New York State

As many in the area continue to rebuild after Hurricane Helene, FEMA is hosting a Housing Resource Fair in Augusta this Saturday.

A big change could be coming to apartment development in North Augusta.

The All-CSRA Awards are now open to athletes from ALL sports! We are accepting nominations for VARSITY athletes in grades 9 through 12.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture announced Monday that poultry activities can resume as normal, following the "successful completion of testing and response protocols with no additional detection."

Augusta leaders are rejecting a proposal to reuse the historic fire station at Dyess Park which the city wants to demolish to make way for park renovations.

While debris trucks continue to pick up piles of debris in the city of Louisville, repair projects are in the works around the city.

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RACHEL Reeves has warned of being “kicked out” of office if Labour don’t deliver on the NHS and living standards amid the threat from Reform.

The Chancellor delivered a damning verdict on her party’s prospects saying they must deliver in a major wake-up call to Cabinet colleagues.

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Fears were also raised that Labour could receive an electoral drubbing similar to that received by Rishi Sunak last July – says after Nigel Farage’s party led a national opinion poll for the first time.

The Chancellor told The Political Party with Matt Forde said: “There’s lots of strategies for beating Reform or beating the Tories but in the end we have to deliver, haven’t you.

“At the next election, if people still find as hard to get a doctor’s appointment and they’re no better off, they are going to kick us out, like they kicked the last lot out.”

Reeves – who has put growth as the government’s number one mission – added that her party “have to show that we can be better”.

The Chancellor added that Reform leader Nigel Farage will want to say “things haven’t got any better” under Labour and “give us a go”.

She said: “We’ve got to show that people’s lives are better after five years of a Labour government.”

Her comments come after Sir Keir Starmer stepped up the attacks on Reform with a series of videos showing illegal migrants being deported from the UK.

Her comments come after the government has received a barrage of criticism since ending universal winter fuel payments, increasing national insurance contributions for business and hitting farmers with inheritance tax hikes.

Meanwhile, Ms Reeves said that “a deal can be done” with Donald Trump to avoid punishing steel tariffs hitting British firms.

The US President has put levies at 25 per cent on steel and aluminimum goods heading to the US.

Ms Reeves added: “We have got a steel sector that’s really important to our economy. About 10 per cent of the steel we make in Britain gets exported to the US.

“That’s an important market for us. We also import steel from the US as well. And as I said, we don’t have a trade surplus with America. I strongly believe that a deal can be done.”

She said: “Unlike many other countries around the world, we don’t run a trade surplus with the U.S.”

The Chancellor also revealed that she was taking a lesson from Trump’s positivity after claims within business that Ministers were talking the economy down last year.

She has also faced criticism that Ministers had dented confidence in the economy.

Ms Reeves said: “I’m still trying – it’s the middle of February now – to be more positive.

“We did inherit a mess, and it’s difficult not to talk about it. But I’m trying not to.

“I’m trying to be really positive about, you know, the huge potential, because we have got huge potential as a country. You know, great businesses, great skills, great universities.

“There’s so much going for us. So I’m trying to be trying to sort of channel my inner American and be more positive about things.”

Matt Forde’s West End The Political Party residency at The Duchess theatre with Alastair Campbell on 10th March, Anthony Scaramucci on 31st March and Wes Streeting on 12th May.

THE biggest customer service bugbears include rubbish hold music, no option to call back if you get cut off – and not being able to speak to a real person.

A poll of 2,000 adults revealed the biggest gripes when seeking help on the phone to a company, with long waiting times, and being asked to repeat your issue multiple times also on the top 30 list.

While 34% say automated responses that don’t address their service issues really grinds their gears, 28% get infuriated by rude staff.

More than a quarter (26%) can’t remember the last time they had a good customer service experience.

And despite 34% admitting they often shop around for better deals, 50% still wouldn’t feel confident making the switch with at least one of their providers if it ever came down it.

The research, commissioned by Utility Warehouse, which was recently named as a Which? Recommended Provider for Energy Companies 2025, also revealed the average time Brits have spent on the phone dealing with an issue is a whopping two hours.

