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Brush fire breaks out in East County, prompts road closures

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:55 GMT

RAMONA, Calif. -- Firefighters are battling a brush fire early Friday evening that prompted road closures in the Ramona Oaks area.The blaze, dubbed as the "Oaks Fire," is currently being held at three acres, Cal Fire San Diego tweeted at 4:36 p.m. County officials update residents on water boil advisory SkyFOX was over the location where a large plume of white smoke could be seen spewing from the brush and into the air.As of 4:39 p.m., the fire prompted State Route 78, located east of Rancho Santa Fe Court, to be closed in both directions, according to the California Department of Transportation. Eastbound lanes on SR-78 are closed at Ramona Trails Dr. while westbound lanes are closed at Rancho Santa Teresa Dr. There is no structure threat at this time, according to fire officials.Check back for updates on this developing story.

Support pours in for 13 firefighters in tiny B.C. brigade whose own homes burned down

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:55 GMT

Kathleen Zydowicz hasn’t seen much of her husband lately, keeping in touch via text while he and dozens of colleagues fight wildfires around their tiny community of Wilson’s Landing, on the west side of Okanagan Lake, B.C. Paul Zydowicz, Wilson’s Landing fire chief, told a press conference Thursday that the devastating McDougall Creek blaze has been a “nightmare.”“The force, speed and intensity of the fire is unprecedented in our community,” he said.But his wife has been forced to confront the ferocity of the fires too because the couple’s own house is among those destroyed, reduced to a pile of rubble and twisted metal.The chief said 13 members of his brigade had lost their homes in the community, which has a summer population of about 500.The Okanagan is now rallying behind the Wilson’s Landing fire department, which has about 25 members, as they deal with the fires on a personal level. Children have been crafting handmade than...

A crush at the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games in Madagascar kills at least 12

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:55 GMT

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — At least 12 people died in a crush at a stadium in Madagascar on Friday as sports fans gathered for the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games, local media reported.The reports said Prime Minister Christian Ntsay announced the deaths. He said around 80 others had been injured, 11 of them critically.Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina was at the ceremony at Mahamasina Stadium in the capital, Antananarivo, and asked the crowd to observe a few moments of silence for the dead, the reports said.The stadium, which is built to hold around 41,000 people, has been the site of deadly crushes before. One person died and at least 37 were injured in a crush ahead of a qualifying game for the African Cup of Nations soccer tournament between Madagascar and Senegal in 2018. In 2019, at least 15 people died in a stampede at a music concert at the stadium.The Indian Ocean Island Games is a multi-sports event featuring nations from the region. Athletes from ...

Alabama wants to be the 1st state to execute a prisoner by making him breathe only nitrogen

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:55 GMT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama is seeking to become the first state to execute a prisoner by making him breathe pure nitrogen.The Alabama attorney general’s office on Friday asked the state Supreme Court to set an execution date for death row inmate Kenneth Smith. Alabama plans to put him to death by nitrogen hypoxia, an execution method that is authorized in three states but has never been used.Nitrogen hypoxia is caused by forcing the inmate to breathe only nitrogen, depriving them of oxygen and causing them to pass out and die, according to the theory. Nitrogen makes up 78% of the air inhaled by humans and is harmless when inhaled with oxygen. Critics have likened the untested method to human experimentation.Alabama authorized nitrogen hypoxia in 2018 but the state has not attempted to use it until now to carry out a death sentence. Oklahoma and Mississippi have also authorized nitrogen hypoxia. Alabama has been working for several years to develop the execution method, but has ...

3 people seriously injured in crash involving vehicle, pedestrians in Mississauga

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:55 GMT

Two people are fighting for their lives in hospital after a crash in Mississauga on Friday evening.Emergency crews responded to a collision around 6:35 p.m. near Central Parkway and Hurontario Street. Peel police say a vehicle and pedestrians were involved.Paramedics tell CityNews two people were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. A third person was taken to hospital with serious injuries.The intersection of Central Parkway and Hurontario is closed to traffic. Motorists are being asked to avoid the area.This is a developing story. More to come.COLLISION:– Central Pkwy E/ Hurontario St #Mississauga– Vehicle and pedestrians involved– Unknown extent of injuries– vehicle remained on scene– Use alternate routes– C/R at 6:36 p.m.– PR23-0275690— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) August 25, 2023 

