Efforts to recalibrate the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) into a more selective and cohesive ‘Wassenaar minus one’ coalition—potentially excluding Russia—reflect the growing need for the United States
and technology firms to find common ground on export control measures
individual Wassenaar member states began implementing their own controls on critical technologies outside the WA
This is the early step toward a new regime
translating this idea into an actual regime requires strategic alignment
Eleven like-minded countries—nine in Europe, plus Japan and Australia—have already implemented or announced similar export controls for certain emerging technologies, like quantum computing or semiconductors. These countries are eligible for licenses covering 24 controlled technologies
although not every country is eligible for each technology
This is BIS’s first step toward building and recognizing ad hoc agreements with like-minded nations on advanced technologies
potentially laying the foundation for a new approach to multilateral controls
Q2: What progress has been made toward a “Wassenaar minus one” strategy since January 2024
A2: The debate began in earnest at the January 2024 U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting, where the United States and the European Union discussed proceeding with a “Wassenaar minus one,” either by excluding Russia from the WA or continuing without Russian involvement
it is clear that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
as well as the fast-paced technology environment
will have important ramifications for the future of export controls.
These are the principles that would align with the Wassenaar framework if it were “active.”
This would allow member states to introduce export controls independently of the Wassenaar regime while still aligning with the “commitments accepted by member states in multilateral export control regimes.”
The European Commission’s vice president, Valdis Dombrovskis, stressed the urgency of moving closer toward “one set of uniform EU controls.” He argued that a single export control list
would minimize “loopholes” within the current systems
he explained that “in [the European] internal market where goods controlled in one Member State can freely be transferred to others where they may not be adequately controlled and subsequently exported.”
Japan has also expressed concerns about the future of export control regimes. On April 24, 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) released an interim report calling for a major overview of Japan’s export control system
“The export control framework is at a turning point,” reflecting the dysfunction of the Wassenaar and growing risks of sensitive technologies spreading beyond its framework
METI proposed strengthening “catch-all” controls for conventional weapons
and setting clearer “Red Flags” for high-risk transactions
It also emphasized potential cooperation on export controls with non-member nations like Singapore
Meanwhile, the private sector has also supported the European Commission’s proposal for a new EU forum focused on the “political coordination” of export controls. Digital Europe
which represents the European tech industry
has called dedicated expert groups to facilitate discussions on individual critical technologies and suggested coordination with the United States to “avoid unilateral restrictions.”
will be a critical test of whether it can adapt to these dynamics or continue to be constrained by internal divisions
Q3: What are the challenges for the “Wassenaar minus one” strategy
A3: The “Wassenaar minus one” strategy presents three possible alternatives: expelling Russia
or maintaining the status quo but also expanding licenses with like-minded nations that have similar controls
attempts to expel nations from multilateral frameworks have been rare
Venezuela’s indefinite suspension from Mercosur in 2016 over human rights violations is one of the few examples
Including additional countries or adopting a plurilateral format may raise interaction costs
but it could ensure export controls are balanced and do not disproportionately benefit U.S
Q4: What are potential alternatives to “WA minus one or more”
A4: The United States and its allies have embraced a mix of plurilateral export control initiatives, including coalitions targeting Russia and Belarus, frameworks like AUKUS and TTC, and the Export Controls and Human Rights Initiative. However, experts view the licensing system
which integrates exceptions for equivalent controls
This approach is considered a more flexible and diplomatic alternative to traditional multilateral frameworks
with the current system functioning as a de facto multilateral regime
The new license exception is not without its limitations. Its effectiveness depends on how accurately the United States and its partners assess the landscape of companies engaged in critical technologies. As experts warned
there is a risk of excluding key players or letting sensitive technologies advance outside control frameworks
this licensing tool could set a precedent for future rulemaking
as seen with the expanded use of the foreign direct product rule on Huawei
If partner countries don’t adopt equivalent controls
the United States may revert to unilateral “long-arm” measures
In the longer term, experts suggest creating mini-regimes similar to the G7
including key technology players such as South Korea
Smaller coalitions are often seen as more effective for sharing information and timely decisions
and the Quad are too narrow to address broader critical technologies
Altynay Junusova is a research intern with the Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington
William Alan Reinsch holds the Scholl Chair in International Business at CSIS
Critical Questions is produced by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
tax-exempt institution focusing on international public policy issues
Its research is nonpartisan and nonproprietary
CSIS does not take specific policy positions
and conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s)
© 2024 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies
See Media Page for more interview
©2025 Center for Strategic & International Studies
An Arizona inmate currently serving 16 life sentences is now being accused of killing three inmates last week
Corrections officials identified Ricky Wassenaar as the "sole suspect" in the deaths of three inmates on Friday morning after “an altercation” inside a prison in Tucson, Arizona, according to a news release
Officials identified the three now-deceased inmates as Saul Alvarez
The causes of the inmate's deaths were not released as officials said an investigation is currently ongoing
Alvarez was incarcerated for first-degree murder
while Lashly and Harnage were both serving time for child sex offenses
“Preliminary reports suggest that inmate Wassenaar acted with intent to harm the three men named above
There is no evidence to suggest any ongoing threat,” officials said in the news release
Why is Wassenaar in prison?A man with an extensive criminal record dating back to 1986
Wassenaar is currently serving 16 life sentences in connection to a 2004 attempted prison escape with another inmate
The two men took two prison guards captive in what would become one of the longest prison standoffs in the history of the United States
Wassenaar was serving a 28-year prison sentence he was handed in 1997 for eight counts of aggravated assault and one count of armed robbery
all of which he committed while under house arrest for another crime he was convicted of back in 1986
Records from the Arizona Department of Corrections show that Wassenaar has committed multiple violations while in prison
Wassenaar violated disciplinary rules at least 27 times while incarcerated before the incident late last week
attempted to escape the Lewis Prison complex in Buckeye
both men tried to escape by going through the prison's kitchen
before leaving through the administration building
"I've got nothing to lose, and this is an escape," Wassenaar reportedly told an officer, according to Arizona Republic archives
In the early morning hours when inexperienced corrections officers were on duty
assaulting and tying up two workers while en route to the tower
They made it to the watchtower but were trapped as several officers surrounded it
The pair took two correctional officers hostage, one of whom was a mother. Both men sexually assaulted her on the first day. The other officer suffered head injuries, according to Arizona Republic archives
Wassenaar surrendered after being promised a transfer to the Midwest and Coy also gave himself up
Wassenaar was convicted in 2005 on 19 charges
sexual assault and first-degree escape for his involvement in the 2004 hostage situation
Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_
A man with a history of violence was named the sole suspect in a Tucson prison fight that left three dead
Rehabilitation & Reentry said the suspect was Ricky Wassenaar
a man who led an attempted prison escape in 2004
Wassenaar was serving time for armed robbery and aggravated assault
He was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the escape attempt
The 2025 prison fight was the latest in a string of offenses during his time in prison
Wassenaar violated disciplinary rules at least 27 times while in prison
the most recent in 2021 for false reporting and obstructing staff
according to Department of Corrections records
According to the Department of Corrections, an "altercation" on April 4 at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson resulted in the death of three inmates: Saul Alvarez
A preliminary investigation indicated that Wassenaar is suspected of acting "with intent to harm" the victims
but a motive was not immediately identified
whereas Harnage and Lashley were killed in a fight with Wassenaar near the dining area
The department's Office of the Inspector General and the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner began a criminal investigation into the April prison fight
Causes and manners of death were not provided
Further details were unavailable as the Department of Corrections cited an ongoing investigation
but said more details would be provided as they became available
The fight occurred within the Cimarron unit at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson
the largest within Arizona's state prison system
The Department of Corrections said there was no ongoing threat
Wassenaar was moved to the Eyman complex in Florence on April 4
The department stated that Alvarez was serving a sentence for first-degree murder
Harnage was convicted in 2024 in Pima County for sexual conduct with a minor
for sexual misconduct with a minor and child molestation
What was Wassenaar in prison for?Wassenaar has a lengthy criminal record
He was charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault
Wassenaar was placed on house arrest in 1996
He went on to be convicted of eight counts of aggravated assault and one count of armed robbery in 1997
A 2004 attempted prison escape landed him 16 life sentences
After four years in the Lewis Prison complex in Buckeye
Wassenaar attempted to escape with his cellmate
They plotted to escape from the kitchen to an arsenal tower and through the administration building
and this is an escape," Wassenaar reportedly told an officer at the beginning of what became a 15-day hostage situation rather than his prison escape
The Arizona Republic detailed his and Coy's attempted escape in 2004
In the early morning hours when newbie officers were on duty
They made it to the watchtower but were trapped as more and more officers surrounded it
The pair took two correctional officers hostage
Both sexually assaulted her on the first day
Wassenaar surrendered after being promised a transfer to the Midwest
Coy was serving a life sentence for two counts of armed robbery and aggravated assault at the time of the attempted escape
along with a slew of other sentences for previous offenses
Wassenaar added 16 life sentences to his prior 28-year sentence and was returned to Arizona in 2018
(This story has been updated to add more information.)
