SAN DIEGO -- The Navy relieved the commanding officer of the USS Essex of his position, saying Tuesday that officials lost confidence in his abilities after his ship collided with a tanker at sea.
Capt. Chuck Litchfield had only been the commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship for a few weeks when the crash occurred about 120 miles off the coast of Southern California on May 16. There were no injuries or fuel spills.
The Essex was approaching the oiler USNS Yukon to be refueled as part of a routine operation when they ran into each other. Both ships were damaged but were able to continue on their way to San Diego.
Navy spokeswoman, Cmdr. Tamsen Reese, said the steering failed on the Essex, which caused the two ships to move closely together.
But the crew was able to regain control of the rudder before the collision.
The investigation determined that there were break downs in the command and control of the Essex, and in the communication between the two ships, Reese said.
Authorities also found there was a loss of situational awareness on the bridge.
All those factors, Reese said, led to the collision.
Essex was carrying 982 crew members on its way to San Diego for scheduled maintenance. It had spent the past 12 years based in Sasebo, Japan, as command ship for the Navy's Expeditionary Strike Group 7.
Litchfield was relieved Monday of his position and has been administratively reassigned to the staff of Commander, Naval Air Force of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
He could not be reached for comment.
Litchfield graduated with merit from the Naval Academy in 1988 and has been recognized for his achievements as a naval aviator. He was selected for major sea command in 2009.
Capt. Jonathan Harnden has temporarily assumed command of the Essex until a permanent replacement is assigned. Harnden previously commanded the USS Bonhomme Richard, which Litchfield had taken command of Feb. 3 before switching over to the Essex on April 23.
Officials said the Essex will depart Wednesday as scheduled to participate in the Rim of the Pacific exercise this summer in Hawaii.
Source: www.military.com
Essex: Springwatch star Michaela Strachan to open new visitor centre at Abberton Reservoir near Colchester - East Anglian Daily Times
Michaela Strachan is to open a new visitor centre at Abberton Reservoir near Colchester
By Chris Harris
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
7:48 AM
TELEVISION presenter Michaela Strachan will officially unveil a new wildlife visitor centre and nature reserve in Essex.
Ms Strachan, who has just finished filming Springwatch for the BBC, will open the Essex Wildlife Trust building at Abberton Reservoir near Colchester.
The 15-sided visitor complex has been built as part of a £150million project to increase the reservoir’s capacity by 15billion litres.
John Hall, chief executive of Essex Wildlife Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome a wildlife champion like Michaela Strachan to Abberton Reservoir to carry out the official opening duties of our new visitor centre and reserve.
“We look forward to welcoming guests and the public to what should be a memorable day. Abberton is already a hugely significant site for wildlife and our new reserve will help make it even more crucial over the coming years.
“Our fabulous new visitor centre brings people closer to that wildlife. The trust’s vision is of a ‘Living Landscape’ where wildlife and people co-exist side by side, to mutual benefit, and Abberton is a fine example of that ideal.
“Together with Essex & Suffolk Water we are making Abberton Reservoir better for wildlife, better for people – and better for future generations.”
Strachan will officially open the centre on Saturday and will be joined by the Mayor of Colchester and representatives from Layer-de-la-Haye Parish Council, Essex Birdwatching Society, Natural England, Abberton Management Committee and TJ Evers, who built the visitor centre.The opening ceremony will coincide with a special fair, which will include a birds of prey display, charity and trade stands, refreshments and a beer tent.
John Devall, operations director of Essex & Suffolk Water, said: “Abberton Reservoir is one of the most important sites in Europe for its wildlife and is also an essential part of the county’s infrastructure helping us supply water to more than a million people in Essex.
“The official opening of the visitor centre is a chance to celebrate this fantastic new facility, which provides a gateway to access this very special site.
“The relocation and enhancement of the visitor centre is part of the Abberton Scheme, which includes the expansion of the reservoir’s capacity by 58%.
“Guests at the opening event will also have the opportunity to learn more about this essential and major Scheme from the project team.”
The old visitor centre, opened in 1990, has been dismantled on low-lying land that will be flooded. The new visitor centre is on adjacent higher land, at the heart of an 80-acre nature reserve.
