Poachers are smashing through the Water Corporation's gates and fences to steal marron from creeks and dams that are supposed to be protected for public drinking supplies.

The State-owned utility has confirmed that it was grappling with the "issue" of marron poaching from properties it controls across the Perth Hills, South West and Great Southern.

Fishing for marron, a type of crayfish that is found in fresh inland waterways, is only allowed for a brief period between January 8 and February 5 each year.

LATEST MINISTER WEIGHS IN ON LIVE MUSIC CRISIS SEARCH FOR MISSING NSW TODDLER WIDENS BALI NINE LAWYER VAGUE ON BRIBERY CLAIMS WATER UTILITY HITS NON-PAYERS THOUSANDS MARCH FOR SLAIN RUSSIAN POLITICIAN FACEBOOK FEUD ENDS WITH US GIRL DEAD WILDCATS OUT AS TAIPANS SWEEP SEMIFINAL SERIES

Fishers are entitled to take five of the crustaceans a day - each with a minimum size of 90mm - in so-called trophy waters, while they can take eight a day of at least 80mm in size in all other open waters.

With this year's season just finished, the Water Corporation said it was investigating several incidents where people had illegally accessed protected drinking water catchments to pilfer marron.

In one instance, poachers crashed a four-wheel-drive through the gate of a Water Corporation property east of Albany after-dark to plunder dams that were full of marron, causing thousands of dollars of damage in the process.

A Water Corporation spokeswoman said the utility did not keep specific records of incidents of marron poaching and could not quantify the costs it had incurred from the activity in recent years. However, she noted that extra "catchment rangers" had been employed to patrol the Perth Hills in recent years.

The spokeswoman also pointed out marron fishing was allowed "in a number" of the utility's dams.

"Water Corporation works closely with the Department of Fisheries to control illegal fishing and marroning in drinking water dams and has initiated a number of successful prosecutions," she said.

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Marron grab too much for Water Corp

Swingin #39; For The Fences - Gordon Goodwin
This is my drum cover of Swingin #39; For The Fences by Gordon Goodwin #39;s Big Phat Band. This chart is from the Gordon Goodwin #39;s Big Phat Band Play-Along Series. ...

By: Joel Barford Drums

Excerpt from:
Swingin' For The Fences - Gordon Goodwin - Video

By U-T San Diego5 p.m.Feb. 28, 2015

The U-T story Traffic stop data show imbalance (Feb. 26) is a head-scratcher.

Is there anyone who does not know that traffic stops have as much to do with street crime and gang activity as with vehicle code violations?

Im surprised that Chief Shelley Zimmerman did not point out that population figures, versus traffic stops by race and ethnicity, show evidence of incredible sensitivity and restraint by the San Diego Police Department.

A look at crime stats will make one wonder why the percentages of traffic stops versus racial percentages could be so surprisingly close.

Joseph Wambaugh Point Loma

Data showing the relationship of some ethnic groups that were pulled over in numbers that were disproportionate to their populations makes for a good story, but I believe it does not give you a true picture.

The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy.

A more accurate analysis would be to use the demographic of those who are incarcerated relative to traffic stops in lieu of the total population.

Bill Shannon Mission Hills

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Traffic stop numbers examined; mending international fences

Knuckle Puck - Fences - at Banquet Records
Knuckle Puck - Fences - at Banquet Records.

By: banquetrecords

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Knuckle Puck - Fences - at Banquet Records - Video

By Cecily Hilleary, VOA

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (L) & King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. (UN photo, AP photo, respectively)

After years of mutual mistrust and jockeying for regional power, Saudi Arabia and Iran may be on their way to mending fences, analysts say.

Mutual concerns over the emergence of the so-called Islamic State group in the region and Irans impending nuclear deal with the West are providing stimulus for Riyadh and Tehran to head towards detente, analysts say.

If there is a deal on the nuclear issue, then this will bring Iran back as a participant in the dynamics of the international community, which will force it to become more pragmatic and more moderate, said Lina Khatib, director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. And this is in Saudi Arabias interests because the more extreme Iran becomes, the more threatening it becomes.

From friends to rivals

Saudi Arabia is a conservative Sunni Islamic kingdom, home to Islams holiest sites, Mecca and Medina. As such, it regards itself as the rightful leader of the Islamic world.

Iran is a Shiite Islamic republic, which has sought to exert religious influence over Shia populations elsewhere in the region.

Some four decades ago, both countries were relatively politically aligned and had friendly relations with the West. But things changed after the 1979 revolution in Iran and the return of exiled Ayatollah Rouhollah Mousavi Khomeini, who resented the Saudi kingdoms relationship with the West.

The Islamic Republic quickly started exporting the revolution in the Middle East, said Khatib. They were trying to get Shia populations in the region to accept the supreme leaders [Khomeinis] model of Islamic jurisprudence as the only acceptable political and religious model for [the] population.

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Iran Nuke Deal Could Help It Mend Fences With Saudi Arabia

AUSTRALIA: Special fences built around dams in arid parts of Australia could help eradicate the menace of cane toads, according to new research.

