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110-foot tree in Balboa Park topples amid gusty winds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Strong and damaging winds are expected to continue into Wednesday from the coast to the deserts after a pleasant Tuesday afternoon that prompted many to exit their homes for a glimpse of some sunshine. Gusty winds did damage in Balboa Park, knocking down a 110-foot eucalyptus tree along the train tracks near the carousel.“We're just keeping an eye out on a lot of those trees especially the ones near heavily trafficked areas, either vehicle or pedestrian," said Jose Ysea with the City of San Diego. More rain moves into San Diego It's a place where 800 out of the park's 18,000 trees foreshadow a collapse like the one in Balboa Park, as saturated turf and gusty winds pack a punch. “We’re coming off the heels of a drought. During that time, a lot of tree roots will die, and that compromises the roots, they are dead now, and not holding onto the soil like a live root, so you got that coupled with very wet soil conditions along with heavy winds, it’s almost like a perfect ...

2 charged in violent carjacking after man chased down, stabbed in Toronto’s west end

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 GMT

Toronto police have charged two men, aged 18 and 19, in a violent carjacking after a driver was chased down and stabbed by the suspects in the city’s west end.Officers were notified of a carjacking in the Rogers Road and Old Weston Road area just after 8 p.m. on Monday.Police tell CityNews the victim, a man in his 50s, pulled over to the side of the road to park when he was approached by two suspects who demanded his keys.It’s alleged that the two men began to assault the victim, and after he tried to flee, they chased him down and repeatedly stabbed him. The pair then fled in his vehicle.The male driver was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Investigators were able to locate the stolen vehicle and the knife used in the attack. They determined that these two men were involved in a previous carjacking on Sunday, March 19, in the Bernard Avenue and Spadina Road area in the Annex.In that incident, the suspects allegedly approached a vehicle, and when the...

Muslim authorities say Ramadan fasting to begin Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Muslim authorities in Saudi Arabia and several other Middle Eastern countries say this year’s fasting month of Ramadan will begin Thursday based on the expected sighting of the crescent moon.Clerics across the region said the moon was not visible Tuesday night, meaning it will almost certainly appear the following evening, heralding the start of the monthlong observance.During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual intercourse from sunrise until sunset. Even a tiny sip of water or a puff of smoke is enough to invalidate the fast. At night, family and friends gather and feast in a festive atmosphere.The fasting is aimed at bringing the faithful closer to God and reminding them of the suffering of the poor. Muslims are expected to strictly observe daily prayers and engage in heightened religious contemplation. They are also urged to refrain from gossip, fighting or cursing during the holy month.Fasting is one of the...

BLOG: Vallas, Johnson face off in WGN's Chicago Mayoral Debate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 GMT

CHICAGO -- The two election runoff candidates for Chicago's Mayoral race faced off in their third debate ahead the April 4 election.The Your Local Election Headquarters: Chicago Mayoral Debate took place on Tuesday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at WGN's studios on Chicago's North Side.You can watch the entire Chicago Mayoral Debate in the video player below: Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson meet for their third debate since they were announced as the runoff winners from the Feb. 28 election. Finalists for Chicago mayor layout their plans for city’s future During the February election, Vallas received 33% of the votes compared to Johnson’s near 22%.Since then, Vallas has been endorsed by at least 20 council members and three of his rival candidates, including Ja'Mal Green, along with the FOP and a number of trade unions.Johnson’s endorsements include national leaders, like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Illinois' Attorney General Kwame Raoul...

Residents deliver first reviews of Project Connect's 5 light rail options

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Austin unveils a first look at the future of light rail services in the city, residents sharing their thoughts on the designs on the table — as well as considerations they hope project heads consider moving forward.The Austin Transit Partnership debuted the light rail designs for Project Connect, the multi-billion-dollar mass transit system city voters approved in November 2020. At the core of that system is the promise of light rail, a first for the Texas capital.The light rail design options residents saw Tuesday evening are different in magnitude from those shown the past two-and-a-half year. They come after ATP hit pause on light rail designs last summer, amid skyrocketing costs attributed to real estate valuations, construction-related inflation costs and scope changes.Austin Transit Partnership has unveiled five options for Project Connect's light rail system. (Courtesy: Austin Transit Partnership)Austin Transit Partnership has unveiled five options for Proj...

