Tag Archives: oceania

Authorities say escaped homicide suspect may be getting desperate

A homicide suspect who used bed sheets to escape from jail last week continues to evade capture, but authorities said they believe he may be growing “desperate” as he tries to live with little support while apparently camping in the rough terrain of northwestern Pennsylvania woodlands.

Lt. Col. George Bivens, the deputy commissioner of Operations for the Pennsylvania State Police, reiterated during a news conference that authorities believe Michael Burham, 34, remains in the area.

Bivens showed a brief video, apparently taken by a home security camera, that showed a man walking on a residential street. Bivens said authorities believe the man was Burham but declined to provide specific details about the video, or say when or where it was taken.

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Authorities have said they believe someone is or may have been helping Burham evade capture, citing the discovery of “small stockpiles or campsites” in wooded areas in the general vicinity and that it was believed at least some of those might be associated with Burham. Bivens said the stockpiles consisted of “supplies that would assist him with a prolonged stay in a wooded area.”

Bivens has said Burham taught himself survival skills and had military reserve training, but he said Friday the inmate is likely facing many difficulties as he tries to remain free.

“He's trying to live out there with very little support, and that’s hard to do for a long time,” Bivens said. “He needs to surrender. He needs to bring this to an end.”

Burham fled the Warren County jail in northwestern Pennsylvania in the late evening hours of July 6 by climbing on exercise equipment, going through a window and scaling down a rope fashioned from jail bedding, authorities have said. He was being held on US$1 million bail and was charged with kidnapping, burglary and other counts.

Michael Charles Burham escaped from a jail in northern Pennsylvania on July 7.

READ MORE: Drone may have been flying near jail before suspect's escape

District Attorney Jason Schmidt, of Chautauqua County, New York, said in June that Burham was the prime suspect in the May 11 killing of Kala Hodgkin, 34, and a related arson in Jamestown, New York. Authorities also accused him of abducting an older couple in Pennsylvania while trying to evade capture before his arrest in South Carolina. Warren city police said Burham was considered “very dangerous.”

Officials in those states agreed to let Pennsylvania handle the initial prosecution, giving New York authorities more time to investigate the murder and arson cases.

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Major funding boost for Singleton community after wedding bus crash

The Singleton community, still deeply mourning the loss of the 10 killed in last month's Greta bus crash, will be awarded an almost $2 million cash injection to erect a permanent memorial and expand the local footy clubhouse.

The $1.7 million funding boost from the NSW government aims to "enhance community and social recovery efforts" following the loss of several members of the Singleton Roosters club during the tragedy on the June long weekend.

Announcing the move, NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was "appropriate that a commemoration is built" to mark the loss of lives and "their legacy in the community". 

READ MORE: Friends, family farewell Hunter Valley bus crash victim

A horrific bus crash in the Hunter Valley killed at least 10 and left some 25 people injured on Sunday night

"The tragedy in Greta was felt right across NSW," he said.

"This investment recognises the emotional toll of the recent bus tragedy, providing a space for healing and unity within the Singleton community."

"This clubhouse expansion will be of great benefit for the Singleton Roosters AFC and the wider community, empowering them to grow, host events, competitions, and gatherings that will enrich the social fabric of the region and help the local community heal."

READ MORE: Funeral held for Hunter Valley bus crash victim Zach Bray

The club renovation, which had been in the works for some time, will be a boost to the Singleton AFC clubhouse and precinct, ensuring the club's sustainability and inclusivity.

Among the planned upgrades include: new change rooms with shower facilities, storage spaces, umpire areas, a scorers' box, first-aid room, toilets (female, male and accessible) and internal renovations of the existing building to upgrade the kiosk, kitchen and meeting room.

The AFL and Singleton Council will jointly fund the project alongside the NSW Government.

Singleton Mayor Sue Moore said the community are "extremely grateful" to be given a permanent landmark to mourn the lives lost in the tragedy.

"We're extremely grateful to the state government for their ongoing support of the Singleton community," she said.

READ MORE: Bus driver charged with dangerous driving occasioning death after 10 killed in horror Hunter Valley wedding bus crash

"This project will expand and enhance an important community facility that goes to the heart of local sport in Singleton.

"Our community has experienced unfathomable heartache and sadness over the last month since the bus crash tragedy, and with most of the victims having played for the Singleton Roosters Club, I can't think of a more fitting tribute." 

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Shortage of many popular beers blamed on forklift maintenance

It's not quite a pub with no beer, but for drinkers of many of Australia's most popular beverages, it's close to it.

A delay caused by forklift maintenance means kegs from Carlton and United Breweries may not be in pubs across Victoria this weekend.

In a statement to 9News, Carlton United sincerely apologised to customers and consumers.

Carlton and United brews some of Australia's most popular beers.

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"We are experiencing some delays in getting kegs to our hotel customers ahead of this weekend," the statement read.

"Pack beer is not impacted and is widely available.

"We expect to be able to fulfill outstanding keg orders by early next week."

About 300 pubs have been affected, which is about one out of every ten in the state.

Keg deliveries have been made to the MCG, Marvel Stadium and GMHBA Stadiums ahead of this weekend's AFL games.

READ MORE: VB issues 'England Bitter' beer amid Ashes furore

Forklift maintenance is behind a delay in beer supply at Australian pubs.

Carlton and United Breweries is based in Melbourne but owned by the Japanese conglomerate Asahi.

Carlton and United makes many of Australia's most popular beers, including Victoria Bitter, Carlton, Cascade, Foster's and Pure Blonde.

It also brews 4 Pines, Great Northern, Lazy Yak and Resch's.

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Man behind viral dress charged with attempted murder of wife

A Scottish man who rose to fame after the dress his mother-in-law wore to a wedding sent the internet into total meltdown has been charged with the attempted murder of his long-term wife.

Readers may remember the striped dress, which can either be seen in blue and black or white and gold depending on an individual's perspective, which went viral in 2015.

The divisive frock drew huge media attention all over the world at the time, even prompting some of Hollywood's biggest stars like Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Taylor Swift to weigh in on the saga.

READ MORE: Photo finally solves the black and blue/white and gold dress debate

The massive interest in the dress resulted in Keir Johnston, 38, his wife Grace, and mother-in-law even appearing on The Ellen Show show.

Now, years later, it's emerged Johnson has been charged with the attempted murder of his wife.

Johnson had allegedly committed domestic violence acts against Grace over an 11-year period, that allegedly led to him ultimately trying to take her life last March by pinning her to the ground and strangling her.

Johnson has denied any and all wrongdoing, including that he repeatedly assaulted Grace at their home in Scotland.

Johnson also stands accused of allegedly trying to get into a vehicle Grace was inside and hitting her through the window, as well as another incident where he allegedly put his wife in a headlock and dragged her out of a pub.

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