The toads, regarded as poisonous pests, are drawn to the dams by the need for water and die in large numbers if fences hold them back, scientists said.

The animals were brought to Australia in the 1930s to get rid of beetles.

They have since spread from Queensland into the Northern Territories, New South Wales and Western Australia.

Their numbers have grown because they have almost no natural predators and their toxins kill native animals that normally feed on frogs.

Various methods to eradicate the toads have been tried, including mass culls by teams of volunteers, but have only had limited success.

Now a study led by experts at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) says toad-proof fences around dams may stem their spread because most areas the toads will invade in future are semi-arid or arid.

The dams are built to provide water for livestock but are a magnet for the toads.

Researchers built small fences from shade cloth around three dams in the Victoria River region of the Northern Territory and maintained them for a year.

They found that the toads were unable to jump over them or burrow under.

Continued here:
Fences could halt cane toad menace - study

The Missoula man who allegedly led deputies on a high-speed chase Wednesday night hit several fences, poles and signs in Missoula and Lolo before crashing into a ditch outside of Lolo on U.S. Highway 12.

Shayne Spence, 46, was pepper-sprayed by Missoula County sheriff's deputies in an effort to get him out of the mangled truck he was driving. He was taken into custody about 10:30 p.m. and transported to a Missoula hospital.

The incident was the second high-speed chase to take place in Missoula County on Wednesday.

Sheriff's Capt. Bill Burt said Spence will face several felony charges related to the incident, including three counts of criminal endangerment and one count of reckless driving.

Missoula police and the Montana Highway Patrol may have other recommendations for charges related to the incident, Burt said.

Apparently, law enforcement was searching for Spence after he began contacting the person who filed an order of protection against him 10 days earlier.

About 9:35 p.m., a caller informed 9-1-1 dispatchers that a truck had crashed into their fence in the 3300 block of South Avenue West and the driver, who quickly fled, appeared to be intoxicated.

The caller reported the truck's airbags appeared to be deployed and it seemed to be impossible for the driver to see the road, the caller said.

A deputy responded and attempted to initiate a traffic stop at 9:41 p.m., but Spence allegedly continued to drive recklessly south on Reserve Street, turning onto U.S. Highway 93.

Burt said deputies were concerned that he was armed, and he exhibited suicidal and homicidal tendencies when he was served the order of protection 10 days earlier.

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Man accused of hitting fences, signs, poles then crashing on U.S. 12

Cheltenham Festival Specials Cheltenham Specials: Silviniaco Conti to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup by 5 lengths or more 8/1

Wind-Ups and Wind Ops

As wind-ups go, Paul Nicholls opening gambit at his Cheltenham Festival media day wasnt the best one ever. Breaking news. Ive actually supplemented Rocky Creek for the Cheltenham Gold Cup this morning, as the handicapper has put him up 9lb after winning on Saturday. Well run in the Gold Cup before running in the National at Aintree. Pause, a few chuckles, one or two puzzled looks. No, that is a wind-up, confirms Paul, the old tease. Still, it was too late for one eager beaver who had already tweeted the news (maybe thats why there is the odd social media embargo at these things). If Nicholls isnt very good at wind-ups, he is very good at wind ops and there were at least two horses paraded in front of the assembled press that have benefitted from a tweak in the breathing department; Vibrato Valtat and Calipto. The latter horse is an interesting one for the Vincent OBrien County Handicap Hurdle on the final day of the Festival and his position in the market (as favourite) is understandable. He was operated on after he 'made a noise' at Cheltenham in October and shaped with much promise in the Betfair Hurdle on his return at Newbury last month. That race wasnt run to suit as nothing got into it from off the pace, but he did run on well for fourth and could still be well treated off 143. Not dissimilar in profile to last years County Hurdle winner Lac Fontana, his position in the handicap, relative to his Irish-trained market rivals, will be one of the major talking points at Wednesdays weights release.

Cut To The Chase

Its nice to have all these good chasers back again, says Nicholls, with genuine affection, as he gazes at the back end of Southfield Theatre making his way back to his box. And good chasers is an understatement looking at the betting for all the top races over fences at this years Festival. The Arkle second-favourite, the Champion Chase third and fifth-favourites, the JLT second-favourite, the RSA Chase fourth-favourite and the Gold Cup favourite are all trained at Ditcheat, which means its a very short price that Nicholls has a winner over fences at Cheltenham next month. Nothing new there you might think, but you have to go back to the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup and Kauto Star for the last winner Nicholls had over fences at the Festival. Thats 72 races over fences at the Festival ago. Its taken time since that golden era of Kauto and Denman and Master Minded for Nicholls to build up his team again, and, make no mistake, chasing is Nicholls bread and butter. While Willie Mullins seems to thrive on bringing through novice hurdlers, staying chasers is what Nicholls does, as four Gold Cups testifies. It would be nice to win it for a fifth time, says Nicholls, whose bullishness over the prospects of Silviniaco Conti in the blue riband is infectious. We had a few years without any [Gold Cup chances] after Denman and Kauto but weve got a nice lot of chasers again now. And Conti is the best hes ever been. On form hes the one they all have to beat.

