The daughter of a victim of the 2013 Lac-Mégantic train derailment fled the city after the tragedy and plunged into drug hell in an attempt at “self-destructive survival” before finding a zest for life again years later.

• Also read: Bypass in Lac-Mégantic: the torn population

• Also read: Bypass road in Lac-Mégantic: According to the mayor, not a “popular” project

“I knew it wouldn’t be my whole life. But I told myself I needed it to keep from hanging myself. I had to erase my reality,” says Mégane Turcotte, who she met in Beauce almost ten years after the Saint-Georges tragedy.

On July 6, 2013, his mother, Diane Bizier, went to the Musi-Café in Lac-Mégantic, as she did almost every weekend, to meet up with friends. She was with her husband, who had left earlier that evening.

Diane Bizier, Mégane Turcotte’s mother, died in the Lac-Mégantic tragedy on July 6, 2013. Photo courtesy of Mégane Turcotte

For her part, Mégane Turcotte fell asleep around midnight after babysitting the children of the Musi-Café’s then-owner. But she woke up hours later to hear conversations outside and saw that it was “bright as day”.

“When I came out, I saw my brother talking to his girlfriend. I asked her what was going on. Her look said it all…” says Ms. Turcotte emotionally.

That’s when she learned that downtown was on fire and her mother was nowhere to be found.

descent into hell

“Deep down, I felt like I would never see my mother again, even though I didn’t want to admit it to myself. Even today it’s as if I never really realized what happened to us,” says the young woman, now 27 years old.

What followed was a veritable descent into hell for Mégane Turcotte, who began using cannabis and cocaine in ever-increasing amounts to “suppress her feelings”.

Mégane Turcotte has a lust for life again after seeing one of her relatives end his life. DIDIER DEBUSSCISSORS/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC

It was also during this time that she fled the town of her childhood “disfigured and saddened,” began dating a man who quickly became toxic and violent, and toyed with the idea of ​​taking his own life.

“I wasn’t ready to face the loss of my mother, it hurt so bad inside, constantly. And I was afraid that another event would happen and take away my loved ones one by one,” explains Ms Turcotte.

An “urgency” to live

A few years later, one of his work colleagues ended his life after suffering a heartbreak. That’s when she realized she had a life ahead of her and wanted to be happy.

“It gave me a slap in the face, I felt the urge to live. I began to see everything the future could offer me,” says the young woman, who sought help to take back control of her life and break free from her toxic association.

Ms. Turcotte has decided to look ahead and is currently completing a DEP in Computer Support. She even plans to take video game programming courses at university afterward.

This is one of the last photos of Diane Bizier and her daughter Mégane Turcotte, taken at the latter’s prom, a few weeks before the tragedy. Photo courtesy of Mégane Turcotte

However, ten years later, the pain associated with the town of Lac-Mégantic is still too great for the young woman to contemplate one day settling there.

“But it is important that we remember this tragedy. For my mother and all the other victims who didn’t ask for anything. For my part, I know that she has her eye on me,” she concludes.

Mégane Turcotte is due to release a book called Mortal Love next October, which will focus on her vision of the years following the Lac-Mégantic train derailment and the impact the tragedy had on her life.

Alcaraz is recovering during practice this Friday at Wimbledon. Clive Brunskill (Getty Images)

The motto is clear: prudence, caution, prevention. Minimize all risks. Therefore, Carlos Alcaraz, again number one after his recent triumph at Queen’s, only entered the training track this Friday, the day the Wimbledon organization made the draw of the tables and the Spaniard set foot on the turf for the first time in All England Tennis Club gathers. He did it in the morning, already knowing what situation he’ll have to deal with in the next two weeks, paying particular attention to the musculature that had warned him a few days ago at Queen’s that it should be closely monitored. Against this background, all due diligence is negligible.

