AND HERE IS THE NEWS…

….a light look at the latest local news with Caroline Manson

Forest fire still burning at Thués-entre-Valls 

Despite the storm and the lower night temperatures (10° in the mountains) the fire is still not yet contained and has destroyed around fifty acres of forests.  The main problem for the firefighters is that the site is so inaccessible, in a steep environment with no access road.  The men are deposed by helicopter.  We are reminded that we are still on alert for ‘Exceptional Fire Risk’ in the entire department, meaning nobody should be walking or driving in the woods and hills, no use of fires or barbecues anywhere, no working with any machinery likely to cause sparks, and obviously no bonfires or fireworks.

Perpignan man wins one million euros on lottery

Whilst waiting in a queue to pay for a bag of potatoes a man decided to pass the time by checking his lottery ticket.  He was a regular player so was not too surprised to see that he had not won that day’s prize fund of 60 million euros, but was absolutely delighted to see that his ‘lucky code’ had won the sum of one million euros.  In fact he was so delighted that he burst into tears and kissed the bag of potatoes that he was holding.  He and his wife are now going to buy their first house, share some money with their children and grand-children, and perhaps go on a Mediterranean cruise.  Since the launch of My Millions 13 players have won one million euros in the region, three of the tickets having been bought near Place Cassanyes in Perpignan.

New study launched into payment scheme for AP7 motorway.

In the years since the toll booths were removed traffic on the AP7 motorway has seen an increase in use by light vehicles of 37% and for heavy goods vehicles the increase in certain sections is 55%.  The condition of the motorway has deteriorated rapidly and it is particularly clear to see when one leaves the smooth conditions of the A9 (funded by tolls) and enters Spain where it becomes the AP7 that the road is full of cracks and pot-holes – particularly in the right-hand lane where the HGV traffic is highest.  The study will consider various options including a pre-paid vignette system or a pay-as-you-go system, or even the return of the toll booths (which is the least favoured option).

Prisoner fakes hanging to assault a guard

A prisoner in the women’s section of Perpignan Prison was known for her violence and threats to prison officers and had already amassed a record of 21 incidents reported by officers, including making death threats, but last Thursday was the final straw.  She pretended to have hung herself in her cell and when the guards arrived they had no option but to instigate the ‘White Code’ which involves firstly approaching the victim and attempting to cut the rope around the neck; at which point it became evident that this was an ‘ambush’ as the inmate violently assaulted the guard, scratching and grabbing her by the throat while trying to bite her.  Prison management have demanded that the inmate is transferred to another prison.

Part of Canet beach fenced off, to protect Turtle

Sun-bathers on one of the beaches at Canet were amazed to watch a Caouanne Turtle arrive to lay its eggs in the sand.  Luckily they had the good sense to alert the Municipal Police who were able to arrange for the area to be fenced off and protected, not least before the regular beach cleaning team arrived.  The incubation of the eggs, buried at about 50cm deep, lasts between 45 and 65 days.  The Caouanne Turtle is a protected species and this is the 8th nest of the season in the French Mediterranean coast, and the 2nd one in the Pyrénées-Orientales.

Fire Watchtower vandalised

There are several watchtowers at strategic points around the P-O and one of the best placed is that of Forca Réal from where firefighters have a great view of a large part of the department.  On the morning of Monday July 20th a member of the SDIS who arrived to take up her position for the day was shocked to discover that the door was open and that the interior had been ransacked.  Nothing had been stolen but the tower was very damaged and fire extinguishers had been activated so there was white powder everywhere.  Fortunately the two very expensive cameras (which use AI to distinguish between quarry dust and fire smoke, for example) were not damaged but it is a bitter blow for the fire department who have enough to deal with at the moment.

Pyromaniac sentenced to prison

On Monday a 36 year old man was sentenced to prison having admitted to starting a fire in Saint-Estéve on July 17th.  The man admitted to having lit the fire using a bag full of rubbish, an aerosol and a lighter.  The fire had very quickly covered 100m2 and was extinguished with the aid of firefighters on the ground and two water bomber helicopters.  The man was identified as having autism spectrum disorder and an addiction to alcohol – but he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with 12 months being suspended for two years.