Natural Selection

Paul Nicholls hasnt counted exactly how many horses hell be taking to Cheltenham this year, but its going to be significantly less than usual by design. We might have around 25 or something this year where as we had 36 or so last year, he says, noting how light he is in the novice hurdling department. No runners in the Sky Bet Supreme, no runners in the Neptune, no runners in the Albert Bartlett and no runners in the Triumph. With all the ones that Willies got Im better off waiting for Aintree with mine, Nicholls says, only half-jokingly. Vago Collonges ran really well at Kempton on Saturday and hes one of my better novices but well wait for Aintree with him. All Yours will wait for Aintree too. Im a bit light on novice hurdlers and you can waste a run at Cheltenham, theres so much good prize money on offer at Liverpool now. Its pointless, weve learnt the last couple of years weve run too many at Cheltenham that didnt have chances.

Sammy the champion of the world?

The Sam Twiston-Davies-Paul Nicholls partnership has had its fair share of ups and downs already in their brief but successful time together, but their relationship seems to be getting stronger by the week. Nicholls has admitted lessons were learnt after losers that shouldve been winners earlier in the season (Vibrato Valtat and Zarkandar), yet he was full of praise for Twiston-Davies following his victory aboard Rocky Creek in the BetBright Chase at Kempton on Saturday. His ride on Rocky Creek was one of the best hes given us, hes improving all the time. He was an investment for the future and if I hadnt gone for him then hed have gone somewhere else. It was a very good move and everybodys happy. With Nicholls confirming he and Twiston-Davies are in it for the long haul, talk turned to who will replace AP McCoy as champion in the coming seasons. And Nicholls was quick to state the case for his stable jockey. Hes got to be up there in the running. Him and Scu [Tom Scudamore] are ten winners behind Richard Johnson at the moment so that says it all and with Aidan Coleman as well there are some good jockeys out there, it will be interesting. It wont be quite the same without AP but things move on. Sams done amazingly well, hes won more prize money than any other jockey this season and Saturday he reached 2million in prize money - really quickly from 90 winners, which says how well hes been doing. Ive always thought he will be a champion jockey one day and I havent wavered from that at all. Im going to help him, his dads going to help him but hes probably going to need some help from elsewhere too. Its all about the numbers. Prize money wise hes there, but if he could just get a few more outside rides hell ride more winners and more outside rides are going to be there for the taking now.

Le Cheval Noir

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Paul Nicholls: Ben Linfoot's view

analysis

Good fences make good neighbours, they say. But does this aphorism really apply to international relations? As Kenya contemplates walling off its troublesome border with Somalia, we look at the history of separation barriers and how effective they really are. By SIMON ALLISON.

Kenya is going to build a wall. Not just any wall, but a separation barrier, to employ the euphemism coined by Israel to describe the towering, snaking monstrosity that now separates it from Palestine's West Bank. Kenya's version will be on sections of its notoriously porous border with Somalia, a physical rendering in bricks, mortar and barbed wire of that line on the map.

"Construction works will begin soon. We expect to have finished the project before the end of the year," said Lamu County governor Issa Timamy, as reported in the Daily Nation. As yet, more details on the project are not forthcoming, and Lamu County did not respond to requests for comment. All we know is that the wall will be erected along the sections of border near the coast, and that it's intended to keep out illegal immigrants from Somalia as well as dangerous Al-Shabaab militants.

"This is where immigrants have been arrested trying...

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Kenya: The Great Wall of Kenya

Many Clouds will school over fences tomorrow as he gears up for a crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 13.

Unbeaten in three starts this season and as short as 7-1 for the blue riband, Oliver Sherwoods eight-year-old gelding was an impressive winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November.

He proved that to be no fluke when beating the likes of Smad Place, Dynaste and The Giant Bolster in the BetBright Cup Chase, formerly known as the Argento, at Cheltenham in January.

Sherwood is hoping the ground remains on the easy side of good for his date with destiny.

Sherwood said: He did his first piece of semi-serious work (on Tuesday morning) and I plan to pop him over a few fences on Thursday.

His latest success at Cheltenham was impressive and I just hope the forecast remains bad in the next couple of weeks.

Yesterday Puffin Billy restored some much-needed confidence with a measured success at Leicester but Sherwood has ruled out a potential tilt at the JLT Novices Chase at Cheltenham next month.

The lightly-raced seven-year-old has endured a somewhat stop-start season and disappointed when he was pulled up in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las last month.

However, connections found him a real opening reverting to fences at the Midlands track and he was back to something like the form which saw him win at Ascot in November.

The 4-9 favourite was made to work hard by Tinker Time in the three-runner Rutland Water Novices Chase but was three lengths to the good at the line in the hands of Leighton Aspell.

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Oliver Sherwood hoping rain continues to pour for Many Clouds