Home > News > US
allies explore Russia’s exclusion from Wassenaar export control regime
That is amid growing frustration with the export control regime’s effectiveness
according to an analysis by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (‘CSIS’) published November 25
Discussions began at January’s US-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting
where officials debated either ‘excluding Russia from the WA or continuing without Russian involvement’ following its invasion of Ukraine
The current 42-member Wassenaar regime faces critical limitations
including ‘its slow decision making process (requiring unanimity from all members)
the lack of strategic measures (with only one plenary meeting per year)
and the expulsion mechanism to remove Russia have resulted in protracted delays,’ the report notes
expelling Russia presents significant challenges
‘Russia itself would not vote for its own removal nor exit the WA
Russia continues to view the WA as a means to maintain its international status
“ensure that the WA is not directed against it,” and veto any proposals that could “harm its economic or security interests,”‘ according to the analysis
some like-minded countries have begun implementing parallel export controls outside the Wassenaar framework
particularly on emerging technologies like quantum computing and semiconductors
The European Commission is also considering a new legal framework that would allow EU states to adopt controls even if vetoed by Russia
https://www.csis.org/analysis/rethinking-wassenaar-minus-one-strategy
We are delighted to announce that WorldECR is now part of Dow Jones Risk & Compliance
By combining WorldECR’s in-depth reporting and insight with Dow Jones’s industry-leading news
we can help trade compliance practitioners and their advisors better navigate the increasingly complex trade compliance landscape
To learn more about WorldECR and Dow Jones Risk & Compliance please see the announcement
Find out more
Find out more
Export Compliance Manager tackles the issues and challenges that keep trade compliance professionals awake at night… with insight and with solutions
You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/
Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInTUCSON
(13 News) - An infamous prisoner serving 16 life sentences is accused of killing at least three inmates at the Arizona State Prison Cimmaron Unit in Tucson on Friday
Rehabilitation & Reentry confirmed that Ricky Wassenaar killed Saul Alvarez
Alvarez was serving a sentence for a Maricopa County murder
Harnage was convicted in Pima County of sexual conduct with a minor
and Lashley was serving a sentence for a Pima County child molestation case
Wassenaar is serving 16 life sentences for his role in a prison standoff in Arizona years ago.
Wassenaar and Steven Coy were convicted of taking two guards, one man and one woman, hostage for 15 days at the Arizona State Prison Lewis Complex in Buckeye in 2004. Lois Fraley, one of those guards, said she was raped several times.
Wassenaar allegedly used a kitchen guard’s uniform to trick another guard into letting him into a prison watchtower. He got the uniform by overpowering an officer with a handmade weapon.
The ensuing stand-off was one of the longest prison hostage situations in U.S
Wassenaar and Coy both had violent backgrounds, including crimes in the Tucson area, before the standoff.
Wassenaar was already serving a sentence for armed robbery and assault before the standoff
Coy was sentenced to life in prison in 1993 for kidnapping
sexual abuse and aggravated assault following a robbery in which he raped a woman
He had a long criminal record and has been in and out of prison since 1984
Coy was given seven life sentences for his role in the hostage standoff
Wassenaar was moved to a prison in Florence following the incident Friday
Coy happens to be currently in a state prison in Florence
The criminal investigation in the Friday homicides is ongoing
and the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office will do the autopsies
All visitations at the prison were postponed Friday and there was no word on when they would resume
Be sure to subscribe to the 13 News YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@13newskold
Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information
Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information
Partner and Head of Sustainability and Infrastructure at Apollo
discusses the opportunity for private capital and investment with Germany's infrastructure and defense spending plan
She speaks to Bloomberg's Anna Edwards and Guy Johnson on 'The Opening Trade.' (Source: Bloomberg)
One of Arizona’s most notorious prisoners was able to kill three fellow inmates last week because of significant security failures and missed warning signs
according to a union leader and an advocate
Ricky Wassenaar is the “sole suspect” in the April 4
according to a statement from the Arizona Department of Corrections
Wassenaar is infamous for his role in a 2004 hostage crisis that lasted two weeks
“This guy is like a Hannibal Lector,” said Carlos Garcia
who heads the Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association
“This guy means business as you see with three bodies
He should have been locked down since 2004.”
A well-known advocate for prisoners also told ABC15 that Wassenar confessed to killing his cellmate in November last year
“This is the most unusual call I’ve gotten in 40 years of advocacy
The inmate confessed to murder,” Middle Ground Prison Reform Executive Director Donna Hamm said
Inside the Cimarron Unit of the Tucson prison
Wassenaar is accused of killing inmates Saul Alvarez
Alvarez was previously convicted of murder
and Harnage and Lashley were both found guilty of child sex crimes
Garcia said the latter pair and Wassenaar should not have been in the general population
The union leader added that Wassenaar had repeatedly warned prison officials not to place him with a cellmate or place him around other inmates
“They played chicken with the wrong inmate,” he said
According to the corrections department’s statement
“preliminary reports suggest Wassenaar acted with intent to harm (the victims).”
Garcia said that Wassenaar was on an “override”
meaning his security classification had been lowered
Online inmate records show his classification had been reduced from “maximum security” to “close custody” in December 2024
Wassenaar has long been classified as a maximum-security risk
In 2004, he was involved in the longest prison hostage crisis in the nation’s history
Wassenaar and another inmate were able to get into a prison control tower and take two officers hostage
The men also sexually assaulted one of the officers during the two-week standoff
As part of a negotiation to release the hostages
state officials agreed to transfer Wassenaar to a prison in Wisconsin
Wassenaar was eventually returned to Arizona
ABC15 is committed to finding the answers you need and holding those accountable
Submit your news tip to Investigators@abc15.com
Hamm told ABC15 Wassenaar told her he strangled his cellmate
saying the medical examiner found no injuries to the body consistent with trauma
Hamm said she was skeptical about Wassenaar’s claim initially and suspected there may be mental health issues
but became convinced as he adamantly repeated his claims
Hamm said Wassenaar became frustrated he had not been charged in the death of Desisto
Hamm passed her concerns along to the Department of Corrections and encouraged them not to house Wassenaar in a cell with anyone else
ABC15 took questions to the Department of Corrections Monday and received the following written response:
inmate Ricky Wassenaar remains the sole suspect in the deaths of three inmates at the ASPC-Tucson
While the matter continues to be under investigation
the ADCRR provides additional information about the events leading to the deaths of inmates Saul Alvarez
staff at the Cimarron Unit of ASPC-Tucson initiated an incident response due to an altercation between inmates near the dining area
and medical staff appeared onsite shortly thereafter
establishing order and beginning life-saving measures to Donald Lashley
Inmate Wassenaar was taken into custody without further incident
he was transported to ASPC-Eyman’s maximum custody housing unit
housing unit staff discovered inmate Saul Alvarez
in his cell with injuries and began life-saving measures
Further details about Friday’s incident are not available at this time as the investigation remains active
ADCRR will also provide further historical background about inmate Wassenaar’s time with the ADCRR
following convictions for his involvement in a significant hostage situation
inmate Wassenaar was transferred out of Arizona and moved between several other state DOCs before returning to ADCRR in May 2018
where he was housed as a maximum custody inmate
inmate Wassenaar’s custody level was reduced from maximum to close custody
as he had been behaviorally compliant since his return to Arizona in 2018
inmate Wassenaar was informed and agreed that he would receive a cellmate
The ADCRR has no reason to believe that inmate Wassenaar had any involvement in the death of his cellmate
inmate Wassenaar sought emergency medical attention for inmate Desisto
The Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner (ME) reported to ADCRR that the death of inmate Desisto was due to the presence of natural causes due to several underlying health conditions
the ME noted that there were no injuries to the body consistent with trauma
including the method of death that inmate Wassenaar claimed to have used
Given this official information from the ME and ADCRR’s investigation indicating the absence of any information demonstrating otherwise
the ADCRR treated and classified Wassenaar according to policy
Any claims that staffing levels at ASPC-Tucson on Friday
Staff responded with the necessary personnel to assist with the situation quickly and properly
and took inmate Wassenaar into custody without further incident
Director Thornell’s comment: “What happened at the Cimarron Unit last Friday was nothing short of a tragedy
The ADCRR team works tirelessly every day to put policies
practices and services in place to mitigate threats of violence and to provide an environment where appropriate interaction and rehabilitation are the expectation
what occurred last week was a senseless act by one person who appeared to be solely focused on seeking harm to these specific individuals without any prior warning
and we will continue to investigate it and hold inmate Wassenaar accountable to the fullest extent of the law
I am proud of the quick response by the staff at ASPC-Tucson that morning
quickly subduing the situation and ensuring no other inmates were seriously injured as bystanders in the immediate aftermath.”
