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Recovery efforts continue in Leominster one week after severe flooding

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

Recovery efforts are ongoing in Leominster now one week after severe flooding damaged businesses, homes and infrastructure. Large sections of the city were inundated on Monday of last week. As many continue to deal with the damage, local business owners this week are pleading with the city for more assistance. “We can’t continue to lose our properties, our valuables,” one person said during the public comment portion of a city council meeting Monday night.“What are you guys going to do about this?” another person asked. Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella joined city councilors at Monday’s special meeting, asking to move money into a flood relief fund to pay for the emergency response. While Mazzarella said he’s still waiting for the federal government to provide aid to homeowners and businesses, he said some work is already getting done.“We’ve made incredible strides already,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of streets that were closed open. All the bridges are underway....

Evaluation process goes beyond the numbers as the Chicago White Sox continue to look at bullpen options

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

The Chicago White Sox got an extended look at Luis Patiño in his debut with the team on Sept. 2.Acquired in a trade deadline deal from the Tampa Bay Rays on Aug. 1, the right-hander got called up on Sept. 1.He pitched four relief innings the next day, allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out four and walking three against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field.Patiño has pitched at least three innings in three of his four relief outings with the Sox, including allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts in three innings Sunday against the Minnesota Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field.“To me, it’s important to show what I can do in the role, especially for them to know what I’m capable of doing here for next year,” Patiño told the Tribune through an interpreter before Monday’s game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.The Sox are evaluating several pitchers as possible options for 2024. That process has ...

Solar battery storage container fire prompts evacuation order in Valley Center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

VALLEY CENTER, Calif. -- A fire that erupted Monday inside a solar battery storage container has prompted nearby buildings to evacuate in Valley Center, authorities said.The blaze occurred around 5 p.m. at 29465 Valley Center Rd, located just east of Vesper Road, according to Valley Center Fire Protection District. SkyFOX was over the location where smoke could be seen spewing from the storage container. California campsite reservation bill heads to governor’s desk As of 6:39 p.m., an evacuation order is in place for residents in the shaded area found below.An evacuation order is in place for the shaded area in Valley Center due to a solar battery storage container fire on Sept. 18, 2023. (San Diego County Emergency Site)The temporary evacuation point is at Valley Center High School at 31322 Cole Grade Road, per the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.Valley Center Rd, between Cole Grande Rd and Sunset Rd, has also been closed due to the fire. Officials advise the publ...

Veteran California pilots racing in Reno killed in mid-air crash shortly after first-second finish

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Two veteran California pilots were killed over the weekend when their World War II-era planes collided in mid-air while preparing to land just after finishing first and second in a title race at the National Championship Air Races north of Reno.Officials identified the victims of Sunday’s crash as Chris Rushing of Thousand Oaks and Nick Macy, 67, of Tulelake.Race officials said they were cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and local authorities to determine the cause of the crash.The crash marred the 59th and final year of the National Championship Air Races at the Reno-Stead Airport. The deaths brought the number of pilots or performers who have died at the Reno races to 24 since the event began in 1964, along with 10 spectators who died during a crash on the edge of the grandstand in 2011.“It’s a particularly poignant end to our final flag in Reno,” Reno Air Racing Association CEO Fred Telling told ...

Rapper Travis Scott is questioned over deadly crowd surge at Texas festival in wave of lawsuits

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Rap superstar Travis Scott was questioned for several hours on Monday in a civil deposition he gave in connection with hundreds of lawsuits that were filed against him and others over the deaths and injuries at the 2021 Astroworld festival.Scott was questioned in Houston during a deposition that lasted around eight hours, two people with knowledge about the litigation said.Lawyers and others connected to the civil lawsuits are under a gag order, preventing them from saying little beyond what happens during court hearings.“Travis Scott’s deposition is typical legal procedure. What is not typical is how the media continues to focus on him despite being cleared of any wrongdoing by extensive government investigations, including by the Houston Police Department,” Ted Anastasiou, a spokesperson for Scott, said in a statement. “Travis is fully cooperating with the legal process while still remaining committed to his tour in support of his record-breaking album, ‘Utopi...