Source: www.eadt.co.uk
Totes embarrassing! TOWIE's Lauren Goodger fails to draw in the crowds as just a handful of fans turn up to her fake tan launch in Romford - Daily Mail
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She found fame as the star of hit reality show The Only Way Is Essex but Lauren Goodger appears to have enjoyed her fifteen minutes.
The reality star was left rather embarrassed after a pitiful number of fans turned up to meet her at a department store today.
Lauren,25, had expected to meet hordes of fans at the Debenhams store in Romford, Essex.
Can't pull in the crowds: Lauren Goodger found herself greeting just a handful of people at the launch of her Lauren's Way tanning range in Debenhams in Romford today
But an onlooker told MailOnline that only ten people turned up to enjoy a moment with the reality star.
A spokesperson for Lauren, who did not attend the event commented: 'We have no involvement with Lauren’s Way so have no idea ourselves however the Lauren’s Way team told us that there were approximately 100 people over the course of the time she was there.'
It was clear that Lauren and her team had expected a large number of people at the event to launch her fake tan range in the store, and barriers were put up in anticipation of the crowds.
No need for the barriers: The team had expected a big turn out at the store and put up barriers in anticipation but they were not needed as only a small number of people turned up
Wasted efforts: There were signs prepared but they were not needed at Lauren's launch today
Yesterday Lauren, who has over a million followers on Twitter, posted: 'I start my tour of Launches in @Debenhams tomorrow looking forward meeting everyone! 1pm I will be at the Romford store ♥.'
While she might not have the most fans the few people that did turn up to spend time with her were glad for the opportunity.
One fan posted: 'Yaayy I just met @LaurenGoodger at debenhams, I'm so excited #MyFavTowieGirl #SheIsStunning http://pic.twitter.com/vUvvdLdw'
Ghost town: While a source told MailOnline only ten people turned up Lauren's spokesperson said 100 people turned up non of whom can be seen in this photo taken at the time of the event
Trim shape: Lauren showed off her trimmer shape in a pair of navy shorts and a cream top at the department store launch
Another was equally excited and tweeted: 'Best moment of my life! I love you @LaurenGoodger xxxxx'
Lauren showed off her slimmer shape in a pair of navy shorts and a blouse for the occasion.
The embarrassing turn out comes just a few days after Lauren found only a small amount of people turn up to a nightclub evening she was hosting.
A clubber at Nu Bar in Essex told MailOnline: ‘Lauren turned up at about midnight to do a planned personal appearance. It was quite embarrassing because only about 60 or 70 people had showed up to see her.'
'This guy tried to get a picture and a kiss and at first she refused. In the end Lauren let him take the picture but he tried to kiss her and she stumbled and then he took pictures of her on the ground.'
Happy fans: The few people that did turn up were delighted to meet Lauren
‘She tried to get them deleted and security had to be called. Eventually the pictures were deleted but Lauren refused to take any more photos with anyone. She left then and we saw her sitting on the stairs for a while.
‘Two girls who were leaving the club were furious, ranting “F*****g Lauren Goodger, who does she think she is? She’s nothing but a s**g.” Lauren must have heard them because they were shouting really loudly.
‘Last I saw of Lauren was when she got paid and left.’
She looks a little awkward: Lauren was armed with a stack of cards ready to sign but she didn't need most of them
Lauren has recently spoken out about how she has suffered bullying over the internet from fans of the reality show.
She has revealed how the horrible messages have knocked her confidence.
Lauren said: '’ll get hundreds of responses to anything I post saying things like "you’re fat", "you’re ugly", or "who are you?"
Some of the more horrific messages read:'I bet your mum and dad hate you' and 'I bet your mum wishes her egg had never accepted the sperm that made you.'
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Win tickets to see Sussex Sharks v Essex Eagles - Chichester Observer
Sussex Sharks’ Friends Life t20 campaign is finally under way following an impressive 11-run victory over Middlesex Panthers at Lord’s on Sunday.
Overseas star Scott Styris announced himself in Sharks colours with a knock of 48 from 30 balls while Murray Goodwin made 43 from 38.
In a thrilling Middlesex run chase, it could have gone either way at the home of cricket but left-armer Chris Liddle ensured the points came back to Hove with devastating figures of five for 17.