How much has Austin's future light rail project already cost?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Nearly two-and-a-half years after they approved a massive transportation plan called Project Connect, Austin voters got their first look at five design options for the city's future light rail system. Before these new designs were unveiled, however, millions of taxpayer dollars had been funneled to the project. In 2020, voters opted to increase the city's property tax rate, dedicating 8.75 cents per $100 of property valuation to Project Connect. The vote also created Austin Transit Partnership, or ATP -- -- the entity created to oversee the project -- which began operating jointly with CapMetro and the City of Austin before passing its first, independent budget in September. LATEST: Project Connect debuts 5 scaled down light rail options According to ATP's Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget, these property tax funds will provide $159 million in revenue for its group this year, in addition to other revenue streams such as contributions from CapMetro's budget. That marked...

Filip Gustavsson steps up to lift Wild to thrilling win over Devils

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 GMT

NEWARK, N.J. — Filip Gustavsson didn’t look himself on Tuesday night at the Prudential Center. He was fighting the puck and couldn’t seem to catch anything cleanly with his glove hand. His positioning in the crease proved to be his saving grace as pucks continued to bounce off of his pads.As the game between the Wild and the New Jersey Devils wore on, however, Gustavsson slowly found his rhythm between the pipes. He made a few big saves to get himself going and started to look like the star goaltender he has been for the Wild all season long.In the end, Gustavsson stood on his head down the stretch to force overtime, and the Wild earned a 2-1 overtime win over the Devils. Matt Boldy scored the game-winner in the final seconds of overtime at the end of a marathon shift.The win put the Wild (41-22-8, 90 points) in first place in the Central Division for the time being, with the Dallas Stars (38-19-13, 89 points) still in the middle of a game with the Seattle Kraken.N...

Local Tuskegee Airman honored during deceased veterans ceremony

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Saratoga County officials honored a fallen Tuskegee airman on Tuesday during a deceased veterans ceremony. Clarence Dart is from Saratoga Springs and was drafted into World War II in 1942. He entered the U.S. Army Corps later that year and served as a member of the 332nd fighter group based in North Africa. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! He flew 95 missions during his time and was shot down twice. After the war, he served in the New York Air National Guard before retiring. His son, Warren, also spoke at the event."It's nice that the county has recognized the fact that my dad fought so hard for this country," Warren said.Dart married his wife Mildred in June 1950 and settled in Saratoga Springs where they raised their nine children.

Albany woman places second on Jeopardy!

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 GMT

LOS ANGELES (NEWS10) -- An Albany woman was in the spotlight on Tuesday as she appeared in an episode of Jeopardy! Charlotte Diffendale is a letter carrier from Albany. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! She was trying to knock off the current champion. Heading into Final Jeopardy, she was in second place with $14,000. No one got the Final Jeopardy question right.Diffendale finished in second place and won $2,000.

Rockies spring training report: Prospects Zac Veen, Drew Romo sent down to minors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 GMT

Outfielder Zac Veen and catcher Drew Romo, two of the Rockies’ prized prospects, were sent down to minor league camp on Tuesday.They impressed, big-time, during spring training but they still have a lot of tuning up before they are big-league-ready.When reporters asked manager Bud Black if either player could make their big-league debuts this season, Black answered: “I could potentially see it happen. But both of those guys have a number of things to take care of, to clean up, to polish, for sure. But their skill level can compete at the major league level.”Black added that both Veen and Romo are not ready to be consistent, everyday major league players.“Are they equipped to play 30, 40, 60, 100 games? I don’t know. Not right now. That’s why they are in the minors,” Black said.In 20 Cactus League games, Veen slashed .271/.314/.375 with one home run, two doubles and eight stolen bases. Romo played in 13 games, slashing .421/.450/.579 with one doubl...