Desperation Leads to Tragedy

Michael Pasquet and his wife Andrée were found dead in their home in Cosnac, Corrèze, on recently. Michael (77) appears to have shot his wife with a rifle before turning it on himself. A note had been left on the kitchen table confirming the couple had both planned the events. Mme Pasquet was suffering from ill health which left her chair bound with the need for constant care provided by her husband. Mr Pasquet had just been diagnosed with cancer. Neighbours were shocked by the incident and told how the couple had been absolutely devoted to each other.

Motocyclists Killed in Cussac

A collision in Cussac, Haute Vienne, cost a motorcyclist his life recently. The accident happened just a few metres from his home in the La Fontanelle estate. Emergency services attended the scene but were unable to save the 57 year old’s life. An investigation in to the cause has been opened.

Road Opens

The stretch of the RN 141 dual carriageway between La Barre and Les Séguines was opened to traffic in mid-August. For the moment just one carriageway has been put in to service. Police say the partial opening could lead to traffic congestion until the end of October and suggest wide loads avoid the route if possible.

More Coverage for Creuse

The customers of 24 Creuse communes should see an improvement in their mobile phone reception from now on. The area concerned previously had little or no network coverage. The new initiative should bring about a dramatic improvement in network coverage. A joint project between the state and phone operators Bouygues, Orange and SFR made the initial decision in July 2003 that the residents of the area had a right to access mobile phone facilities and set about jointly installing the necessary infrastructure. The communes who should see an improvement in service include Tardes, La Villedieu, Champagnat, Fresselines, Chéniers, Mortroux, Saint-Moreil, Féniers, Saint-Domet, La Celle-Dunoise, Anzême, Saint-Priest, Peyrat-la-Nonière, Gioux, La Nouaille, Saint-Marc-à-Loubaud, Arfeuille- Châtain, Mainsat, Saint-Junien-la-Bregère, Chatelus-le-Marcheix, Mourioux- Vieilleville, Saint-Éloi, Saint-Agnatn-de- Versillat et enfin Saint-Germain-Beaupré.

Pool Alarms Unsafe Five out of the six swimming pool alarm systems previously approved by the state have been removed from sale. Luc Chantel, secretary of state for consumers, says the alarms do not provide sufficient protection to users to prevent potential drowning incidents. A decision has not been made as to what action, if any, will be taken to compensate people who have bought the systems that have now been removed from sale. The alarms no longer approved are - Aqualarm DET10 commercialisé par Nexatis - Sensor Premium commercialisé par MG International - Sécuripool commercialisé par Securipool International - Alpool- JB 2005 commercialisé par JR International et Alpotec - Poolguard PGRM-2E commercialisé par Energie engineering The only alarm still carrying state approval is l'Aquasensor Modèle Sensor Espio

Tourist Numbers Down

Morale is low across France as the world credit crisis continues to hit. Some of those worst affected businesses are in the tourist industry with figures for July showing a dramatic downturn on previous years. Christelle Forget, owner of an hotel and restaurant near Brive, says the restaurant’s takings are down 20% for July, with bookings for the accommodation showing a similar fall. The owner of another restaurant in the town blames a poor public transport infrastructure for the area, with people unable to afford petrol, they are choosing to stay at home. Even the larger hotel chains show a reduction in occupancy rates.

Jouac Vandal Caught

Since the beginning of August the commune of Jouac has suffered from a bout of vandalism. Planters have been moved to the middle of the road and thrown in to the river. Police staged surveillance and discovered the acts were being carried out by a 32 year old resident of the commune who was determined to express his dissatisfaction at the results of the local elections held earlier in the year.

Fugitive in Chateauponsac

Police called at an address in Chateauponsac early one morning in August to speak to the 23 year old resident in connection with an alleged incident. As the police arrived at the front door the man ran out of the back exit. Police called in dogs and a helicopter to help track the man down. A force of 20 additional officers joined in the search. The man was finally found around 3pm and placed in custody while further investigations are carried out.

Waistcoats & Warnings

Many of the region's retailers are struggling to keep up with the demand for hazard triangles and fluorescent waistcoats. A new law requires all vehicles to be equipped with at least one of each. A hypermarket in Limoges has sold 10,000 jackets and 5,000 triangles since the start of July with another selling out its entire stock of 10,000 jackets in just under two weeks. As demand has increased, so have many prices with the cost of jackets ranging from 3€ to 13.80€. The region’s police say the problems of supply means they will not begin a serious crackdown on motorists failing to carry the equipment until October. It is also worth noting that the jacket must be the bright yellow type, with orange jackets not meeting the requirements and the safety triangle must be able to withstand a wind of 50km/h. Fines for not carrying the equipment will be up to 135€.

Serious Summer Storms

Along with many other areas of France the Limousin was battered by storms early in August. In Creuse, where the meteo had issued an orange alert, there was extensive damage, although thankfully no fatalities. At around 4am lightning hit the electric box at a property in the commune of Betete causing it to burst in to flames. At Bussiere Madeleine the church clock tower took a direct hit. Around 3,500 lost their electricity supplies in the area between Gouzon and Châtelus Le Marcheix. Many trees were brought down in the storm notably in the Gentioux and St Georges La Pouges area. Corrèze got off a little more lightly but power supplies to over 3000 homes was lost. In the Haute Vienne the areas around St Yrieix La Perche, Nexon and Chateauneuf la Foret felt the full fury of the storms with much flooding being reported.