Alcaraz is there, having won his first trophy on grass, making this attack on the great Britons with as much ambition as moderation. The adductor muscle (back of the right thigh) gave him problems in last Sunday’s final against Australia’s Alex de Miñaur and at the same time he has reiterated the idea of ​​relieving him as much as possible during the past week of preparation. Instead of jumping straight onto the green to get started like Novak Djokovic did himself, the Murcian trained four days before the draw on the field specially designed for aerobic exercise and working with the physios.

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Aware that the technical acclimatization period at Queen’s was completed with excellent results, Alcaraz has refined his chassis in this warm-up area under the extensive supervision of his physiotherapist Juanjo Moreno, who landed in London on Monday alongside the coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero. Previously, it was Juanjo Lledó, fitness trainer, who put particular emphasis on adapting to the complex nature of the lawn, which requires very specific mechanisms. Especially when it comes to lower body maneuvers: short stride, lots of explosiveness, and almost constant leg flexion. That means a lot of stress on the legs.

Alcaraz, after the session is over. Steven Paston (AP)

Thought of pampering his body, the El Palmar man (20 years old) gave up the doubles appearance he originally planned at the Hurlingham exhibition and did not compete against Holger Rune or Dominic Thiem, who he is up against would switch off a priori. Wednesday or this Friday. Yes, that’s where Djokovic was put to the test, who once again opted to go straight to Wimbledon without an official rehearsal but wanted to make a splash (in his favor) with Frances Tiafoe at least in the pre-season pulse. Rather than playing, Alcaraz – which is just a five-minute walk from the All England Tennis Club – has preferred to combine fitness with rest and took advantage of Tuesday to play golf with Ferrero. As it was in Paris, where it was dosed to avoid damage, it will keep the momentum going in London.

Djokovic, only in the final

The El Palmar man also followed the advice of his personal doctor Juanjo López and began loosening his arm again four days after making his debut in the English major, which will be played against veteran Jeremy Chardy on Tuesday. In principle, a friendly start – the Frenchman, 36 and 534th in the world with a protected ranking – is preceded by a theoretically winding route suggesting crosses with Arthur Rinderknech – the only one to have stolen a set from him Queen’s – and Chilean Nicolás Jarry -powerful server- before the start of the corners. He could meet the demanding De Miñaur in the round of 16 and from there potential threats like the up-and-coming Rune or Daniil Medvedev appear before the dream landing in the final. In any case, Wimbledon is a box full of surprises; even more in the first week.

On the other side of the field, Djokovic has already tested the thick grass in the middle and continues to sharpen up in his quest for his eighth title in London that would put him on par with the great Roger Federer. The 36-year-old Serb and winner of this season in Australia and Roland Garros will make his debut against Pedro Cachín (67) on Monday and on his horizon he sees the likes of American Brandon Nakashima (51), Argentinian Tomás Martín Etcheverry (32. ). ), the Italian Lorenzo Musetti (15th), the Russian Andrey Rublev (7th) or the Norwegian Casper Ruud (4th). He wasn’t able to meet Alcaraz until the 16th in the final.

BADOSA ARRIVES ON TIME

AC | Madrid

Despite the predicted duration of the defeat was around eight to 12 weeks, Paula Badosa eventually reached the final draw of the tournament and will therefore take part in her first Major this year after missing the Australian Open and Roland Garros due to various physical problems.

The 25-year-old Spaniard, who is 35th in the WTA list, suffered a fractured vertebra in a competition in Rome at the end of May but was given the green light to compete in Wimbledon and will face American Alison Riske (140th) on Tuesday ).

In addition to her, five other Spanish representatives are represented among the women and seven are registered among the men. These are the pairings:

Paula Badosa-Allyson Riske.
Sara Sorribes-Martina Trevisan.
Cristina Bucsa-Kamilla Rakhimova.
Rebekka Mazarova– Mayar Sheriff.
Nuria Parrizas– Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
Jessica Bouzas-Anhelina Kalinina.