Report a typo
HOLLAND — Herrick District Library has announced its second Maker in Residence as Visiting Grand Valley State University Professor and Civic Engagement Artist Sara Alsum-Wassenaar
Alsum-Wassenaar plans to teach visitors using geodesic structures
including drop-in sessions open to the public from 10 a.m.-12 p.m
families will "explore the beauty and strength of geodesic domes" during "Geodome Structures: A Family Engineering Adventure." Participants will learn the principles of geometry
“The overarching umbrella of my work is space and community,” Alsum-Wassenaar wrote in a release
“There’s a lot of different things I do to get at that — how space gets used and how the community interacts with and uses that space.”
There will also be two hands-on workshops designed for all ages
Local artist Joel Schoon-Tanis was the first artist in the series
showcasing the talents that led to his work being placed on display in Kenya
Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage
The library currently seeking other West Michigan creatives for summer and fall
To register for the hands-on workshops, or for more information, visit herrickdl.org
— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com
About Akin
Leadership
Client Value
Awards & Accolades
All Locations
Boston
Dallas
Fort Worth
Houston
Irvine
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia
San Antonio
San Francisco
Washington, D.C.
Hong Kong
Singapore
Geneva
London
Abu Dhabi
Dubai
On 11 March 2025, the Department for Business and Trade through the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU), issued a notice to exporters providing advance notice of updates to the UK Strategic Export Control Lists
which are expected to be implemented in Spring 2025
The Strategic Export Control Lists specify goods
software and technology that are subject to export controls because of their potential dual-use and military capabilities
The items listed in the Strategic Export Control Lists reflect changes agreed pursuant to international frameworks to which the UK is a member
such as the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group
Controls discussed and agreed under these international frameworks typically signal the types of concerns that are top of mind for countries
have implemented amendments to tighten controls on semiconductors
advanced computing and quantum technologies – amongst other items
have been linked to a growing concern around China’s access to such technologies as part of its military modernization and the growing use of export controls as a tool to protect national security
The amendments previewed in the ECJU’s latest notice to exporters include the following key changes:
The incoming amendments signal that controls on semiconductor related items and emerging technologies continue to be a priority for the UK
While certain of these changes have been agreed under international frameworks
the Wassenaar Arrangement) are experiencing growing disfunction
Russia is a core member of most of the multilateral review systems around which the UK
and other countries have built their export control system
The consensus-based approach of the regimes requires that all members agree to any change
since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022
Russia has consistently vetoed additions to the control list at the multilateral level
Due to this absence of coordination among members
and other partner countries (the so-called “Wassenaar Minus One” group) have started to develop harmonized controls that previously would have been agreed under the Wassenaar Arrangement
Although the existing multilateral regimes do not contemplate or account for any type of country-specific strategic controls
with the Wassenaar Arrangement procedures in standstill (and expelling Russia posing significant challenges)
we expect that we will continue to see the proliferation of national export controls
either by unilateral and national action or in other multilateral formats (e.g.
Accordingly, we are increasingly seeing countries implement their own national controls either independently or where such controls are agreed amongst a collection of like-minded countries
In April 2024 we saw the UK (along with a group of like-minded countries) adopt amendments to the Export Control Order 2008 to implement additional controls on emerging technologies
including the introduction of three new entries: PL9013 (semiconductor technologies
PL9014 (quantum computing technologies) and PL9015 (additive manufacturing technologies)
While we are seeing individual countries unilaterally adopt export controls as a result of paralysis of the Wassenaar Arrangement, this does not necessarily translate into divergence or fragmentation of export controls. Rather, it appears that like-minded countries are trying to move in tandem by implementing national controls on emerging technologies.
Jasper Helder
Send Email
View Biography
Chiara Klaui
Send Email
View Biography
Ross Denton
Send Email
View Biography
Stefan Tsakanakis
Send Email
View Biography
Imogen Brooks
Send Email
View Biography
James Matson
Send Email
View Biography
Simi Malhi
Send Email
View Biography
Charlotte Ezaz
Send Email
View Biography
Oliver Haynes
Send Email
View Biography
© 2025 Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
TUCSON, AZ — On Monday, Senator Kevin Payne sent a letter to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry requesting a timeline of events, reports, policy changes, and staffing levels after Ricky Wassenaar killed three fellow inmates in Tucson
ABC15 highlighted the investigation as Arizona Department of Corrections officials say Wassenaar is the "sole suspect" in the April 4
Officials say a preliminary report suggests Wassenaar acted with intent to harm the three men
and further details of the killings haven't been released
Payne's letter to ADCRR Director Ryan Thornell:
In 2005, Wassenaar was convicted on 19 charges, including kidnapping, dangerous or deadly assault by prisoner, aggravated assault, sexual assault, and first-degree escape for his involvement in the 2004 hostage situation at the ASPC-Lewis
saying he is worried for the safety of inmates and their loved ones
because some safety protocols we’ve put in the past are not being followed
To see something like this take place - three different murders in a 24-hour period - that’s not acceptable,” said Sen
Watch the player above on what changes lawmakers are looking to change
The names of the three inmates killed in an April 4 prison fight in Tucson have been released
along with the identity of the suspected attacker — a prisoner with a history of violence while in custody
According to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry, Ricky Wassenaar has been identified as the sole suspect in the fatal altercation that claimed the lives of Saul Alvarez
A preliminary ADCRR investigation noted Wassenaar "acted with intent to harm" the victims
Prison officials noted the incident appeared isolated as there were no further threats
Crime: 3 arrested in connection with deadly assault on Sacaton woman, police say
The Department of Corrections stated that Saul Alvarez was serving a sentence for first-degree murder
Thorne Harnage was convicted in 2024 in Pima County for sexual conduct with a minor
while Donald Lashley was sentenced in 2023
has a lengthy criminal history with 19 prior convictions
and assault with a deadly weapon while in prison
In 2004, Wassenaar was involved in a 15-day hostage situation at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis in Buckeye
Following a botched escape attempt, Wassenaar and another inmate, Steven Coy, took two hostages in a prison watch tower before surrendering to law enforcement
Both inmates sexually assaulted one of the hostages, corrections officer Lois Fraley
Wassenaar is serving 16 life sentences as a result of the 2004 incident
ADCRR's Office of the Inspector General and the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner began a criminal investigation into the April prison fight
Further details were unavailable as the ADCRR cited an ongoing investigation
ABC15 reported that in November 2020
a corrections officer in the same Tucson prison's Cimmaron unit was assaulted by numerous inmates for about two minutes
The Tucson Complex was the largest within the ADCRR
ARIZONA POLITICS NEWS
BY KEVIN STONE
PHOENIX – An Arizona Senate committee is launching an investigation into the state corrections department after an inmate allegedly killed three other men in prison earlier this month
Ricky Wassenaar is the lone suspect in the April 4 deaths of Saul Alvarez, Thorne Harnage and Donald Lashley at Arizona State Prison Complex-Tucson, according to the Arizona Department of Corrections
Wassenaar is serving multiple life sentences and has a long history of violence. For example, he was convicted on 19 charges for his involvement in a 2004 hostage situation while he was incarcerated at the Lewis prison in Buckeye. That incident is known as the longest prison hostage standoff in U.S
As part of the Arizona Senate investigation, Payne requested information in a letter sent to ADCRR Director Ryan Thornhill
“I find it incredibly disturbing an inmate with this history was not in maximum custody and had less restrictive access to correctional officers and other inmates,” wrote Payne
requested a timeline of the events leading up the inmate murders
information about staffing and additional details about Wassenaar’s time in prison
The West Valley Republican also asked for a list of all policy changes implemented during Thornhill’s tenure
ADCRR announced a series of actions designed to curtail inmate violence within its high-risk close custody units
“The actions being taken in these close custody units will ensure the personal safety of staff and inmates,” Thornhill said in a press release
“We will not allow continued negative behavior to disrupt our orderly operations or jeopardize the security of our institutions.”
