AND HERE IS THE NEWS…
….a quick glance at the latest local news with Caroline Manson
And here is the news – a light look at the latest local news
Child injured in ski accident in Les Angles
A 10 year old boy had to be transported by helicopter to Montpellier hospital after an accident at Les Angles ski resort. He was descending a blue run when for some unknown reason he hit a wooden barrier that was near the slope. After being treated on scene by the ski station’s doctor he was transported by helicopter to Perpignan hospital, then transferred to the neurosurgery department in Montpellier. He is said to be suffering from a serious head injury. This is the second skiing accident in the P-O this week – on Sunday a 51 year old Spanish skier died after sliding off a black slope in Font Romeu.
Banned mayor appears by hologram
Having been indicted last year with accusations of corruption, favouritism and taking bribes, Alain Ferrand, the Mayor of Le Barcarès is currently banned from setting foot in the department. He managed to make an appearance at the traditional ‘Fête de Voeux de la Mairie’ ceremony – by using a life-sized hologram. As well as detailing all the community projects for the coming year the ‘hologram mayor’ also took the opportunity to defend himself against all the accusations against him and affirmed that he intended to continue in his role. It remains to be seen what the justice system will say about this plan.
Restaurant for lease – just 500€ per month
The municipality of Molitg-les-Bains is trying to breathe new life into the community and they are doing their very best to find someone to take over an abandoned restaurant. There is already a bar restaurant but this is only open during the ‘cure’ season (ie. March to October). They are offering to pay the 100,000€ renovation costs and offer it at the reduced rental of just 500€ to anybody who is prepared to stay open all year round. Currently about 20 applications have been submitted to the Mairie and they are hoping that the restaurant can be opened by the spring.
Dozens of cats rescued from a refuge
Despite their best intentions, a couple who devoted their life to rescuing abandoned cats found themselves being accused of neglecting and ill-treating their charges. The authorities said that although the cats had food and water there was urine and excrement everywhere and described it as a ‘house of horror’. At least 40 cats were taken to the refuge Un Gite Une Gamelle in Pollestres and about 60 cats remain to be taken care of.
Murder investigation opened after body found in Alénya
Early on Friday morning a newspaper delivery man made the grisly discovery of a body lying on the Rue des Vendanges at the entrance to Alénya. Despite the rapid intervention of the rescue services, all attempts at resuscitation proved futile. According to the gendarmes the body showed several traces of gun injuries. The 36 year old victim had his identity documents with him and it is said that he was “very unfavourably known to the justice” system. An autopsy is being carried out this week and the criminal investigation team are treating the case as murder.
Perpignan Tourist Office on the move again
Seven years after moving into the iconic Le Loge building (pictured above), the Perpignan Tourist Office is on the move again, back to where it started in the Palmarium on Place Arago. The Deputy Mayor explained that while Le Loge is an emblematic building, it dates from the 14th century and is classified, which leads to constraints for future building work as they are proposing to open a shop. He also says that the change of building will save money for the city (who own the Le Loge building) as the building is not very waterproof and the cost of energy and maintaining the property is high. He has not yet announced what will become of Le Loge but is hoping that the Tourist Office can be moved before the summer season.
And finally…
If you have always dreamed of decorating your garden or living room with a real ski cabin (and who hasn’t?) then here is your chance. On 8th February, the Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000 resort is auctioning off its old cabins, dating from 1975. Each cabin measures 2.20metres X 1.50metres and weighs about 200 kilo and the price is set at 500€. All proceeds are going to the Ruban Rose breast cancer association.