Carlos Alcaráz– Jeremy Chardy.
Roberto Bautista– Roman Safiullin.
Alexander Davidovich– Arthur Phils.
Roberto Carballes-Matteo Arnaldi.
Jaume Munar-John Isner.
Albert Ramos-Hubert Hurkacz.
Bernabe Zapata-Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

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Stuck in a pond in Louisiana since the hurricane Ida In 2021, a mother dolphin and her baby were finally rescued two weeks ago.

Wildlife experts finally transferred the animals on June 17th. The Audubon Coastal Wildlife Network (CWN) believes the dolphins were swept away by the tropical storm’s waves.

“CWN monitors [les deux mammifères marins] I’ve been waiting for them for more than a year [petit] be old enough to take them to an area with access to open water,” the organization posted on Facebook.

Although the pond has adequate nutrition, reasonable salinity, and tidal flow, it does not have access to the Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, it required a team of trained and skilled responders and the authorities to return them to their natural habitat.

“Storm surges and increased coastal flooding associated with hurricanes often result in marine mammals and sea turtles being washed ashore or into inland waters where they are not generally seen, such as lakes, ponds and canals,” explained the CWN.

Tyler Perry has vowed to help a 93-year-old grandmother of 40 who says real estate developers are trying to evict her from the home her family has owned since the Civil War.

Josephine Wright’s bungalow in Hilton Head, Carolina is in the middle of an area being developed by Bailey Point Investment.

They wanted to buy her land, but she refused. They have since sued her, claiming that parts of her property are on her land.

“I’ve been pretty much a fighter my whole life,” she said. “At first it confused me. But then it made me angry.’

Perry, the billionaire film producer and studio owner based in Atlanta, Georgia, saw the local news report on her case and now said he wants to help.

Josephine Wright, 93, is fighting to save the Hilton Head, South Carolina home (pictured) her family has owned since the Civil War

Billionaire film producer Tyler Perry, who was seen in November, has promised to help Josephine Wright

Perry wrote on Twitter: “I’ve been a fighter my whole life,” said 93-year-old Josephine Wright. That makes two of us.

‘MS. Wright, please tell us where to show up and what you need to help in the fight.’

Film producer Will Packer commented, ‘I got Mrs Josephine back too.’ Count me in TP.’

Singer Fantasia agreed, adding, “I’ll stand by your side too, Tyler.”

Wright told WSAV that the property has been her family’s home for generations.

“This house means it’s a home, a place that I want to be at that age,” she said.

It has been in the family since shortly after the Civil War.

Her husband was a Gullah Geechee Islander, descendant of Africans enslaved on the rice, indigo, and Sea Island cotton plantations of the lower Atlantic coast along the Carolinas. Many came from rice-growing regions of West Africa.

His relatives were escaped slaves and were freed by Union soldiers.

Bailey Point has begun construction of a 147-unit development spanning over 65 acres.

They wanted to buy her land: when she said no, she claimed a harassment campaign had begun. She said her tires were slashed, rubbish was thrown on her property and a snake was hanging out of one of her windows.

Bailey Point says Wright is blocking construction progress. They sued her and accused her of having her porch on their property.

The developers sued Wright, claiming her porch was on their property

Wright said she was harassed after refusing to sell her land

Wright has already paid for a shed move that cost about $1,900 and got rid of a satellite dish.

Former State Representative Bakari Sellers is now working with Wright’s legal team and is asking people to call the developer and lawmakers to help Wright keep her property.

“We sent a letter two weeks ago just asking the developer for a notice. Just ask the developer to talk to us. Talk to her. Just to have a conversation together about how to proceed,” Sellers said.

“I find it more disrespectful than no if you don’t answer.”

Wright has an attorney and is fighting the lawsuit, but her family is asking for help paying the legal fees for this fight. A GoFundMe has been set up to support Josephine with her legal expenses.

“We value or seek to accumulate generational wealth,” Sellers said.

“If you talk about poverty in our communities, it’s because we don’t have land, and when we have land, people want to take it from us.”

“There’s a lot of people to pick on.” Go for me.

“Don’t pick a 93-year-old woman who hasn’t done anything wrong in her life.”

