UNITED LEFT THE OVERALL WINNERS IN CASARES ELECTIONS

The United Left were the overall winners in the local elections in Casares last Sunday. The Izquierda Unida now has seven councillors, the Socialist Party has four, and the PP lost half their seats winning only two. 2,642 people cast their votes, or 62 per cent of the eligible voters, five per cent less than in 2011. In Secadero there was a much bigger turnout with over 85 per cent of the electorate coming out to vote, while in Casares itself almost 76 per cent turned out to vote. In Casares Costa apathy reigned with only 29 per cent casting their votes. The United Left won 1,292 votes or 49 per cent of the vote which gives them seven councillors. The Socialist Party got 820 or 32 per cent of the vote, doubling the number of councillors. The PP won 405 votes giving them two councillors but losing half their existing seats. The results showed that the Socialist Party were winners in Manilva where they have five councillors. Estepona remained a PP stronghold returning 17 councillors for the party, with the Socialist Party in second place with six councillors.

CASARES CELEBRATES THE VIRGEN DEL ROSARIO THIS WEEKEND

Casares is this weekend celebrating  the annual pilgrimage, or Romeria, to the Virgin of Rosario del Campo. Tonight for the first time is an event titled “Un Rosario de ilusiones” organised by the Hermandad and  local residents where poems will be read and the rosary recited. Tomorrow the Romeria begins with mass at 11 in the morning  and a religious act where people kiss the Virgin’s hands. Later tomorrow there will be other activities including fireworks and bell ringing and horse riders will receive the Virgin with flowers and offerings. The Romeria concludes  on Sunday with a celebration of the mass by local priest Jose Antonio Melgar who will receive the medal of the Casares Hermandad. The return of the Virgin to Casares will be at 7 o’ clock on Sunday evening.

SECOND FESTIVAL OF NEW ANDALUSIAN CINEMA NEXT MONTH

The second Festival of New Andalucian Cinema takes place in Casares from June 8th until 13th. The festival office will be located at the Blas Infante Cultural Centre where two photo exhibitions will also be held from the beginning of next month celebrating the work of Granada film maker Jose Val de Omar. The festival itself starts with screenings on Monday, June 8th. Each film will be introduced by a member of the film team and afterwards there will be a discussion. A script writing course will be held from June 8th to 10th hosted by Rafael Cobos, a well known scriptwriter on many films. There will be a free concert by actor and musician Pablo Carbonell on Friday, June 12th at Casares disco from 11.30 pm. The Festival concludes on Saturday, June 13th with a Gala performance introduced by scriptwriter Ester Lara and Santiago Ruiz. Prizes will be awarded for short films. The Festival is organised by the ayuntamiento and EcoTourCasares.

NEW STREETLIGHTS FOR MARINA DE CASARES

The northern area of Marina de Casares has new street lighting which is more reliable and cost effective. The 58 new streetlights have LED lights which the ayuntamiento has provided at a cost of 55,000 Euro. The councillor for the coast Antonia Pineda said that the new streetlights are energy saving and more secure. The installation of the new streetlights marks the completion of a project started several years ago to renovate all the public lighting in Marina de Casares.

The first meeting to decide on this year’s Blas Infante solidarity prizes will be held next Thursday.

This is the thirteenth year of the prizes which have a budget of 50,000 Euro. Residents will have a chance to get details of this year’s 39 projects on July 4th.

International news

The United States has called for the immediate rescue of thousands of migrants adrift in south east Asian seas after fleeing from Burma and Bangladesh. More than 3,000 migrants have already landed in Indonesia and Malaysia and it’s estimated that a further two and half thousand are still adrift in boats. The crisis erupted earlier this month after a crackdown by Thailand on people smuggling camps along its border with Malaysia.

In sports news:

World soccer has been rocked by the arrest of several FIFA officials this week as part of an international investigation into corruption in the sport’s governing body. Despite the arrests outgoing president Sepp Blatter has said he intends to stand for a fifth term. The vote will be held later today in Zurich where FIFA delegates are meeting. UEFA  and British Prime Minister David Cameron have already called for Blatter to stand down.

The weather for the weekend:

Tomorrow will be a very sunny day with temperatures reaching 28 and falling to 18 at night. Sunday will see lots more sunshine with a high of 27 and a low of 18.

MAYOR SIGNS INVESTMENT PLAN WORTH 230,000 EURO FOR CASARES

Mayor Antonia Morera yesterday signed an investment plan that will bring 230,000 Euro to Casares. She went to the Malaga Council to sign off on the plan. The budget will be divided between Casares, Secadero and Casares Costa. In Casares the money will finance new street sanitation. For Casares Costa the money will be used to repave the roadway at Bahia de Casares. And in Secadero the extra money will be used to modernise services on Calle Guadiaro.

CASARES POLICE CATCH MAN WITH STOLEN PROPERTY AT FINCA CORTESIN

Local police from Casares have apprehended a man with stolen property at Finca Cortesin.  The police officers were engaged in routine surveillance in the area when the suspect was seen throwing away objects into nearby bushes. The thief was arrested by police who then recovered a number of stolen items, including credit cards, mobile phones, and watches valued at over 15,000  Euro. The stolen items were later returned to their owners by hotel employees.

