National list identifies our finest companions

A High Court judge, the former head of the federal public service, a conductor and the governors of Victoria and Western Australia have received the nations top honour.

Justice Virginia Bell, Terry Moran, Richard Bonynge, Alex Chernov and Malcolm McCusker were appointed Companions of the Order of Australia yesterday in the 2012 Australia Day honours list.

They are among 439 recipients to be recognised this year for their diverse contributions and service to their fellow citizens and internationally.

Mr Bonynge, an acclaimed conductor and musical scholar, said he was practically speechless upon hearing he was in the list.

His mind turned to his late wife, Dame Joan Sutherland,...

State police conduct motor coach inspections

York, PA –
Pennsylvania State Police recently conducted a five-day enforcement effort to inspect motor coaches, according to a news release.

Between Dec. 17 and 23, state and municipal motor carrier enforcement personnel inspected 218 motor coaches at popular travel destinations such as casinos and amusement parks around Pennsylvania.

Statewide, 21 motor coaches and five drivers were taken out of service due to various safety violations, the release states.

In Troop H, which includes York and Adams counties among others, state police conducted 37 inspections. Three vehicles and drivers were taken out of service. Eight citations were issued and 20 warnings were given,...

Pleasure Beach boss Amanda lands New Year honour

The boss of Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been named in the New Years honours list.

Amanda Thompson, Managing Director of Pleasure Beach Blackpool is to be awarded the OBE for her services to tourism.

Keeping up a long family tradition, Amanda has followed in the footsteps of her father
who was also awarded the same honour.

The great-granddaughter of Pleasure Beach founder, William George Bean, Amanda became Managing Director of the family company in 2004 having previously served as Deputy Managing Director since 2000 and as a Director of the company.

As MD, Amanda has become one of the few gifted females to hold the title in the amusement park industry and in fact...

With a Little Help, East London Embraces Tech Industry

Once a rundown area dominated by derelict warehouses and manufacturing sites, East London has emerged as a miniversion of Silicon Valley, attracting hundreds of technology and new media start-ups.

Rundown greasy spoons have been replaced by hipster coffeehouses that serve $6 macchiatos to trendy customers in their 20s. Local pubs like The Queen of Hoxton and Commercial Tavern now stock high-end European microbrews. Amid the revitalization, the price of office space has jumped as much as 50 percent at some buildings.

“All the start-ups out here are forming our own little community,” said Paul Brine, chief marketing officer for the Web site FarFetch, which provides...

Recreation Dept. ski, snowboard trip

The Sheboygan Area School District Community Recreation Department is offering a ski and snowboarding trip to Cascade Mountain, Wisconsin Dells, on Friday, Jan. 20 (a non-school day).

Cost is $40 for residents of the school district or $43 for residents of Cleveland, Centerville, Mosel and non-district residents.

Participants may use their own equipment or equipment available through Cascade Mountain. Lockers will be available at the facility for a small fee.

A bus will leave the Recreation Department, 607 S. Water St., at 7:15 am and return at approximately 8:15. There will be adult chaperones on the bus and available at the ski hill for instruction assistance and emergencies.

Food...

Nolan: Anglers must contend with thin ice

Despite wintry weather conditions Friday, Dec. 30 in southern
Wisconsin, state officials are suggesting ice anglers be wary of
going out on the ice.

If at all.

Todd Schaller, a Department of Natural Resources official who
specializes in recreation enforcement and education in the Bureau
of Law Enforcement, acknowledged thin ice saying, were not having
what most call a normal winter and ice conditions vary from open
water in southern Wisconsin to six-plus (inches) on some northern
Wisconsin lakes.

Im aware of three tragic deaths this winter due to ice
conditions, which serves as a reminder for those who are looking to
venture onto the ice;...

Shifting landscape creates new Green Bay vision

It was a year that set the stage for transformational change in Green Bay, particularly in the heart of downtown.

In the past 12 months, the citys central business district has bid farewell to Port Plaza Towers residents, the Brown County Sheriffs Department offices and, soon, the old Washington Commons shopping mall.

The community also welcomed the start of a new veterans health clinic, a green energy trash-recycling concept and a downtown corporate headquarters development planned by Schreiber Foods Inc.

Voters re-elected Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt to his third term in 2011, amid leadership changes elsewhere, including Brown County government, the Green Bay School District...

NO City Council to consider court funding change

Katie Moore / Eyewitness News

NEW ORLEANS — After a scathing report from the New Orleans inspector general criticized bloated staffs, too many judges and unchecked spending by the traffic, city and municipal courts, a New Orleans City Council committee took its first steps toward making some sweeping changes in how the courts get their funding Monday.

In November, Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux recommended the consolidation of the municipal and traffic courts and raised concerns about how all three were staffed and funded.

When we look at the work loads of the New Orleans courts and Baton Rouge, the bottom line is that New Orleans work points suggest that we need...

TOURISM: Hospitality industry poised to roar into 2012

JAMIE SCOTT LYTLE
jlytle@nctimes.com

Visitors to Legoland on Thursday check out the amusement parks
New York City made out to legos. JAMIE SCOTT LYTLE |
jlytle@nctimes.com

New Miracle Strip Amusement Park Expanding at Pier Park

It has been seven years since the original Miracle Strip amusement park closed its doors for good, but for the last three years locals and visitors alike have been able enjoy a smaller version, with several of the original rides. Now theyll be able to enjoy a few more.

Next spring, Miracle Strip at Pier Park will feature a total of seven rides and several attractions, including more of the originals from the old amusement park that first opened in 1963.