With 89% saying they prefer to do this via a real person, rather than an automated system or chat bot.

To meet this need and help people better manage their relationships with utility providers, the company is running a special helpline for Valentine’s Day, to help people ‘break up’ with their current providers so they can find one that really cares.

Robyn Hyde at Utility Warehouse, which has also created a quiz that draws parallels between how we manage our utilities and our real-life relationships, said: “We know that for utility suppliers, offering a seamless, friendly and helpful experience for customers is not a nice-to-have — it’s essential.

“Too many people are stuck in frustrating relationships with their suppliers, left on hold for hours, battling unhelpful chatbots and struggling to get the service they deserve.

“This Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to make the move and break free from bad customer service, and our expert break-up helpline which is open this weekend is ready with friendly, practical advice on how to switch to a more supportive provider.”

The research further revealed that a third have previously been put off calling a utility provider to avoid contacting the support helpline.

Four in 10 people won’t get in touch because they expect it to be stressful and, what’s more, 80 per cent feel utility companies don’t care about solving their problem.

“We’re experiencing higher-than-normal call volumes”, “I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can do,” and “Please hold while I pass you to my colleague” were cited as the most frustrating phrases to hear.

Sarah Louise Ryan, dating and relationship expert who informed the outcome of the quiz, said: “Personal relationships and dating styles may feel completely separate to the way we approach our connections to energy, broadband or mobile contract providers.

“But a person’s romantic style often directly reflects their outlook on utilities.

“The quiz can help consumers easily identify their relationship type to better understand their wants and needs from a provider which ultimately results in a better match.”

The OnePoll.com data also revealed that for 54% of those who would consider switching, bad customer service would be the main reason for them to end their current contract.

While 67&% would draw the line at general poor service.

But the hassle of switching has stopped 32% from making a move, and fear of signing up to even worse service has made 26% stick with what they have got.

A POPULAR clothing shop is set to permanently shut after 113 years with “heaving hearts” as it launches a huge 50 per cent off closing sale.

The family-owned clothing store in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire was established in 1912 during the reign of King George V.

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Facebook/Clement taylor

After over a century in business, Clement Taylor will close its doors due to a lack of “footfall” and “rising costs”.

The store provided school uniform and gifts.

Locals said it was one of their “favourite places to buy something special”.

A spokesperson for Clement Taylor revealed it will close once all the stock has gone – which could be in just a few weeks.

The spokesperson said in a Facebook post: “It is with a heavy heart that after 113 years of trading, we will be closing up shop.

“We will still be trading for the next few months to clear stock. So come in and grab a bargain.

“We will have huge reductions on most items. We would like to thank our loyal customers over all these years for their support and custom.”

In a more recent Facebook post, uploaded on February 9, the retailer uploaded a video of its remaining stock.

The caption read: “Last few weeks before we close. We still have loads of bargains. 50% or more of almost all stock.

“We also selling old shop displays and antiques. Gifts and memorabilia.”

Some of the products on sale include men’s trousers, school uniform, coats, hats, suits, shirts and ties, ranging from £5 to 15.

It added: “Plus soft toys now 40% off as well as model kits etc.
all enquiries must be in person in store.

The comment section of the Facebook post also revealed the exact closure date.

One shopper asked: “What date do you close, please?”

To which a representative replied: “We won’t be trading after the 5th of April but could be sooner depending on other circumstances.”

Other shoppers shared their sorrows.

One said: “Such sad news you are closing.”

Just six months ago, the store was still earning gleaming reviews.

One person said: “Quality at its best every time. Lovely staff always friendly and helpful. Such a lovely family run shop.”

And then a second person said: “Visited today and kitted out my son for High school. The staff were so helpful and friendly.

“We were sorted within 15 minutes. Excellent service , we will definitely be back and spreading the word about this little gem of a shop thank you.”

Followed by a third: “Fantastic shop and staff, always has been. Will do anything for you and have things in no other shop does.

“It’s nice to have a place that doesn’t judge people.”

Clement Taylor origins back to the late 1800s as the founders father owned several shops in the area.

Despite being passed through a number of owners, the store has always stayed within the Taylor family.

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