Visitation at certain units was closed indefinitely while the new procedures were being implemented
Payne called what happened in Tucson “inexcusable and incredibly troubling.”
“Director Thornell has some explaining to do
and the more time that passes by before we can determine the missteps that lead to these murders
the longer our law enforcement will be in danger of losing their own lives at the hands of inmates,” he said
Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here
Earlier this month, ABC15 reported on inmate Ricky Wassenaar being the sole suspect in the killing of three inmates at an Arizona Department of Corrections (ADCRR) prison in Tucson
ABC15 has learned two more inmates died this week and their deaths are being investigated as potential homicides
On Tuesday, ADCRR announced 36-year-old Daniel Montoya had died while living in Lewis Prison
“They explained to [his mom] that he was stabbed and succumbed to his injuries,” his wife
and he didn't deserve this… a lot of them are in there changing for the better so that they can go home to their families
because someone decided to selfishly take his life.”
Then on Wednesday, ADCRR announced the death investigation of 40-year-old Jesse Alejandro
who is the executive director of the Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association
told ABC15 an “override” inmate stabbed Alejandro
“This override program where you take an inmate that's top tier
and shove him in a prison where he doesn't belong,” Garcia said
Those numbers count Wassenaar’s alleged victims in April
but do not count 81-year-old Joseph Desisto
Wassenaar told officials and advocates he killed Desisto
the Department has no reason to believe that inmate Wassenaar had any involvement in the death of his cellmate
The Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner (ME) report detailed inmate Desisto’s significant medical issues and noted that there were no injuries to the body consistent with trauma
the ADCRR treated and classified the death as one occurring from natural causes.”
The autopsy report for Desisto noted there were no obvious signs of strangulation on the 81-year-old but ruled the cause of death was “undetermined.”
“They didn't have a definitive cause of death,” said former Maricopa County Medical Examiner Dr
“Does it mean that none of those other things happened
It's just that they didn't see any evidence of it
There's still the possibility this man may have suffocated.”
Three inmates were killed in an "altercation" on Friday morning at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson
Ricky Wassenaar — serving 16 life sentences for a 2004 standoff at Buckeye prison — had just been moved to the unit that day
Killed on Friday were inmates Saul Alvarez
who had already served time for a 1987 armed robbery and was sentenced to multiple 20 and 28-year terms for aggravated assault in 1997
attempted to break out of ASPC-Lewis in Buckeye
He and fellow inmate Stephen Coy held two guards hostage in a watchtower for more than two weeks
Wassenaar was sentenced to 16 terms of 25 years to life behind bars
who was serving time for armed robbery and sexual assault after previous stints in prison
was also sentenced to multiple life terms for the 2004 failed prison break
Wassenaar had just been moved to the Cimarron Unit of the state prison in Tucson on Friday
he was moved to the Browning Unit of the prison complex in Florence — a high security wing that houses one of Arizona's death row units
Saul Alvarez was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder in a 1997 killing
serving a sentence of 35 to life for the 2016 crime
Donald Lashley was sentenced in 2023 by a Pima County Superior Court judge to 35 to life
for multiple counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and child molestation over nearly a decade
"There is no continued ongoing threat," officials with the Arizona Department of Corrections
Rehabilitation & Reentry said in an afternoon confirmation of the fatal incident
The department "takes situations involving violence seriously and will pursue prosecution against any suspects believed to be involved in the case," they said
The corrections department Office of the Inspector General "has begun an initial criminal investigation related to the inmates' deaths
All inmate deaths are investigated in consultation with the county Medical Examiner’s Office," they said
Visitation at the complex was canceled Friday because of the incident
The prison on South Wilmot Road has a capacity of more than 5,400 inmates in its eight separated units
four other inmates have died by homicide in Arizona state prisons since the beginning of the fiscal year in July
with three dying at the hands of another in FY 2023
the Tucson Sentinel publishes our stories without a paywall
We believe a healthy community depends on everyone having access to quality independent journalism
we're committed to providing real reporting to all Southern Arizona residents
A single story can cost us thousands of dollars to report – some take months & months of dogged digging
others require paying for tall stacks of records that officials don't want to provide
Some mean driving to remote corners of Pima County
& some see our reporters sitting through endless government meetings to make sure they get the whole story & not just a quick headline
Our award-winning newsroom has some of the best reporters
and we're dedicated to getting the story right
Our pioneering effort (we were one of the very first local nonprofit news outlets in the entire country) to rebuild local journalism will only work if enough people join our Watchdog Club community of paying members
Please join today for as little as $15/month
For those who can't afford to contribute right now, please sign up for our free Watchdog Update newsletters
& help the spread word about the Sentinel to your friends
Your contributions help the Sentinel sustain & grow our nonprofit newsroom & bolster our commitment to delivering the important independent news our community needs to thrive
The Tucson Sentinel is published by Tucson Investigative Reporting Center Inc.
we're committed to providing real reporting to everyone in Southern Arizona
But a single story can cost us thousands of dollars to report – some take months and months of dogged digging
and some see our reporters sitting through endless government meetings to make sure they get the whole story and not just a quick headline
Our pioneering effort to rebuild local news will only work if enough people join our Watchdog Club community of paying members
For those who can't afford to contribute right now, please sign up for one of our free Watchdog Update newsletters
and help the spread word about the Sentinel to your friends
A smarter Tucson is a better Tucson — and the Sentinel shines a light on this town because we love it
Tucson Sentinel's independent nonprofit newsroom is an award-winning journalism pioneer that learns from & informs Southern Arizonans about the community challenges & unique culture of our Borderlands.
© 2009-2025 TucsonSentinel.com
Tucson Sentinel's independent nonprofit newsroom learns from & informs Southern Arizonans about the community challenges & unique culture of our Borderlands.
The two people found dead in a hotel in Wassenaar on Tuesday morning were Polish migrant workers
Their bodies were found under suspicious circumstances in Hotel Wassenaar
a former hotel currently used by an employment agency to house migrant workers
The police responded to a report of an accident involving dangerous substances at the hotel on Katwijkseweg at around 5:20 a.m. on Tuesday. They found the two deceased people at the scene. According to NOS
a sign bearing the name of the employment agency Lider Job is attached to the facade of the former hotel
The police have released no further information beyond their early morning post on X reporting the discovery of the deceased persons and saying they were investigating
but it could also be that these people made that decision themselves,” a police spokesperson told NU.nl early on Tuesday morning
Mayor Leendert de Lange of Wassenaar said that he was saddened by the news of the victims’ deaths. “This affects us as a community and my thoughts go out to the relatives and everyone affected by this loss,” he said in response
“The police are carefully investigating the situation and I am confident that they will do everything they can to provide clarity.”