The Panthers will look to exact revenge when they travel to The PROBIZ County Ground on Friday evening before Sussex host the Essex Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
We have two pairs of tickets for the Essex clash to give away.
To enter, just name three of the other counties in Sussex’s t20 south group this year. Email your answer, plus your name, address and telephone number, to sport@chiobserver.co.uk by the deadline of 10am Friday (June 22). The winners will be notified on Friday. Entrants’ details will be destroyed.
If you’re not lucky enough to get your hands on a pair in our competition, tickets are on sale now for both the Friday and Sunday matches priced at £20 each for adults and £10 for juniors (in advance).
Call 0844 264 0206 or book at www.sussexcricket.co.uk or why not enjoy a ‘fantastic family Sunday’ which includes a two-course Sunday lunch, a match ticket v Essex and dedicated seating in the BrightonandHoveJobs.com Boundary Rooms.
This costs £40 for adults, juniors £20, or a family ticket of two adults and two juniors is £100.
Call or book online.
Email to a friend
Print this pageSource: www.chichester.co.uk
Council staff spend £5m in two years, buying make up, fast food and trips to India - Daily Telegraph
Figures published by the Brentwood Gazette as part of an investigation into council waste found officers spent £5,136,145 in 27 months.
Eric Pickles, local government secretary and Brentwood and Ongar MP told the newspaper the amount “strikes him as excessive”.
He said: “People at Essex County Council need to realise that it isn’t Essex’s money, it isn’t the Government’s money, it is the public’s money and the public have a right to know how it is being spent.”
He advised the council to publish all transactions online, adding: “If they do that you are not likely to get money spent on cosmetics and McDonald’s.”
Last month, a report by the Audit commission criticised council staff for failing to provide receipts in relation to purchases made on the card "in some cases".
It recommended: “The Council should issue further instructions to staff explaining they must submit receipts with claims and consider withdrawing procurement cards in response to expenditure being incurred with no receipt repeatedly.”
Since December 2009, the council have spent £3,827 on bars, discos and nightclubs, £644 on cosmetics, £1,915 on hair and beauty shops and £635,960 in supermarkets and grocery stores.
Other receipts show spending on flights with Virgin Atlantic, alcohol from Majestic Wines and trips to Thrope Park, Alton Towers and the London Eye.
A further £53,869 was spent on theatre productions, £51,350 on card, gift and souvenir shops and £67.89 at a fancy dress shop.
Another £3,116 was spent on six people staying at the Nan Lin Hotel in China, and £1,301 for six people to stay at the Taj Lands End hotel in India.
The figures do not include details of former leader Lord Hanningfield, who is being investigated by police for his expenses.
Robert Oxley, from the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers will be left gobsmacked that their money has been spent on the council living it up at night clubs plus stays at five star hotels, shoe shining and even hat cleaning.
“Residents will be left wondering why they are picking up bills totalling tens of thousands of pounds at country clubs, florists, bakeries and record shops.
“The receipts suggest officers at Essex County Council have been enjoying the high life at taxpayers’ expense.”
The P cards, which are intended for low value transactions under £2,000, provided by Barclaycard and have an interest rate of 0 per cent, are currently used by 757 council officers and no council members.
The council’s policy states they must not be used for personal purchases or the withdrawal of cash, with staff instructed to provide receipts for every transaction.
A spokeswoman for Essex County Council said: “Essex County Council has a robust policy relating to spend on p-cards and all p-card holders must be given authorisation by a senior manager to carry out such transactions.
“Like all businesses Essex County Council incurs costs which must be met and p-cards are an efficient way to do this. The p-cards are used by officers working across all the Council's services including schools, children's homes and our country parks.
"Essex County Council is the corporate parent for children aged 15 and under who become looked after when their birth parents are unable to provide ongoing care in either a temporary or permanent capacity.
"Our Looked After Children teams take on the role of a parent for these children and are responsible for their daily care needs while they are under the care of the County Council’s Children’s Social Services.
"Approximately 750 of the 38,000 officers employed by Essex County Council have a card and expenditure on them only relates to a small proportion of our overall budget.”
The total amount spent on p-cards in the 2011/12 financial year was £2.7million which is a small proportion of ECC’s overall budget which was £2.096bn.
No cardholders have been disciplined in relation to p-cards since December 2009, a spokeswoman added.
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
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