Police offer warning after several vehicles stolen in Englewood

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:55 GMT

CHICAGO — Police are offering a warning to the public after several car thefts and attempted thefts in Englewood during the month of August. According to Chicago police, officers investigated seven thefts and attempted thefts in the neighborhood between August 3 and August 21.  Chicago files lawsuit against Kia, Hyundai over rise in car thefts Police say in each of the incidents, the victims parked their cars and returned to find them stolen or damaged.Police provided the following timeline of the thefts and attempted thefts:Monday, August 3, at 1:01 a.m. in the 100 block of West 72nd Street.  Wednesday, August 9, at 8 a.m. in the 7100 block of South Perry Avenue. Thursday, August 10 at 6:50 a.m. in the 7200 block of South Perry Avenue. Wednesday, August 16, between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. in the 7000 block of South Wentworth Avenue. Thursday, August 17, between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. in the 7100 block of South Wentworth Avenue. Saturday, August 19, a...

Biden on Trump mug shot: ‘Handsome guy’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:55 GMT

(The Hill) — President Biden on Friday chimed in on former President Trump's mug shot, saying his top political rival is a "handsome guy" after he was booked in Fulton County, Ga.When asked about the mug shot, Biden told reporters, “I did see it on television. Handsome guy.”Trump on Thursday evening surrendered to Georgia authorities after being charged on 13 counts related to seeking to overturn the state’s 2020 election. He took a mug shot, making him the first former president in history to do so. Trump’s historic mug shot to become a bobblehead “They insisted on a mug shot, and I agreed to do that,” Trump told Fox Digital after the fact. “This is the only time I’ve ever taken a mug shot.”Earlier this week, Trump was interviewed by former Fox host Tucker Carlson, which aired at the same time as the first Republican primary debate. Biden told reporters Friday he “didn't have an interest or inclination” to watch the interview.The president also bashed the GOP debat...

Temperatures soar as high school football returns in Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — High school football is in full swing as thousands of players from around Central Texas took the field this week."You just wake up and you can feel it in the air," said Anderson Football Coach, Donald Hatcher.There's just something special about high school football in Texas, he said."We are excited we are ready to go," said Austin High football Coach Bernard Riley.Coaches and players have been preparing for this season since football ended last year."All the workouts, all the film sessions, they all led to this," said Ed Small, a receiver at Anderson High School.While film sessions are inside, a lot of the hard work involves practicing outside, which can be pretty tiring in the Texas heat. Anderson scores early and often, runs away with 42-0 Taco Shack Bowl win over McCallum "You definitely get worn out a lot faster," said Wilder Davenpot, quarterback for Austin High School.Hutto High School Coach Will Compton said it's important to keep an eye on all his players ...

Local school districts put teacher raises in the hands of voters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — School board trustees in Round Rock ISD and Pflugerville ISD have voted to put increased pay for teachers on the ballot in November.Both districts have called for a Voter Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) this fall. This would change how certain pennies are spent in the district.Both districts say raising pay for staff is at the heart of these elections. They said these proposals are directly related to inaction of lawmakers to increase school funding during the regular session of the Texas legislature this year. Teachers to get extra pay in Senate property tax plan According to PfISD, if the VATRE is approved, the average taxpayer's tax bill will decrease by $650 a year, if it fails the rate would decrease by $831 per year. PfISD said the VATRE would provide $10.7 million to the district."We and other districts asked for $1,000 increase in the student allotment, that did not happen. There were a couple other things added that are mandatory for us to take care of ...

Positively St. Louis: In just 6 months, NEEC supports over 600 businesses across St. Louis City

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Since the ribbon cutting to open the Northside Economic Empowerment Center (NEEC) in January 2023, more than 600 St. Louis City-based businesses have received support, capacity building and workforce development. With a goal to support more than 1,000 businesses this year, the NEEC, located in the annex building of Sumner High School in North St. Louis, is funded by $1.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds through the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC). The NEEC is an innovative concept that provides a team of business professionals who can serve current and new business owners with hands-on support, training and business empowerment across St. Louis City.  The NEEC is a strategic, centralized center that meets businesses where they are in their journey, to provide training, digital lab, planning rooms, training and workshops and acts as a technical assistance hub for WBE/MBE contractors. Neal Richardson, CEO & President of the SLDC says the NEE...