Joanna Whitton, 48, of Ty Gwalia, Penarth was stopped by police on Junction 30 in Cardiff on April 7.
She pleaded guilty to having 85 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
The legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
Whitton also admitted driving without due care and attention.
Whitton was disqualified from driving for 20 months and ordered to pay £365 in a fine, costs and a surcharge.
Public Health Wales has written to parents and carers who have children in primary schools in Barry to ask them to ensure that they and their children are extra careful with handwashing, because of an outbreak of Hepatitis A in the town.
This is a viral infection that affects the liver, that in most cases is a mild illness, that most people make a full recovery from without long term health problems.
Public Health Wales is working with the local health board and council teams to look into a small number of Hepatitis A cases of the same strain, which have been identified in three separate households in Barry.
This information we have about this strain suggests the infection may be spreading locally.
A team of health experts has been brought together to better understand how the infection is spreading and make sure the right action is being taken.
Those who have been unwell are receiving appropriate care and are recovering well.
As a precaution, vaccination has already been offered to people who have been in close contact with those infected.
Public Health Wales has contacted everyone identified as needing a vaccine. You do not need to contact your GP to request a vaccine unless you need one for travel to a country where Hepatitis A is very common.
Susan Mably, Consultant in Health Protection for Public Health Wales said: “We would like to thank people in Barry for their support while we have been looking into these clusters of cases.
“We are now writing to parents who have children in primary schools in Barry to ask them to be vigilant with their children’s handwashing to prevent further spread of infection.
“The best way to prevent the spread of Hepatitis A is to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. This is important after using the toilet, changing nappies and before preparing or eating food.
“Some young children who are infected may not show any symptoms but can spread the infection to others who can then become unwell. Parents and carers should help and remind young children to wash their hands properly.
If you or your child feels unwell and have symptoms such as a fever, feeling very tired, a loss of appetite, feeling sick or being sick or have yellow skin or eyes you should contact your GP or NHS 111 Wales.”
Further information about Hepatitis A is available on the NHS 111 Wales website, or at Hepatitis A – Public Health Wales.
Owain Wyn Evans, BBC Radio 2 presenter and drummer, joins Cardiff-based Latch, a Welsh charity supporting children with cancer and their families.
The charity, based at the Children’s Hospital for Wales, offers social work services, financial assistance, and on-site family accommodation.
Mr Wyn Evans said: “I’m so thrilled to be supporting Latch as a Patron, they are a charity that are very close to my heart.
“My husband Arran’s family were supported by Latch when he was a child, as was a very good friend of mine and her family more recently.
“Their work is nothing short of amazing during difficult times. I’m really looking forward to working with the team and learning more about the life-changing work of Latch to support children and families across Wales.”
Hailing from Ammanford and now living in Penarth, Mr Wyn Evans is best known for his high-energy broadcasting style and his 24-hour drumathon for Children in Need.
He was introduced as patron during a celebration event at Cardiff & Vale College, where he met families and charity supporters, and took part in a Q&A session with college students.
Latch hopes Mr Wyn Evans’ profile will help raise awareness as the charity seeks to expand its reach.
Susan Gwyer-Roberts DL, chair of Latch, said: “On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Owain as our new Honorary Patron.
“We look forward to working with Owain in his new role to raise further awareness of childhood cancer and Latch’s vital bespoke support services in Wales.”
Latch’s services help ensure that no family in Wales faces a childhood cancer diagnosis alone.
More information about Latch and ways to support families affected by childhood cancer is available on their website.
A proposal for a new energy storage system (or “battery box”) is being considered by Vale of Glamorgan Council at Verge at Caerau Lane, by Port Lane, Wenvoe.
The application, lodged by AMP Clean Energy, reads: “By charging the Battery Box during periods of high renewable generation you charge up with low carbon energy.”
It continues: “When demand is high and renewable power is not otherwise available, rather than turn on a fossil fuel power plant, energy storage systems can export the stored energy. This reduces the amount of carbon used on our energy system.”
A battery box imports electricity from the local network when demand is low or when there are high levels of renewable energy available.
It then exports that electricity back to the grid when required during periods of high demand, this improves the flexibility of the grid.
Planning documents read: “For the avoidance of any doubt, each Battery Box connects directly to the local electricity network, from which it can import or export electricity. Battery Boxes do not directly connect to existing wind or solar farms.”
Urban, suburban and industrial areas consume large amounts of energy.
According to the applicant, large scale storage projects, solar farms and wind turbines are not suitable for these areas.
In contrast, battery boxes have a smaller footprint and connect into local low voltage networks, this makes them “uniquely suited to these areas”.
The applicant expects the average battery box to save 160 tonnes of carbon each year and 4,800 tonnes over its lifetime.
This includes “the carbon impact of constructing, shipping, installing, operating [and] decommissioning the site and recycling the equipment”.
The site is described as a “vacant grass verge situated within the adopted highway, situated next to existing electrical infrastructure along Caerau Lane” in planning documents.
The site was “carefully selected” for its “proximity to the local grid”, “unused grassland available”, “suitable flat land” and being “close to local electricity demand”.