Mike Schouten has been at the helm of the Sioux Falls Christian boys basketball program
and what has essentially become an annual trip to the state tournament has yet to become monotonous for the longtime coach
it would probably be time for me to step aside
top-seeded SFC enters the Class A state tournament this week as the clear favorite
The Chargers will get the tourney underway at noon Thursday when they take on eighth-seeded Groton Area in the state quarterfinals at the Denny Sanford Premier Center
But the Chargers certainly know the work that lies ahead
SFC has been forced to settle for runner-up
including an overtime loss to Hamlin in last year’s state final
taking on seventh-seeded Hill City in a first-round matchup at 6 p.m
The other state quarterfinals pit fourth-seeded West Central versus No
while third-seeded Rapid City Christian and sixth-seeded Clark/Willow Lake will square off at 7:45 p.m
State semifinals will take place Friday evening
while the state championship is slated for 7:45 p.m
“It’s not going to be easy by any means,” said Schouten
whose team is 5-0 this season against opponents in the state tourney
You’ve got to play really well for three straight days
and that’s going to be the challenge is to get our team to do that
We’ll just get ready for that first-round game
the Chargers have one of the deeper rosters in this year’s state tournament
and Schouten hopes his players’ past experience on the big stage will give them a slight edge
“We have everybody back from last season,” Schouten said
“Some of our seniors played when they were freshman and some more played when they were sophomores
so we’re hoping that will be beneficial for us and that they’ll be able to play relaxed because it’s not new
“They’ve been there and been through it and know what to expect.”
Here’s a look at the eight state teams in this year’s Class A state tournament
Teams are listed in order of state quarterfinal matchups
Scoring offense and scoring defense numbers are listed on a per game basis
with the ranking among all Class A teams in parentheses
Scoring offense / scoring defense: 81.3 (first) / 51.6 (23rd)
State tourney history: The Chargers have fallen in the state championship game the last two seasons
including a 53-50 overtime loss to Hamlin a year ago
and have made the state tournament 10 years in a row
Know these players: It all starts with Griffen Goodbary
a 6-foot-11 South Dakota State commit who is dominant on both ends of the floor
The senior big is averaging 17.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 67% from the field
Sophomore Brant Wassenaar is another key piece to SFC’s success
With 14.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest
Wassenaar has tremendous value both on the wing and as a floor general
What to know: Sioux Falls Christian boasts the second-best scoring margin in Class A (plus-29.7) and carries a seven-game winning streak into the tournament
Scoring offense / scoring defense: 64.0 (seventh) / 44.7 (sixth)
State tourney history: The Tigers will be making their 11th all-time appearance in the state tournament and their third in the last four years
Groton has never reached the state final in the history of its program
Know these players: Ryder Johnson leads the way for the Tigers
averaging 18.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest
The 6-3 junior is shooting 38.2% from 3-point range and is converting at a 74.7% clip at the charity stripe
junior Keegen Tracy has also emerged as a top scoring option for Groton
where he’s averaging 6.4 rebounds per game
What to know: The Tigers have been hot in the latter half of the 2024-25 season
They have won seven in a row entering the state tournament
Scoring offense / scoring defense: 63.1 (eighth) / 43.1 (second)
State tourney history: The Trojans are making their first appearance in the state tournament in 24 years
Their lone state championships came in back-to-back seasons in 2000 and 2001
This year marks the program’s seventh trip to the state tourney
Know these players: West Central’s impressive 2024-25 campaign has been led by the sensational play of sophomore guard Connor Mebius
who is averaging a team-leading 17.4 points and 4.1 assists per game
The 5-9 guard is shooting 41.4% from 3-point range
He’s averaging 12.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest
What to know: West Central boasts one of the best defenses in Class A and brings an eight-game winning streak into the tournament
Scoring offense / scoring defense: 61.2 (11th) / 46.3 (10th)
State tourney history: Back in the state tournament for the first time in six years
the Orioles have won three state championships in boys basketball — all in Class A
They’ll be making their 25th appearance in the state tourney
Know these players: One of the more athletic teams in the field
Sophomore Aiden Hanson is second on the team in scoring with 10.1 ppg
isn’t far behind with 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest
What to know: After running into a brief hiccup in late January in which they dropped three of four
Scoring offense / scoring defense: 68.4 (third) / 38.2 (first)
State tourney history: The reigning state champion Chargers are back in the Class A state tournament to defend their crown
This year marks the program’s third consecutive appearance in the tournament and 13th all-time
Hamlin will be seeking its fourth state championship in program history
The 5-11 senior is producing 17.0 ppg while shooting 44.1% from beyond the arc
Senior Evan Stormo is second on the team in scoring with 13.9 ppg
and junior Jackson Wadsworth is close behind with 13.1 ppg
What to know: Since losing to SFC in a 75-60 decision in January
have won 15 straight games heading into the state tournament
Scoring offense / scoring defense: 58.4 (18th) / 48.1 (16th)
State tourney history: The Rangers will be making their first-ever appearance in the state tournament
They defeated Cheyenne-Eagle Butte in the SoDak 16 round to punch their ticket to the state tourney
Know these players: Senior guard Devin Buehler
He’ll continue his playing career at the next level at Doane University (Nebraska)
Junior Zane Messick is also a leader in the Rangers’ backcourt
Hill City is one of the more undersized teams in the Class A field
Hill City carries an 11-game winning streak into the state tournament
Scoring offense / scoring defense: 69.3 (second) / 47.9 (14th)
the Comets made their first appearance in the Class A state tournament
It’ll be the program's third all-time appearance in the state tournament
Know these players: Benson Kieffer leads the Comets with 19.5 points
Kieffer is shooting an impressive 42% from 3-point range and is one of two 1,000-point scorers on RCC’s roster
a 6-5 senior who’s averaging 13.3 ppg and 6.2 rpg
is third on the team in scoring with 12.8 ppg
What to know: RCC lost back-to-back games in January against last year’s Class A finalists
They’ll look to win their 11th in a row when they take the floor at the state tourney
Scoring offense / scoring defense: 59.6 (14th) / 43.3 (third)
State tourney history: The Cyclones will be seeking their first state championship in Class A
They haven’t been to the state tournament since 2019
when they won their first and only state title in Class B
This year marks the program’s sixth appearance at state
Know these players: Freshman Sullivan Felberg has been a key cog this season for CWL
The 6-7 standout is generating 13.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest
He’s one of four players averaging double-digit points for the Cyclones
The others are junior Emmerson Larson (12.4 ppg)
sophomore Chris Bevers (12.3 ppg) and sophomore Bo Begeman (11.7 ppg)
What to know: CWL boasts one of the younger rosters in the Class A state tournament
but that certainly won’t stop them from attempting to play spoiler
They bring a four-game winning streak into the tourney
Photo: ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/SPUTNIK/AFP/Getty Images
After the United States announced its new export control rules on semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment October 7 of last year
the first question asked was whether the controls were unilateral or multilateral
It has long been understood that in a globally integrated trading system where everything is made everywhere
unilateral controls are an exercise in futility
As my successor (several times removed) at the Commerce Department
unilateral controls are like damming half the river
The answer to that question about the October 7 rules was initially
as the administration obtained agreements from Japan
and Taiwan to impose similar controls on chips and tools
Although details are still being worked out
this was a significant victory for the administration and a sign that producers of advanced technology products were prepared to stick together on a common approach to controlling them
the public debate has moved on to focus on the questions many of us raised about the controls from the beginning—their effect on U.S
and whether they will lead to another episode of third countries designing U.S
technology and components out of their products in order to avoid triggering U.S
for those of you following this issue closely
so far appear to be a negative impact on U.S
company revenue; an acceleration of China’s plans to develop its own technology and a search for retaliation that hurts us more than them
and the beginning of design out efforts that will take some time to mature.)
