Local News
Disappointing harvest
This year ’ s avocado harvest in the Axarquía is expected to yield poor or even disastrous results . Growers around La Viñuela reservoir say the lack of rainfall has led to a severe cut in the amount of water available for irrigation . It is Europe ’ s largest avocadogrowing region with much of the produce shipped abroad .
Solar cemetery
Solar panels are to be fitted on the top of 38 of the 212 blocks of niches at the San Gabriel cemetery in Málaga . Each unit will consist of 45 panels and will be laid flat , so will not be visible at ground level . The € 670,000 project , which is 80 % funded by EU Feder funds , is expected to save the city an estimated € 90,000 in electricity charges .
Social housing
Eleven homes which are to be built in Nerja ’ s calle Zubarán will be offered as lowcost social housing to young people in the town . Councillors have awarded the € 1.45 million construction contract to Bilba Constructora Andalucía . Each property will include a living-dining room , kitchen , bathroom , and two or three bedrooms , plus a basement for parking and storage .
Pilot training
The Aerodynamics Academy aeronautical training centre , with sites at Trapiche and Málaga city , is now able to provide training courses for UK commercial pilots . An agreement has been signed with the British Falcon Flight Training Academy and approval has been given by the British Civil Aviation Authority . UK pilots now need to have EASA ( European Aviation Safety Agency ) and CAA ( Civil Aviation Authority ) qualifications to operate in Europe .
Quiet Room
There is now an oasis of calm amongst the hustle and bustle of Málaga ’ s airport . The Quiet Room ( Sala de Silencio ), situated close to boarding gate C30 , has a vertical garden , a water wall , solar panels and tiered seating . It is open every day and is said to offer tranquillity to busy and frustrated travellers .
Name change ?
Málaga ’ s Roselada stadium may be about to change its name . Málaga FC is actively seeking € 1.5 million and allowing a sponsor to lend its name to their home ground is one option being considered . Several other Spanish clubs have taken this step with Barcelona ’ s home now called the Spotify Camp Nou while Atlético play at the Civitas Metropolitano .
Concert chaos at the fair
A free concert during the annual fair in late July at Torre del Mar descended into chaos when thousands turned up to see the Barcelona rapper Morad . The concert had to be suspended after 10,000 people crammed into a marquee designed for 2,000 causing panic and a stampede .
Numbers were so great that many youngsters could not fit inside and began climbing up its outer structure , causing it to begin to sway from side to side , according to witnesses . One young woman fell from several metres and had to be treated by members of the Red Cross . Others climbed onto the roofs of portable toilets or onto the roofs of vehicles to try to see the artiste .
In addition , staff working at bars in the fair ground are reported to have been threatened and abused , with bottles of wine and spirits being stolen by the huge crowd which included many minors between 12 and 14 years . Anxiety attacks and fights , plus knives and pepper sprays , only added to the chaos .
Police said later that there was a “ lack of control in the marquee and the surrounding area ,” while officers noted that the security perimeter “ had been partially dismantled ” and used as ladders to climb onto various structures including the marquee . At 1.05am , National Police were called to remove the artiste from the stage and end the concert . The official report stated that security at the event was “ clearly insufficient , creating a situation of serious risk .” Those attending the event took to social media describing the experience as “ a horror ” and “ a nightmare ” with some fearing for their lives .
Thieves foiled
Thieves stole a truck from a Nerja construction company on August 7 and used it to steal an ATM from Lidl supermarket in the town . Police say the cash machine was taken to a remote country spot where the gang failed to break into it to seize the cash , and then vandalised and abandoned both vehicle and ATM . A very similar incident was reported from Vélez- Málaga a few days earlier .
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