Elaine Carmody, who has links to both Cardiff and Bristol, is being sought by South Wales Police.
The force is appealing to the public for help and has asked anyone with information on her whereabouts to get in touch.
Members of the public can contact police online or by calling 101, quoting reference 2500324696.
Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Andrew Green, author of “Cader Idris and the Artists,” will lead the event on June 3 from 6pm to 8pm, introducing his exploration of the mountain’s influence on visual artists.
The book, published by Graffeg, is the first to delve into the artistic portrayals of Cader Idris, spanning from the eighteenth century to today.
Green’s work presents the mountain as a consistent muse for artists like Richard Wilson, J.M.W. Turner, Cornelius Varley, John Sell Cotman, Kyffin Williams, and Bedwyr Williams, among others.
The publication features a wide selection of images, chronicling over 250 years of artistic inspiration drawn from the mountain.
Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a copy of the book during the event. However, organisers recommend pre-purchasing with a ticket to avoid disappointment.
The book will be available in both English and Welsh from May 28 at graffeg.com and in various bookshops.
Andrew Green, who served as the Librarian of the National Library of Wales from 1998 to 2013, has since become a successful author.
His past works include “Wales in 100 Objects,” which won the Non-fiction Welsh Book of the Year in 2019, and “Voices on the path: a History of Walking in Wales” (2024). He also regularly contributes to his online publication, gwallter.
The event promises to be a unique celebration of the enduring artistic legacy of Cader Idris, offering a fresh perspective on the mountain’s impact on the art world.
Kane Cook, aged 29, of Amherst Crescent, Barry was convicted of assaulting PC Patryk Juraszek and PC Joshua Rowlands on August 28 last year.
The offences occurred in Barry and Cardiff respectively.
At Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, Cook was fined £480 and ordered to pay £400 costs as well as £100 to each victim in compensation.
Heavy smoke was first reported in the area between around 1pm and 3pm yesterday (Tuesday, May 5).
Drivers were warned online to avoid the area, with congestion also visible on AA road maps.
The smoke was initially thought to be linked to a vehicle fire or something similar, but Barry and District News contacted South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and South Wales Police for comment.
At this stage, neither is aware of the cause or the incident itself.
One online user, RelaxingOtter1172, said: “Omg that’s right by the school! What’s happening??”
The smoke remains unexplained.
At a council meeting on April 23, councillors asked for this problem to be brought to the attention of senior police officers at South Wales Police.
The council wants the police to highlight the issue and make sure residents are aware of these scams.
The meeting was attended by councillors Richards, Birch, Buckley, Cook, Cox, Cuddy, McCaffer, Penn, Rabaiotti, Rochefort, Thomas, Weaver, and Wilson.
Also present were representatives from Penarth Youth Action (PYA) and South Wales Police, including three Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
Councillor Roberts sent apologies due to a family matter.
The group discussed various subjects, including the annual treasury management and investment strategy for the 2026/27 financial year. The plan received council approval.
PYA shared their annual report, noting the closure of their crime and safety survey.
Additionally, the PYA chair has been appointed the Vale of Glamorgan’s representative for the UK Youth Parliament.
The members praised this accomplishment.
PCSOs Short and Taylor provided an update on last month’s crime statistics.
They attributed a rise in shoplifting offences to one individual who has now been arrested.
They also assured the meeting that efforts to improve the handling of CCTV footage are ongoing, and speed scoping exercises will continue.
Councillor Wilson expressed his desire for more information to be provided on Fairtrade events.
Councillor Cuddy informed attendees of upcoming One Voice Wales events, encouraging members to see what they could get involved with.
The meeting closed with an agenda item request from Councillor Cox for the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Community Liaison Committee.
He requested that previous health board matters be revisited and assured the meeting he would work with the town clerk on the wording for July’s meeting request.
Emma Noake was determined to include her grandfather, George Lacey, in her wedding celebrations, even though he lives at Glenburnie Lodge Care Community in Wenvoe.
She said: “Me and my grandparents have always been really close, so the idea being that when I got married my grandfather would be the one walking me down the aisle.
“But as his dementia worsened and he moved to Glenburnie Lodge, it was clear this was not going to happen.”
Instead, she and her husband Lester brought the celebration to him on Saturday, April 25.
The couple had married the day before, and dressed once more in their wedding attire to share a reaffirmation of vows at the care home.
Staff and residents joined the family in a decorated room, with a ceremony, photographs in the garden, and a specially made two-tier wedding cake prepared by the home’s chef.
Ms Noake said: “It’s such a nice thought that they think so highly of my grandad and our family and what they did on the day was just phenomenal.
“For my family, it will forever be such a special memory and we are so grateful to everyone at the home.”
Her grandfather was able to walk with her during part of the ceremony.
Caroline Newman, Ms Noake’s mother, said: “A wedding is always an emotional time anyway but to have the wedding on Friday with Dad, our patriarch, not with us meant there was big hole missing.
“The memories that we have from this will just be etched on our hearts forever – it was phenomenal.”
Emma Watson, home director at Glenburnie Lodge, said: “We absolutely wanted to make it an occasion to remember.”
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