Biden tells a Broadway theater packed for fundraiser that Trump is determined to destroy the nation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday told a packed Broadway theater full of big-name stars hosting a fundraiser in his honor that he was running for reelection because Donald Trump was determined to destroy the nation. Democracy is at stake, he told the audience at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater. Hate groups have been emboldened, he said. Books are being banned. Children go to school fearing shootings. “Let there be no question, Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy American democracy,” he said, referring to the former president’s slogan, “Make America Great Again.” “And I will always defend, protect and fight for our democracy.”Biden also accused Trump and his allies of bowing down to authoritarians: “I will not side with dictators like Putin. Maybe Trump and his MAGA friends can bow down but I won’t.” It was the among the president’s strongest rebukes of the Republican front-runner and former president, who is facing criminal c...

Phoenix racetrack to end live racing, which means its OTB sites will close

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — Turf Paradise, a racetrack that has been a staple of horse racing in Arizona for decades, announced Monday it will cease live racing. Jerry Simms, the longtime owner, announced he is retiring to spend more time with family. There will be no live racing or simulcasting from the north Phoenix racetrack starting Oct. 1. This also means the 37 Off Track Betting sites Turf Paradise runs, which make up more than half of OTB sites statewide, will close. OTB sites televise live races and simulcasts from other racetracks nationwide for wagering. They are inside bars and restaurants. But live racing is a requirement for operating off-track betting facilities.Turf Paradise opened in January 1956. Simms has been at the helm since 2000. The Associated Press

B.C. Sikhs ask for protection after Trudeau links Nijjar killing to India

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

SURREY — Harkirat Kaur said she had a relationship with Sikh community leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar that was like “father and daughter” before his killing in Surrey, B.C., in June.The 19-year-old Sikh activist said she was initially relieved to hear Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tell Parliament on Monday that “credible” intelligence linked India’s government to the shooting death of Nijjar, who supported an independent Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab province.But that soon turned to “resentment” about why it took months to acknowledge what the community had been saying since Nijjar was shot dead in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara where he was president.“Why did it take so long? Why did it take someone to be killed for us to have a little bit of acknowledgment of what is happening?” Kaur said outside the gurdwara.Trudeau’s announcement is spurring calls from B.C.’s Sikh community to better protect its members.British Columbia Premier...

Browns running back Nick Chubb carted off field after suffering knee injury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Cleveland Browns star running back Nick Chubb was carted off the field with a left knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.Chubb collided with Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick at the end of a 5-yard run early in the second quarter. Chubb's legs bent awkwardly underneath him while being tackled by Fitzpatrick.After the play, a teammate grabbed Chubb's hand to try to help him to his feet, and Chubb shook his head while clutching his left knee. He undid his chinstrap and rolled over onto his side.Chubb suffered a serious injury to the same knee in 2015 while in college at Georgia — a dislocation with three torn ligaments. Like the previous injury, the one Monday night was difficult to watch, and ESPN declined to show replays of the play where he was hurt.Chubb remained on the ground for several minutes while teammates gathered in prayer nearby. He eventually left on a cart. Chubb ran 10 times for 64 yards before getting hurt.He was replaced by Je...

Best grocery store in Illinois? 'The Daily Meal' weighs in

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Everyone has a go-to grocery store, and for those who live in Chicago, preferences might look a little different based on your home state. The Daily Meal, an online food and drink publication, recently released a list naming "The best grocery store in every state." It includes a mix of local grocers and national chains. Selections are ultimately based on four criteria: Stock, innovation, value, and contribution to the community. Not everyone who shops for groceries values all four, but generally speaking, they're all important parts of the experience. According to The Daily Meal list, Aldi was named the best grocery store in Illinois.As for Aldi, the discount-grocery chain has quite a large presence in Illinois with more than 200 locations. Writers tout their organic fruit and vegetable choices, plus say they have a generous return policy in the case of spoiled food. "Of course, in many instances, a great supermarket chain has locations in many states. In order to give t...