Latest news with #TrinaJones
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
3-Year-Old Boy Dies After He's Struck by Starting Gate at Horse Racing Track: Reports
A three-year-old boy died in a "tragic accident" at Connell Park Raceway in Woodstock, Canada, on Saturday, June 14 He was fatally struck by a starting gate during the first harness race event of the season at the track, according to local news outlets "We must ensure that due diligence is done to protect the public and prevent future accidents,' said Trina Jones, Mayor for the Town of WoodstockA three-year-old boy has died in Canada after reportedly being struck by a starting gate during a horse racing event. At around 1:25 p.m. local time on Saturday, June 14, first responders arrived at Connell Park Raceway in Woodstock, New Brunswick, having received a report of an injured child. The three-year-old boy was rushed to the Upper River Valley Hospital in nearby Waterville, after it was confirmed that he had been struck by a starting gate as it was being towed to the venue's grandstand by a pickup truck, CBC News and CTV News reported. A starting gate is typically used in harness racing to guide the horses to an even running start and is then towed off the track, according to the outlets. 'It does appear, based on the initial information from some people that we've got, that it is a tragic accident," Deputy Chief Simon Watts of the Woodstock Police Force said in a news conference, per CBC News. "We know nowadays, everyone's got a cellphone camera, so if we can obviously get clarification on where the incident actually took place and the details of it, and there's a few questions with regard to closeness of the gate,' he added, according to the outlet. Watts said on Monday that police had finished their investigation and had turned the incident over to the Town of Woodstock, which owns the raceway. In a safety review of Connell Park Raceway released on Tuesday, the Town of Woodstock shared its 'condolences to all those affected' by the 'unimaginable loss.' They announced that they would be doing a comprehensive review ahead of future events, adding that the organizers of scheduled events would also be contacted 'out of an abundance of caution.' 'We understand the immense effort, time, and resources that go into organizing community events,' said Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones, per the safety review. 'We are committed to working with our event partners to support them through this process. At the same time, we must ensure that due diligence is done to protect the public and prevent future accidents.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. A RibFest event scheduled for this weekend is going ahead, while the horse race on June 28 is unconfirmed, CTV News reported. Connell Park Raceway was scheduled to host 11 harness racing days for the season, and the fatal incident occurred during their first, per the outlet. Watts said New Brunswick Coroner's Services and the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission will also be conducting investigations, according to CBC News. He did not comment on whether anyone would face charges for the boy's death. Connell Park Raceway shared their 'heartfelt condolences' on Facebook alongside details of a fundraiser set up to support the boy's family. In a follow-up post, they wrote, 'As many of you know, there was a tragic accident last night at our racetrack. The Woodstock Driving Club is now accepting donations to help support the family with the unexpected expenses during this incredibly difficult time.' They shared an email address to send donations and encouraged people to share the post, adding, 'If you're able to donate, it would be deeply appreciated. If not, simply sharing this post to help spread the word means just as much.' Dr. Mitchell Downey, President of Horse Racing New Brunswick, said, per Standardbred Canada, "The entire racing community is deeply saddened by the tragic events of June 14. On behalf of all our participants, we wish to express our deepest sympathies. We also ask everyone to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.' Woodstock Police, New Brunswick Coroner's Services, and the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Friday, June 20. Read the original article on People
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Woodstock to conduct safety review of Connell Park Raceway
Connell Park Raceway will be the focus of a safety review by the Town of Woodstock after a three-year-old died on the opening day of harness races on June 14. The toddler died when he was struck by the starting gate attached to the pacing truck. In a news release dated Tuesday, June 16, the town said a comprehensive safety review of Connell Park Raceway would begin to 'ensure that all future events at the venue provide a safe environment for both participants and spectators.' Town administrators will meet with the facility's user groups as they conduct their review. 'Out of an abundance of caution, the Town will be reaching out to all groups with scheduled events at Connell Park Raceway to review plans and determin whether those events can proceed prior to the completion of the safety review. This includes upcoming harness racing events, and any other large-scale gatherings scheduled to take place at the facility.' Some larger events scheduled for Connell Park Raceway include the upcoming Ribfest on June 20, 21, and 22, which raises money for local cancer support groups, harness racing on June 28, and the Woodstock Truck and Tractor Pull, scheduled for July 11 and 12. 'We recognize the significant time, effort, and dedication that go into organizing community events,' said Trina Jones, Mayor of Woodstock. 'We are committed to working collaboratively with our event partners to support them through this process. At the same time, we must prioritize public safety and take every necessary step to prevent future accidents.' The news release said the review may result in 'scheduling adjustments.' The Woodstock Police Force, which closed the track late Saturday while it conducted its investigation, has since 'released' the track back to the town. To support people during this difficult time, town administration has organized a community support session on Wednesday, June 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Rotary Room in Studio 2 of the lower level of the AYR Motor Centre. The session is open to everyone. Mental health professionals and support workers will be on-site, offering one-on-one or group conversations, resource information, and guidance on where to access further support. The town announced this would be an 'evening to connect and heal in a safe space.' If you need support sooner, we offer a reminder of the support options available: Mental Health Support Phone Numbers: Woodstock Office – 1-506-325-4419 Perth Office – 1-506-273-4701 Child and Youth Office – 1-506-325-4475 Members of the driving club are collecting donations in support of the family to help with ongoing expenses. Those wishing to donate can send e-transfers to woodstockdrivingclub@ . They ask that those making donations include the word 'Gunnar' in the subject line. 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 .