is the issue of how to create and maintain a lasting multilateral control architecture
the administration has finessed that issue by cutting deals with the relevant foreign producers of the products we want to control
If the United States decides to expand its controls in the semiconductor sector or branch out into other areas of critical technology
the list of other producers may not be so short
and the challenges of creating a multilateral united front will be much greater
While Wassenaar has functioned successfully since 1996
recently its effectiveness has been questioned
which has made reaching consensus on anything virtually impossible
it moves too slowly for an era of rapid technological change
With only one decisionmaking plenary meeting per year and a long lead time in preparing for it
it has proved difficult for the organization to keep up with the times even when consensus might be reached
This has led to a debate over how to fix Wassenaar and over alternative architectures that might be better
Proponents of the former note the advantages of an existing structure
and control list over trying to build something new from scratch
“fix” would be “Wassenaar minus one,” meaning expelling Russia
The problems with that are that there is no expulsion mechanism in the Wassenaar Arrangement
other members would likely oppose such an action
so it would be Wassenaar minus three or four rather than minus one
Proponents of a new architecture point out that today’s sophisticated technologies are not
and that it would make more sense to develop a series of “mini-regimes” each focusing on a specific technology sector and including only the small number of countries that actually produce the controlled items
This would make reaching consensus much easier while still including all the relevant producers
It is essentially what the United States has done with respect to semiconductor manufacturing tools
I favor the mini-regime structure because I think it would be easier to create and easier to operate successfully
but I can see the advantages of a reinvented Wassenaar
are clear: multilateralism is the only viable approach to high-tech export controls
and existing structures are not adequate to the task
The United States had great success in building a coalition that imposed sanctions and controls on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine
It should move more quickly to reconcile internal differences over how to build a multilateral structure that can best control high-tech exports to China so it can repeat its 2022 success
William Reinsch holds the Scholl Chair in International Business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington
Commentary is produced by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
© 2023 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies
AZ — Three inmates were killed during an "altercation" Friday morning at the Arizona State Prison Complex Tucson
According to the Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation and Reentry
The ADCRR's Office of the Inspector General has begun an initial criminal investigation related to the inmates' deaths
The sole suspect was identified as inmate Ricky Wassenaar
An investigation remains ongoing and further details of the killings haven't been released
and first-degree escape for his involvement in the 2004 hostage situation at the ASPC-Lewis
ADCRR released the following information:
The deaths are being investigated in consultation with the county medical examiner's office
Visitation at the ASPC was canceled for the remainder of the day
According to the Department of Corrections website
there were 109 deaths in the Arizona State Prison system in the last fiscal year
resulting from a variety of causes including natural causes
The table below is from the Arizona Department of Corrections February 2025 data report
cause of death figures are subject to change based on medical examiner reports
The police arrested a 36-year-old man from Ede on Tuesday for possible involvement in a violent robbery of a jeweler and his wife in Wassenaar
The elderly couple were taken hostage in their own home for several hours last July
identified by the Telegraaf as 80-year-old Fred Brom
was also reportedly stabbed and struck on the head with a crowbar
and threatened by three masked men who broke into the villa on Backershagenlaan
Police added that the victims developed post-traumatic stress syndrome after the July 6 incident
Brom designed the engagement ring that Máxima received from Willem-Alexander before he became the country's king
He operated Steltman Juweliers until he retired four years ago and handed the company over to his sons
Newspaper reports pegged the value of the robbery at roughly a million euros
but did acknowledge that the robbers left with a great deal of valuables
A spokesperson cited privacy reasons when refusing to disclose information about the monetary value of the stolen contents
A great deal of attention has been given to the case
It was profiled on the show Opsporing Verzocht
Police stated in the episode that valuable jewelry was stolen
The investigation into other people who were possibly involved in the crime is ongoing
The suspect arrested this week was being held in restricted custody
meaning he will only be allowed contact with his lawyer
He is expected to face an initial hearing before an examining magistrate by the end of the week
at which time his pre-trial detention may be extended by up to two more weeks
Crops, Features
Watching for and developing diversification opportunities is certainly an important part of how partners DJ Wassenaar and Matt Bergman built their farm businesses in Ontario
Growing up on their respective farms in southwestern Ontario
they both started farm businesses at an early age
DJ grew up on a beef operation and started a custom farming business
while Matt grew up on a dairy farm and started farming on his own at age 23
“In about 2015 we partnered on DJ’s custom farming business and ran that for about four years,” Matt says
“In 2019 we sold it and used the money to start our own farm
is a different way of farming in some ways than a spring crop
bought land and expanded the farming operation that today involves about 4,200 acres in two locations: they produce organic crops on farmland near their home territory at Jarvis
and conventional cash crops on another farm in the Algoma district of northern Ontario
they found another diversification opportunity: once the cropping season is done
they put farm tractors and other equipment to work in winter clearing snow in local municipalities
As they each use their strengths to run and manage the farm business — Matt manages and makes most of the crop input decisions, while DJ handles sales and customer relations and is constantly chasing new opportunities — their business success earned them recognition earlier this year as Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2024
“We started out in 2018 with about 500 acres of rented land and have built things from there,” Matt says
Since they owned equipment from their custom farming days
they take 10 to 12 cuts off each hay stand — that’s over a period of three to five seasons — then rotate that land into other crops before reseeding forages
As DJ and Matt looked at ways to best manage and optimize profit per acre
they considered using row crops in rotation with hay
also looking at the potential to produce organically grown row crops
The production practices used on the hayland made it fairly easy to transition the farm into organic crop production
They started with 25 acres of organic corn as a trial
to see if it worked on their soil type and if they could manage and handle the extra workload
that was followed by growing identity-preserved organic soybeans
They were soon able to buy their own land and increase production to include organic corn and soybean in their rotation
That led to the creation of Claybank Organics
In 2021 they expanded into northern Ontario’s Algoma district
purchasing a farm to grow straight timothy hay for overseas customers
“We bought land in the Algoma district as farmland there is more affordable than in the Jarvis area,” says Matt
by being able to produce crops in a different environment.”
Today they farm about 4,200 acres in total
which includes about 2,800 acres of organic corn
And in the Algoma district they crop 1,400 to 1,500 acres including hay
all produced under conventional cropping practices
they seeded winter wheat and may seed oats and canola in 2025
about three years ago they created Winfield Contracting using farm tractors and other powered equipment to clear snow in several municipalities in the Jarvis area
“It’s been a big help to provide cash flow during the off season,” Matt says
The farming partners say they are always open to new opportunities but have no immediate plans to crop more acres
“We’ve had a fair bit of growth in recent years,” Matt says
“So in the near future the focus is just to continue with what we have and look for ways to fine-tune and improve production efficiency.”
Newsletter Sign Up - Receive Grainews articles delivered right to your inbox
From choosing the right herbicide to buying and maintaining machinery -- the ultimate resource for help managing your grain or integrated farming operation
Lee Hart is a longtime agricultural writer and a former field editor at Grainews
Sclerotinia-resistant canola varieties may be in the cards
May contract talks alarm sugar beet growers
Keep it Clean flags new 2025 farm chemical risks
Help your canola win the race with flea beetles
Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | © 2025
"(Required)" indicates required fields
Everything you love about Grainews and more
breaking news alerts and a customizable newsfeed in one seamless experience
the victims are 80-year-old Fred Brom and his wife
Brom is one of the best-known jewelers in the Netherlands
Brom retired in 2020 and transferred his business
He is perhaps best known for designing Queen Maxima’s engagement ring
He was also a regular gemstone expert on the program Tussen Kunst en Kitsch
Brom and his wife were attacked by three men in balaclavas in their villa on Backershagenlaan in Wassenaar
the police said on Opsporing Verzocht this week
The perpetrators threw towels over the victims’ heads so that they couldn’t see what they were doing
After ransacking the entire house and taking nearly 1 million euros worth of jewelry
the robbers left the couple tied up and in shock
“The robbery was such a traumatic experience that both of them have developed PTSD,” the police said
The police are looking for anyone with information about this robbery
News
Partners DJ Wassenaar and Matt Bergman of Haybury Farms Inc
in Jarvis have been named Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2024
Matt grew up on a dairy farm and started farming for himself at the age of 23 working an off-farm job and using his farm land to pay the farm mortgage
DJ was was raised on a beef farm and agriculture was a major focus for him from a young age
His initial interest was in beef which evolved into growing crops
with 500 acres of rental ground to their name
they needed to maximize every acre so they looked at field management and row crop farming a little differently than traditional farming
and they decided the best way to maximize hay acres was rotation with organics
and other green initiatives are now significant contributors to the consolidation of farmland and displacement of farmers around the globe
according to a report from agriculture and environmental think-tank International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES)
They did a trial with 25 acres of organic corn to see if it worked on their ground type and if they could manage and handle the extra workload that went with it
Maximizing the premium on IP beans and acre contracts for organics allowed them to become profitable in row crop farming
Increasing to 400 acres of organic corn and soybean rotation in 2019 lead to the creation of Claybank Organics
In 2021 they expanded into northern Ontario’s Algoma District
Claybank Organics farms 1000 acres a year of organic corn
and rented equipment to having and maintaining their own fleet both in Jarvis and the Algoma area
Each partner uses his strengths to run and manage the farm business
Matt manages and makes most of the crop input decisions
DJ is the face of the farm and handles sales and customer relations while constantly chasing new opportunities
Also nominated for the Ontario Region of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) Program was Romy and Ryan Schill of Circle R Livestock Ltd/Revolution Wool Company of Wallenstein
Romy and Ryan Schill along with DJ Wassenaar and Matt Bergman are real leaders in many aspects
of Canada’s exciting and diversified agriculture industry.”
