High winds cancel carnivals

Carnivals across the Levante were cancelled this afternoon due to the high winds. Pulpí, Garrucha and others all posted urgent messages on social media urging people not to go to the appointed marches as nothing was going to happen. The area continues under orange alert for high winds until midnight tonight. Nice but colder tomorrow. Oh, and the flag pole carrying the Vera flag on the roundabout outside the Galasa offices just went for a Continue reading High winds cancel carnivals

Cuevas tortoise sanctuary squashed after farmers complain

A massive tortoise sanctuary project in Cuevas has been shelved after complaints by farmers. The central Ministry of the Environment wanted to create a new 500 ha natural park for the massively endangered local tortuga mora, but Cuevas townhall appealed and local farmers who looked set to lose land objected viciously to the plans. Some 130 landowners would have lost land under the plan, but the Ministry originally said that the land was unproductive and Continue reading Cuevas tortoise sanctuary squashed after farmers complain

Pulpí AVE line approved by government

The Council of Ministers have voted to free up 71 million euros to build the 12,2 km stretch of high speed railway between Pulpí and Cuevas del Almanzora. This bit of the AVE was supposed to be paid for last year, but the money comes four months after expected due to “technical problems” with the plans. It’s the extension of the abandoned AVE project that runs past Los Gallardos and Turre that cost upwards of Continue reading Pulpí AVE line approved by government

AVE back on – Pulpí to Cuevas line to be contracted out in October!

The government announced this morning in the Senate that an 86 million euro tender to build a further 12,2 km stretch of AVE high speed railway between Pulpí and Cuevas del Almanzora will be issued in October. It’s pure propaganda ahead of next years elections, but welcome none the less, I suppose. The Almeria – Murcia line is divided up into many different section. The Cabrera tunnel section is finished, as is the Sorbas – Continue reading AVE back on – Pulpí to Cuevas line to be contracted out in October!

Local water declared drinkable

The Department of Health (sanidad) has issued a unified declaration of potability for the water of Galasa across the Levante. It comes after an extensive period of government testing of water at 83 urban centres across Carboneras, Mojácar, Turre, Antas, Arboleas, Cuevas del Almanzora, Garrucha, Huércal-Overa, Los Gallardos, Pulpí, Zurgena & Bédar.

Pulpí paedophile paediatrician arrested in Colombia after fleeing arrest in Almería

A paediatrician doctor who worked in Pulpí (Almería) has been arrested on paedophilia charges in his native Colombia. Dr Carlos Alexander Rodríguez Linares fled back to his homeland after police in Almería investigated him for sexual crimes against child patients of his.

Ex-minister of Defence in hot water over her illegal extension on Almería holiday home

Carmé Chacón, the ex-Minister of Defence, is in hot water with her neighbours after she illegally erected a large wooden pergola in the garden of her luxury apartment in Pulpí. The matter could end up in the courts if she doesn’t respond quickly to requests to have it taken down. She made the extension to her 300,000€ property in the “Mar de Pulpi” urbanisation without bothering to ask permission back in the summer of 2011, Continue reading Ex-minister of Defence in hot water over her illegal extension on Almería holiday home

Fire continues but much more localised

The fire has been much reduced. Local media reports that  a total of 14 air units are working on extinguishing the fires, and over 50 specialist control firemen from across the area are on the ground. Units of Protección Civil from Los Gallardos, Garrucha, Mojácar, Cuevas del Almanzora & Pulpí have arrived, as have Local Police, Guardia Civil units and forest fire experts from Almería. Air units are believed to be 8 helicopters, three ground Continue reading Fire continues but much more localised

Carboneras desalination plant FINALLY connected to the network, but I bet you still can’t drink the water

150,000 people will start to receive desalinated water from the Carboneras plant, after the Minister for the Environment opened the taps to allow water to flow from Carboneras to the Levante water network. The desalination plant was built several years ago in Carboneras, because that’s where the power plant is. But it was never connected to the Levante, because the water pipe that existed was designed to take water from Mojacar to Carboneras – and Continue reading Carboneras desalination plant FINALLY connected to the network, but I bet you still can’t drink the water