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Border mayors say they're on the front line of the tariff war and need government help
Border mayors from across Canada say they're on the front line of the tariff war with the United States and are disproportionately suffering as a result. Border communities "are at a breaking point," said Barbara Barrett, executive director of Frontier Duty Free Association, who moderated a virtual meeting of border mayors on Friday. "We are calling on the federal government to step up now with targeted financial support and a plan that recognizes the unique vulnerabilities of border-dependent communities and the businesses that keep them alive." And if help doesn't come soon, some businesses will close permanently, said Trina Jones, mayor of Woodstock, N.B. "We know as border mayors for our communities, there already are businesses that are being impacted by the uncertainty," she said. She said it feels "very reminiscent of the pandemic." Jones said she'd like to see the same sort of government support extended now — and quickly. She said her community is already feeling the effects of reduced said residents feel "like they're in a holding pattern." Mayors from border communities across the country expressed similar concerns. Together, they're calling on federal and provincial governments to help them through a challenging time. The Border Mayors Alliance, which was formed in 2024, say they're being "disproportionately impacted" by tariffs and reduced cross-border travel. "Border communities and businesses that rely on cross-border travel are facing a new economic crisis. Still recovering from the impact of pandemic-era border closures, border community businesses are now grappling with additional economic pressures that threaten their survival," the group said. St. Stephen, N.B., Mayor Allan MacEachern said some border communities like his still haven't recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. "We need to know that our government's got our backs," he said. MacEachern said border towns "rely on the movement of people and product. And when people and product don't cross our borders, it's a huge impact on our communities." St. Stephen Mayor Allan MacEachern said he hasn't heard of any open hostility between residents of his commuity and their American neighbours, but the fear exists that things may heat up. (Allyson McCormack/CBC) He said reduced traffic during the pandemic was "life-changing." "And I don't want to see us go there." MacEachern said border communities aren't just on the financial front lines, they're often face-to-face with their American neighbours. He said it's easier for those who live further away from the border "not to participate, but for us, it's tough. It's tough and I don't want to spoil our relationships once again." MacEachern said he hasn't seen any open hostility yet, but there's fear that it could happen. Jones agreed. "There's lots of fear, but there's really no hostility from what we can see," she said. Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones said her community is already feeling the effects of the tariff war with the United States. (Jacques Poitras/CBC) "We've been friendly neighbours for a long, long time and we don't see that changing." The group of mayors is asking government to act quickly to come up with an aid package for communities affected by tariffs. As for whether border communities deserve a bigger piece of that pie, Jones said "it's tricky." She said New Brunswick is particularly susceptible to the tariff war, "and maybe some of us need a little more help than others. And, the rest of the provinces might have to be kind." MacEachern said it shouldn't be forgotten that New Brunswick border communities are the "gateway to the Atlantic provinces" and all land-based traffic funnels through them. "So we got a lot of weight on our shoulders there. So it's just not New Brunswick that we're thinking of." MacEachern said 26,000 fewer people crossed the New Brunswick-Maine border last month. "That's a huge impact to us," he said.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Major change for Aussie landlords could see renters avoid paying quarterly bill
Some Aussie tenants living in houses with outdated bathrooms will soon be able to dispute their water bill if toilets aren't upgraded to meet new standards. From March 23, landlords in NSW will need to ensure they're providing a dual-flush button with a minimum three-star water efficiency rating on all toilets. 'Improving water efficiency in rental properties is an important step towards improving the quality of rental homes in NSW and ensuring we have secure, reliable water sources for the future,' the state's rental commissioner Trina Jones said on Thursday. Under rental guidelines in NSW, landlords can only bill for water usage if the property is separately metered, so most tenants in apartments don't need to pay. But those living in houses often do, and it's then that specific water requirements must be met. Under existing regulations, the water requirements are: All taps should be leak-free at the start of a tenancy and after upgrades and repairs. A maximum flow rate of nine litres per minute needs to be ensured on shower heads, internal cold water taps, kitchen and bathroom taps. Adding the dual-flush requirement will bring NSW in line with Queensland. And while this seems like a small measure, older toilets can use up to 11 litres per flush, compared to three litres in a modern half flush and six litres for a full flush. It's estimated a family of four could save up to 35,000 litres of water a year if they use a dual flush system. 🍺 Toohey's plan to reduce water use ♻️ Residents 'throw away' $100 million in recycling incentives 😳 Rare species to be served up to Aussie diners as certified 'sustainable' meal For years, Australians have periodically had to comply with water restrictions. But with climate change making weather extremes more severe and frequent, residents in some areas could expect them more often. In most Australian homes, bathrooms account for around 40 per cent of water usage, so ensuring they're modernised is seen as an easy win for the environment and the hip pocket. Any NSW tenant who believes they're being unfairly charged for water is urged to contact Fair Trading. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