The Ontario regional OYF event was held at Barn Swallow Fields at Thatcher Farms in Rockwood Aug
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture
Open to participants 18 to 39 years of age
making the majority of income from on-farm sources
participants are selected from seven regions across Canada
with two national winners chosen each year
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2024 will be chosen at the national event in Lethbridge
Newsletter Sign Up - Receive daily Ontario farm and production news
You’ll also receive industry insight on why it matters delivered right to your inbox
Bunge’s merger with Viterra stalled by US-China trade tensions
Industry believes green pea supplies are over-reported
Identical wording placing limits on the export of quantum computers has appeared in regulations across the globe
There doesn't seem to be any scientific reason for the controls
and all can be traced to secret international discussions
By Matthew Sparkes
Quantum computer exports are being restricted by many countries
Secret international discussions have resulted in governments across the world imposing identical export controls on quantum computers
while refusing to disclose the scientific rationale behind the regulations
Although quantum computers theoretically have the potential to threaten national security by breaking encryption techniques
even the most advanced quantum computers currently in public existence are too small and too error-prone to achieve this
The UK is one of the countries that has prohibited the export of quantum computers with 34 or more quantum bits
The intention seems to be to restrict machines of a certain capability
but the UK government hasn’t explicitly said this
A New Scientist freedom of information request for a rationale behind these numbers was turned down on the grounds of national security
Read more
Quantum memory device could stop unhackable networks from failing
France has also introduced export controls with the same specifications on qubit numbers and error rates
Identical limits across European states might point to a European Union regulation
A European Commission spokesperson told New Scientist that EU members are free to adopt national measures
“Recent controls on quantum computers by Spain and France are examples of such national measures,” they said
They declined to explain why the figures in various EU export bans matched exactly
if these decisions had been reached independently
A spokesperson for the French Embassy in London told New Scientist that the limit was set at a level “likely to represent a cyber risk”
They said that the controls were the same in France
the Netherlands and Spain because of “multilateral negotiations conducted over several years under the Wassenaar Arrangement”
“The limits chosen are based on scientific analyses of the performance of quantum computers,” the spokesperson told New Scientist
But when asked for clarification on who performed the analysis or whether it would be publicly released
the spokesperson declined to comment further
The latest science news delivered to your inbox
Read more
UK ban on quantum computer exports is pointless
New Scientist wrote to dozens of Wassenaar states asking about the existence of research on the level of quantum computer that would be dangerous to export
whether that research has been published and who carried it out
“We are closely observing the introduction of national controls by other states for certain technologies,” says a spokesperson for the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs
existing mechanisms can already be used to prevent in specific cases exports of such technologies.”
“We are obviously closely following Wassenaar discussions on the exact technical control parameters relating to quantum,” says Milan Godin
a Belgium adviser to the EU’s Working Party on Dual-Use Goods
Belgium doesn’t appear to have implemented its own export restrictions yet
but Godin says that quantum computers are a dual-use technology due to their potential to crack commercial or government encryption
as well as the possibility that their speed will eventually allow militaries to make faster and better plans – including in relation to nuclear missile strikes
A spokesperson for the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control confirmed that quantum computer export controls would be the result of negotiations under the Wassenaar Arrangement
although Germany also doesn’t appear to have implemented any restrictions
“These negotiations are confidential
unfortunately we cannot share any details or information about the considerations of this control,” says the spokesperson
Read more
Microsoft and Quantinuum’s quantum computer may be most reliable yet
Christopher Monroe
who co-founded quantum computer company IonQ
says people in the industry have noticed the identical bans and have been discussing their criteria
but he has no information on where they have come from
“I have no idea who determined the logic behind these numbers,” he says
but it may have something to do with the threshold for simulating a quantum computer on an ordinary computer
This becomes exponentially harder as the number of qubits rises
so Monroe believes that the rationale behind the ban could be to restrict quantum computers that are now too advanced to be simulated
even though such devices have no practical applications
“The fallacy there is that just because you cannot simulate what the quantum computer is doing doesn’t make it useful
And by severely limiting research to progress in this grey area
it will surely stifle innovation,” he says
There is currently a “supercolony” of ants that are originally from Asia by the Waalsdorpervlakte between The Hague and Wassenaar
This group is the first colony of pest ants that have been spotted in a natural area in the northwest of Europe
according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)
The ants can cause subsidence in roads and nuisance in buildings
to "prevent further spread of the ants by dragging soil
The colony covers an area of at least 3.4 hectares
comparable to at least five football fields
The area is a part of the Natura 2000 area of Meijendel & Berkheide
Paths have already sunk due to ants at various locations near the Waalsdorpervlakte
Employees of an office building nearby have also experienced a nuisance from the insects
“The chance of damage to electronics seems to be low because the ants have not shown any preference towards electronic items,” said the NVWA
"The pest ant did not affect the water supply of the nature reserve."
A group of at least five dolphins was spotted off the coast of Wassenaar near the Wassenaarse Slag beach on Saturday around noon, according to a spokesperson from SOS Dolfijn.
The dolphins initially swam northward before changing direction and heading south. After about an hour, they disappeared from sight. The group was observed by birdwatchers at the beach, who noted the animals’ large, pointed dorsal fins, distinguishing them from the smaller, blunt fins of harbor porpoises.
While the exact species of the dolphins remains unknown, the sighting could involve common bottlenose dolphins, said the spokesperson. There is no indication that the dolphins ventured dangerously close to the shore, and SOS Dolfijn has stated that there is no cause for concern.
This sighting follows several reports of dolphins appearing in the area in recent months, although such occurrences remain relatively rare along the Dutch coast.
© 2012-2025, NL Times, All rights reserved.
Featuring senior leaders from across the business providing insight on the firm’s progress, long-term growth opportunities, strategy and financial outlook.
2024 Photo: Depositphotos.comTwo Polish migrant workers have been found dead at a hotel in Wassenaar in what police have described as suspicious circumstances
Emergency services were called out to the former Hotel Wassenaar on Katwijkseweg at around 5.20am after receiving reports of an incident involving “dangerous substances”
Police said they were considering all possible scenarios
such as how or where the victims’ bodies were found
but it could be that these people took the decision upon themselves,” a spokesman told Nu.nl
In een hotel aan de #Katwijkseweg in #Wassenaar zijn twee overleden personen aangetroffen. Het onderzoek naar de toedracht is in volle gang. @POL_Wassenaar @POL_Katwijk
— Politie Eenheid Den Haag (@POL_DenHaag) October 22, 2024
Local media reported the victims were two Poles who worked for a Zoetemeer-based personnel agency, Lider Job.
Owner Benny van Wieringen said: “It’s true that they are two of our employees. I want to wait until I know about the circumstances in which they died before I say any more.”
Hotel Wassenaar closed to the public 11 years ago when its owners went bankrupt. Since then the 64-room hotel has been used to house migrant workers from central and eastern European countries.
We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.
Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!
We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.
Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.
2025 The bunker looks like an ordinary farm house
Photo: Seveno via Wikimedia CommonsWassenaar councillors and government real estate managers have decided to sell off an 80-year-old World War II bunker
which was commissioned in 1942 by Arthur Seyss-Inquart
Originally designed to resemble a farm building in order to trick Allied forces
the bunker is located along one edge of the 17th-century estate that served as a base of operations for Seyss-Inquart and his underlings
It was later renamed ‘Commandopost Clingendael’ and used by the Dutch government as a communications facility and crisis centre during the Cold War
The sale of the bunker has been the topic of much discussion in Wassenaar and The Hague since it was first mooted
A restoration took place between 2019 and 2020
but the building has been mostly empty for decades and unused entirely since 2013
Officials have now agreed that the bunker cannot be used as a café, restaurant, disco, party centre or events hall, although a gift shop has not been ruled out, the NRC reported on Wednesday
a museum or something else which “does justice to the cultural and historical values of the complex.”
