' said MacDonald, 'but I also don't think people were keen to object to anything Mondavi did.' The first person to object was noted grower Andy Beckstoffer, who owns 89 acres of To Kalon. Mondavi and Beckstoffer, who argued the vineyard is a place and should not be allowed to be trademarked, traded lawsuits in 2002 and 2003; they settled out of court, and while Mondavi kept its trademarks, Beckstoffer's winery clients are allowed to put 'Beckstoffer To Kalon' on their labels. Constellation purchased Mondavi in 2004, and the company has been tied up in a seemingly endless string of legal fights over the trademarks since. 'Napa Valley is a vineyard paradise and the most famous vineyard in Napa Valley is To Kalon. So, when you're fighting to keep the integrity of To Kalon, you're fighting for the family jewels of Napa Valley,' Beckstoffer told the Chronicle. 'We need to ensure that there is integrity to (To Kalon). It has to be a place and not a marketing concept that (Constellation) can do whatever they want with it.' For years, the MacDonalds stayed out of the To Kalon controversies. The family's 15-acre plot is an island within the To Kalon vineyard that features some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Napa Valley, planted by MacDonald's great-grandparents in 1954. The family sold its grapes to Mondavi since its inception and that relationship continued for over 50 years; the fruit went into some of Mondavi's top-tier wines, often making up more than half of Mondavi's premium To Kalon bottling. MacDonald said it was his great-uncle who originally encouraged Robert Mondavi to resurrect the historic To Kalon name. 'The family always felt like they were part of this history,' he said. Over the past two decades, MacDonald has assumed the unofficial role of To Kalon historian. He presented the story of To Kalon at several Mondavi events and penned a peer-reviewed report for the Historic American Landscapes Survey, which was added to the Library of Congress. He has also applied to add To Kalon Vineyard to the National Register of Historic Places, though Constellation has contested that as well. Margrit Mondavi, the late wife of Robert Mondavi, once gifted MacDonald a cookbook she authored and inscribed a request: 'Keep the To Kalon story alive.' With his 2016 submission to BGN to name the vineyard's tributary To Kalon Creek, MacDonald hoped to set a precedent for the future of vineyard designation in America. He believes To Kalon can follow the lead of French regions like Burgundy, whose fame was built on renown for spectacular vineyard sites — not owners or wineries. MacDonald argues that To Kalon Creek would be a major step toward legally proving that To Kalon is, irrefutably, a place — and preventing Constellation from potentially diluting the site's reputation through further commercialization. MacDonald sent many letters of support to the BGN from government leaders, including Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Napa, and State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, and wine industry members. Arguably the most important letter bears the typed signature block of Mondavi general manager Glenn Workman. It uses 'we' and features logos of both Mondavi and Constellation. The BGN requires that applicants get permission from trademark holders of a word or phrase being used. 'Naming the creek for its home, To Kalon Vineyard, would allow growers, winemakers, geologists, hydrologists, historians, educators and others in our community to better describe the creek,' the Workman letter states, 'particularly as it relates to the alluvial fan, which, in great part, makes possible the fine wines for which To Kalon Vineyard is world-renowned.' In early 2017, that quote appeared on the front page of the Napa Valley Register. A few months later, BGN approved MacDonald's application. But in early 2019, MacDonald received a shocking notice from the BGN: Constellation was suddenly contesting the naming and had submitted a 16-page appeal. In its letters to BGN, Constellation called MacDonald's effort 'a campaign to weaken or usurp Constellation's To Kalon trademark rights' and suggested ill intentions, as the To Kalon Creek name 'would increase the value of his land and his grapes immensely.' MacDonald also makes a small amount of wine from his family's vineyard for the MacDonald brand he founded with his brother, Alex MacDonald, but cannot put To Kalon on the label. The company also asserted that 'for more than 30 years,' To Kalon has been 'foremost and solely a brand name.' It attempted to refute much of MacDonald's evidence — including maps, historical artifacts, newspaper clippings and legal documents — that prove the name has historical significance as a geographical place dating back 130 years. The company claimed that MacDonald's proposal was 'fraught with factual errors' and hired a cartography expert from Syracuse University as an independent consultant to review the proposal. The geography professor recommended that the BGN 'nullify its decision.' Constellation's main argument, however, is that MacDonald did not receive the company's consent to name the waterway To Kalon Creek. In multiple documents reviewed by the Chronicle, Constellation claimed that MacDonald doctored the letter from Mondavi's Workman, noting that it was not dated or signed. It was printed on joint Robert Mondavi Winery and Constellation letterhead, 'which is something Constellation does not use,' the company said. To Kalon Creek came up in a separate 2017 trademark lawsuit between wine brand Vineyard House and Constellation, during which Workman testified that he did not write or send the letter. The Chronicle was unable to reach Workman for comment. MacDonald, who has been fighting this battle without legal counsel, maintains that the evidence he presented and the letter are legitimate. He said at the time he 'didn't really understand' that getting the letter signed and dated 'was going to become important.' The Chronicle reviewed email communications between MacDonald and a BGN research employee in 2016, in which MacDonald submitted the Workman letter for review. 'I don't see anything that would justify revising it,' the BGN employee wrote. MacDonald has since submitted three more letters to the federal board from former Constellation employees denouncing the company's claim of forgery. One letter came from Anne Siegel, a public relations employee of Robert Mondavi Winery from 2008-2017, who told the Chronicle that Constellation's opposition does 'not reflect the original spirit or intention of (Mondavi Winery) when we backed this initiative.' 'The suggestion that Graeme (MacDonald) would forge or alter emails we wrote is not only completely false, it's damaging to his reputation and absolutely unacceptable,' she continued, adding that she believes 'Mr. and Mrs. Mondavi would have been thrilled to have the legacy of To Kalon carried on with the naming of the creek.' The Chronicle also reviewed records from a 2016 email chain that included MacDonald, Siegel, Workman and another former Constellation employee discussing MacDonald's proposal. Workman wrote, 'Sounds like a great idea' and 'I don't see any downside to this at all.' But in its appeal, Constellation argued that ultimately, the legitimacy of the letter doesn't matter; Workman 'did not have legal authority' to send a letter and 'give away the company's valuable trademark rights. ' Soon after Constellation expressed its opposition, MacDonald said he went to Mondavi for a meeting to discuss the creek. When he and his brother arrived, MacDonald said they were surprised to see 'like eight lawyers in suits from Constellation that flew in from New York' sitting at the table. The lawyers came armed with a bargaining chip: Constellation offered the brothers the right to use the To Kalon trademark on their wine label in exchange for their support in changing the creek's name to something else, according to MacDonald. After a long pause, MacDonald said he told the company his 'integrity is not for sale.' 'People were super upset and the meeting dissolved,' he recalled. That same year, MacDonald said the family decided not to renew its grape contract with Constellation. 'That was the end of the line. There was too much pain and suffering,' he continued. 'The corporate culture really overwhelmed the 60-year grape growing relationship.' In response to Constellation's opposition, BGN restarted the naming process, resulting in the Napa County Board of Supervisors and the California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names each being asked to revisit the issue. Neither changed its position, but the decision ultimately lies with the federal board. Now, nine years after MacDonald's original application, BGN is scheduled to re-vote on the To Kalon name on Thursday. MacDonald hopes that his effort will be worth it. 'For us, it was more important to be on the right side of history,' he said. 'Someday, my kids are going to read this story and it's going to let them know (To Kalon) is important to us and to them. We have a deep genealogical connection to the land.'