Wright’s neighbors are now involved and working to protect them and the land.

“We do not have the right to change what has already been approved; The ship sailed. “We can’t change the zoning,” said Kelly LeBlanc, part of the newly formed Jonesville Preservation Society.

“The city is examining the approval phase very closely. “The city makes sure that the legal texts are observed.”

Kelly LeBlanc, part of the newly formed Jonesville Preservation Society (pictured), said she was working to fight back against the developers

Wright said she wanted to fight to keep her home.

“I guess they thought the harassment would upset me enough to say, ‘Take it.’ But they don’t know me. “I’m here to fight for what I have,” she said.

“I don’t want to say anything that could be used against me, but I think they’re ruthless and greedy and want all the property they can get their hands on.”

Perry is known for his generosity, especially in the Atlanta area.

In February, he donated $2.75 million through the nonprofit Invest Atlanta Partnership to help low-income seniors with their property tax payments.

He donated $750,000 in the first year to cover back taxes and any property tax increases, and has pledged $500,000 each year for the next four years to ensure residents don’t have to pay additional taxes.

Perry hosts food giveaways every year just in time for Thanksgiving and has helped numerous organizations that have been victims of crime.

His charitable endeavors include building a home for a great-grandmother of seven who lost everything in a fire; Surprise kids with a trip to Disney World. and holding a camp quarantine at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.

7 hours ago

Image source: Getty Images

picture description,

Canada Day celebrations on Prince Edward Island in 2022. Some of this year’s celebrations have been canceled due to poor air quality and the risk of wildfires

Persistent poor air quality over North America and concerns about further fires have led to some Canada Day fireworks being cancelled.

There were also air quality concerns related to the Fourth of July celebrations next week in the United States.

Smoke has rolled across much of the US and Canada this week.

On Friday, cities like New York, Toronto, Montreal and Washington DC topped the list of major cities with the worst air quality in the world.

The first night of an annual Montreal fireworks competition on Thursday was canceled, and the city’s Canada Day event scheduled for Saturday night was also canceled.

However, a celebration in Toronto is still planned. The city is continuing to monitor the situation, a spokesman said, but no changes are planned until Friday.

The July 1 holiday commemorates the British North America Act, which united four British colonies into a single new country in 1867. Like Independence Day in the US, it is traditionally celebrated with outdoor events including fireworks.

A number of cities and towns in some of the worst-hit areas have canceled their Canada Day pyrotechnics or moved them out of forested areas.

Image source: Getty Images

picture description,

Poor air quality was seen in Montreal earlier this week

Smoke could cloud Fourth of July celebrations

The image for the US Independence Day is unclear. Long-term predictions of smoke levels are difficult, said Dave Roth, a forecaster at the US National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.

“The areas where we expect the most smoke over the next day and a half are in Minnesota, Wisconsin and parts of the northeastern United States,” he said Friday afternoon, noting that weekend rains in New England are likely to improve air quality would in the region.

“Showers and thunderstorms are great for clearing the atmosphere,” he said.

Another weather factor — extreme heat and drought — has led to the cancellation of fireworks events in two Missouri cities, according to local reports.

A long, smoky summer

Just in time for the bank holiday weekend, Canada’s wildfires have brought bad air to the center of the continent.

“It’s fairly well known that July 4th tends to be one of the worst air quality days of the year,” said Anastasia Montgomery, a researcher at Northwestern University in Chicago.

“It’s not just the fireworks,” she said. “There’s a lot more traffic, a lot more crickets – the behaviors around the holidays combine with the heat to create really bad air quality.”

The smoke will persist until the Canadian fires are extinguished, Mr Roth said. In addition, forest fires in the western United States – Texas and Arizona – have been sighted in recent days. So far the region has seen relatively few wildfires compared to Canada’s fires this year, but that may change.

“What ends the fire season in the US and Canada is cooler temperatures and ultimately rain and snow,” which comes in September and October, he said.

video caption,

Watch: Americans fight under smoke-filled air