BIG TURNOUT FOR SECOND EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE AT BLAS INFANTE COLLEGE

More than 250 people took part in the second educational conference at Blas Infante college last Saturday. The conference was attended by students, family members, teachers and educational volunteers. There was an activity programme with a sports instructor for the children to keep them busy during the day, while parents and teachers took part in discussions  which covered topics such as intelligence and educational interaction. Workshops were also held to decide on the composition of working groups for the next academic year composed of teachers, parents and students to set the agenda. The day was organised by the ayuntamiento along with the Mothers and Fathers Association and the school. Councillor Pedro Gonzalez was honoured for his 16 years contribution as education councillor which he is leaving this year.

FOURTEEN STUDENTS FROM CASARES DANCE SCHOOL PASS THEIR EXAMS WITH GOOD RESULTS

Fourteen students from the Casares Dance School passed the Dancing Society exams with flying colours this week. Thirteen girls and one boy from Casares and Secadero passed the flamenco exams of the Spanish Dancing Society with no grade below a B. The Dance School director Juana Maria Gil praised the students and said their good marks complemented their general education. The Culture Council has awarded two scholarships to schools in Casares and Secadero in recognition of the students achievements.

The deadline for applications for the 20 per cent IBI reduction ends in Casares tomorrow.

The municipal offices will be open in the afternoon in  Casares, Casares Costa and Secadero to allow residents to submit their applications. Last year the IBI subsidy was worth over 155.000 Euro.

International news :

Nepal suffered a second major earthquake in less than three weeks. leaving a trail of death and destruction. 80 people died and over 2,000 were injured in the latest tremor which follows a similar earthquake earlier this month in which more than 8,000 people died and 20,000 were injured.

In sports news:

One Spanish team has made it though to the Champions League final when Barcelona won 5 - 3 on aggregate after Tuesday’s game against Bayern Munich. Real Madrid however crashed out of the championship with a one all draw against Juventus which left the Italian team 3 - 2 winners on aggregate. The final will be held in Berlin on June 6th.

The weather for the weekend:

Tomorrow will be a sunny and warm day with a high of 25 and a low of 17 at night, while Sunday will again be a pleasant sunny day with a high of 25 dropping to 18.

UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS AGAIN IN CASARES IN APRIL

Unemployment has dropped in Casares for another successive month. The figures for April show that 24 less people were signing on the dole in April, with a total of 453 unemployed. This is the best jobless figure for April since 2011 and the lowest jobless figure since September 2013. The number out of work in Estepona also fell in April by 218, with 6788 people on the dole. The good news continued in Manilva where there were 1322 people out of work, a drop of 39. The overall trend in unemployment throughout Malaga has been dropping with 3446 less people on the dole, but the total jobless figure for the province stands at over 188,000

DEADLINE FOR IBI GRANT APPLICATIONS IS APPROACHING

The deadline for applications for this year’s IBI subsidy is May 16th. This is the second year that the ayuntamiento has subsidised IBI payments for residents and businesses. Applicants must furnish a copy of their last IBI receipt and proof of identity. The Ayuntamiento  has scheduled special opening hours at local offices to allow applications to be made. These are from 8 o’ clock in the morning until 3 in the afternoon and from 4.30 to 7.30 pm on Monday to Friday and from 10 until 2 on Saturday. Applicants must ensure that they have no money owing to the ayuntamiento and provide proof of residency. Last year almost 155,000 Euro was given in IBI subsidies and 1,455 families benefited with an average saving of 106 Euro for every IBI bill.

CASARES HOSTS THE SECOND EDUCATION CONFERENCE TOMORROW

Casares is hosting the second education conference at the Blas Infante college tomorrow. The conference is being organised by the Association of Parents and Students in conjunction with the town’s education department and the school. The conference will allow discussion of issues relating to education and will also provide an opportunity for parents to meet with teachers. The specific issue for this conference will be emotional intelligence and the necessary educational tools for communicating with children. The conference will feature workshops, and discussion groups and will run from 10.30 in the morning until 7 in the evening with lunch included.

DAMP PROBLEMS IN HOUSES AROUND THE CASARES CASTLE TO BE ADDRESSED

A plumbing problem in one house in the area surrounding the Castle in Casares has caused major damp problems for residents there. Following a visit by councillor Pepe Carrasco and municipal staff to the damaged area this week, technicians from the Junta de Andalusia have examined the scene. They said that the damp in several houses was caused by a leak in one house which spread. They said that once the leak has been repaired the dampness will disappear. The Andalucian Housing Agency promised 165,000 Euro last December to repair homes but this money was suspended following a change in the agency’s leadership. Mayor Antonia Morera has requested a meeting with the new boss of the agency.

More than a thousand people took part in a May Day rally in Malaga which had a strong political theme.

Trade unionists and political activists from left wing parties joined the demonstration which marched to Constitution Square where they heard speeches from trade union leaders.

International news

Over six and a half thousand migrants were rescued off the coast of Italy this week as Europe prepares to deal with an unprecedented flow of thousands of illegal migrants from Libya this summer. The Italian coastguard and navy took part in the rescue operation in the Mediterranean and ten bodies were also recovered. The mass rescue came just two weeks after almost 900 people drowned while trying to reach Europe.

In sports news

In the first legs of the Champions League semi finals Barcelona secured dramatic three nil defeat over Bayern Munich with star player Lionel Messi scoring two goals in the final quarter of the match. The Spanish side appear unstoppable in their race for the final. Real Madrid was beaten 2 - 1 by Juventus in the other semi final game.

And the weather for the weekend

It’s going to be a very hot and sunny weekend with temperatures reaching a high of 28 tomorrow and dropping to 19 at night. Sunday will be another sunny day with a high of27 and a low of 19. Enjoy!