The Atlantic Wall museum foundation told the paper it is interested in buying the property to add to its collection of bunkers
which have been restored and opened to the public
“That is more difficult than you would think
given they were built to keep people out,” spokesman Jeroen Trimbos said
The bid book for the location will be published next month
We could not provide the Dutch News service
without the generous support of our readers
Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter
and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day
Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days
We could not provide this service without you
Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey
Elsie Schilperoort Wassenaar was born at home to TJ and Anna Schilperoort on Sept 13
1927 - the same year Lindberg flew across the ocean as she would be apt to tell you - in Sunnyside
She was the 10th of 12 children but was often treated as the youngest- something she seemed to be delighted with
Elsie had a happy childhood on the farm playing with her siblings
and neighbors when she had time off from farm chores and helping in the kitchen
She enjoyed church and school and became an excellent student earning top honors in High School and graduating valedictorian of her class
excitement and more education called to her
MI to attend Calvin College where she earned her teaching credential; this took her to Whitinsville
They were married on the lawn at her parents’ house in Sunnyside on August 1
They settled in Detroit MI and began attending First CRC of Detroit
but she remained very close to the Wassenaar family
Elsie never remarried but went on to pursue other interests instead
She always loved art and music but started singing in the Fort St Presbyterian Choir which she did for many years
She became a secretary for a law firm and remained in that profession until she retired
She made the big move from the Detroit area to Seattle 50 years after she left Sunnyside for Calvin so that she could be closer to her daughter and her family in Sunnyside
she continued to enjoy art museums and the symphony
but also enjoyed gardening and walking and her many trips to Sunnyside
During her life she traveled all over the U.S
she drove by herself in her car all over the Western states
she slept in the backseat of her car where she had made up a bed
she rode a mule half-way down the Grand Canyon
But that wasn’t enough excitement for her
so a couple days later she WALKED to the bottom on her own
Elsie loved all of her children – Anna (husband David John)
Mom loved the simple things of life most of all
She saved (and labeled) an old dress of her mama’s and a doily made by her
The letter opener made by Tyler from a branch of the old
old trees her papa planted years ago around his house
The first violets and daffodils in spring; a root beer float on a hot summer day; the color change of leaves in autumn; the lace patterns of frost on the windows in winter
Elsie always believed in God and her faith carried her through her darkest times
she began to question her relationship with the CRC and eventually left that church to become a member of her local Presbyterian church which she felt was more closely aligned with her personal beliefs
She always tried to live her life according to her Christian beliefs and tried to give everyone the benefit of doubt.
Elsie suffered with bi-polar disease for many years before it was diagnosed
but her faith never wavered and she always came through to the light
Elsie lived several years in a small apartment in Ballard where she made close friends and could walk to church
She continued to take the bus downtown for music and art museums until the pandemic shut all that down
She was 92 years old by then and was falling often so the difficult decision was made to move her into a private care home where she remained until her death
Her daughter Anna was her constant ally
mainstay and advocate for many years - taking her to appointments and shopping and taking her on outings and answering the phone for emergencies and helping in many other innumerable ways
More than a year ago when Elsie was asked how she felt about dying she replied that she was not afraid
that she was ready and that she was at peace with it but not eager for it
2023 at 11:00 am at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside
Graveside service will follow at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside
Those wishing to sign Elsie’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com
Those in the Netherlands in life threatening danger should immediately dial 112 for emergencies, and anyone suffering from depression or contemplating suicide can call 113 Zelfmoordpreventie at any time by dialing either 113 or 0800-0113, or by visiting 113.nl
Two people were found dead in a hotel on Katwijkseweg in Wassenaar on Tuesday morning, The Hague police reported on X
The emergency services are investigating what happened
the police found a deceased person in a home in Amsterdam and arrested a suspect a short time later
The authorities received the first report about deceased people in the Wassenaar hotel at around 5:20 a.m
According to NU.nl
the two were found under suspicious circumstances after a report of an accident involving hazardous substances
but it could also be that these people made that decision themselves,” a police spokesperson told the newspaper
The police have not said where in the hotel they were found
The Amsterdam police found a deceased person in a home on Mataramstraat in Amsterdam Oost on Monday evening. They arrested a suspect in the area a short time later, the Amsterdam police said on X
Locals told AT5 that police officers responded to the home in large numbers at around 9:00 p.m
An ambulance arrived about 15 minutes later but left again when it became clear that the person was deceased
The police cordoned off the home for forensic investigation
they’ve released no details about the victim’s identity or what happened
Investigators asked witnesses to come forward
A Mother’s Warning (This Affects More Than Half of Us)
Support a mother’s fight for change.
That’s when I learned that my only daughter
had died suddenly from an undiagnosed blood clot caused by birth control pills
She was just 23 years old and had her whole beautiful life ahead of her
My name is Sara Wassenaar and I am the current Board Chair at NBCA
Her death was the result of an undiagnosed blood clot caused by birth control pills
If we had only known the risk factors and symptoms of blood clots sooner
I support NBCA because I will do everything in my power to help spread the word about the dangers of blood clots
I will continue to fight for Anna with a renewed resiliency every single day
Because no parent should have to suffer the loss of a child to a disease that is preventable and treatable if you know the signs
By the time we learned that birth control pills increase a women’s risk of developing a blood clot by about three to four times, it was too late… And tragically, blood clots continue to kill an average of 8,494 Americans each month. Will you help us reach our goal of raising ONE DOLLAR for each of the lives lost to this disease?
Every dollar donated before May 31 toward the $8,494 goal will be matched 2:1 and TRIPLE the IMPACT of your donation
Let us know what inspired your support for our special page of dedications
I hope you will consider making a gift of any amount to NBCA’s ✿For Every Day in May✿ campaign
in support of the thousands of beautiful lives like Anna’s that are being stolen each month by this preventable and treatable disease
We only have 14 days left to reach our goal and every dollar counts
*Anna’s story has already saved the lives of several individuals who had similar symptoms and sought medical care for blood clots or testing for clotting disorders
Her story prompted them to seek care immediately for similar symptoms
Luuk Wassenaar Comes to the Rescue of a Terminal Leukemia Patient5/25/2022 12:36:00 PM | MEN'S TENNIS
Donates bone marrow cells hoping to save the life of a 20-year-old battling cancer
Music soars; letters change hands; cosmetics are sold; secrets revealed; and finally,under twinkling Christmas lights
The gorgeous Golden Agemusical SHE LOVES ME
is playing at the American School of The Hague on 22
Two clerks in a small parfumerie in 1930’s Budapest simply can’t stop bickering
While they irritate each other relentlessly during their work day
each of them goes home in the evening to pour their hearts out in letters to their anonymous pen-pals
Little do they know they’re writing -- and falling in love -- with each other!SHE LOVES ME is a musical adaptation of the same Hungarian play (Parfumerie
by MikósLázló) that inspired popular films such as The Shop Around the Corner (1940) or You’ve GotMail (1989).
This beautifully-written jewel of a musical from 1963 has become a cult classic among musical theater fans because of its realistic
its powerful moments of emotional connection
and instrumentalists -- the show is accompanied by a live 14-piece orchestra made up of students and faculty members-- have been working on the production since May.
ASH students also help build sets,costumes and props
under the guidance of thetalented musicians
technicians and theatermakers on the ASH staff
Being involved in the musical is a yearly tradition for many ASH students
a 12th grader,says ASH musicals have taught her “skills I’ll use for the rest of my life -- like how to workwith people of different ages
how to use singing and acting tocreate a character
SHE LOVES ME is the 10th musical directed at ASH by Katrina Middelburg
Middelburg “was charmed by the glorious music
but the characters truly drew meto the script
we see how this group of colleagues care for each other.The feeling of community
That’s what gives this show its heart.”Local community members consider the theater productions at ASH a well-kept secret for an entertaining night out
“I have come to see the ASH musicals for years,” says Jean Kwok
who also happens to be a NYT best-selling novelist
“I am always blown away by the quality of the productions
and the productions look and sound fantastic
I regularly forget I’m watching a high schoolshow!”
SHE LOVES ME will be performed at the American School of The Hague in Wassenaar on November 22
Tickets are 10 Euros and can be reserved at mpilk@ash.nl
ellen@voorschotensekrant.nl
redactie@voorschotensekrant.nl
Druk dan op onderstaande knop om gratis push notificaties in te schakelen