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Hunt for 2023 Union Depot holiday tree kicks off

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Union Depot has officially begun their search for the next Union Depot holiday tree and is asking Ramsey County residents to keep an eye out for an overgrown, 50 to 70-foot evergreen tree to be the anchor for the transportation hub’s holiday event series.If the tree is selected, the county will remove it and grind it down to its stump, and the tree owner and their family will be able to participate in the holiday tree lighting celebration on Dec. 2 at Union Depot.The tree will be adorned with more than 15,000 energy-efficient LED lights and will “command a warm, festive ambiance for travelers and eventgoers,” Union Depot officials said in a press release.To be considered for the holiday tree, the tree must be:Located in Ramsey CountyBe an evergreenHave overgrown its location or have another reason for removalBe in good condition as it will be seen from all sides.Those who have trees worth considering can email a photo of the tree with their address to info@uniondep...

Don’t count Minnesota out of new women’s pro hockey league

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

When it was announced June 29 that a new ownership group with deep pockets aims to start a new professional hockey league in January, it was immediately assumed by many that Minnesota would be the odd team out.That was already the case in the Premier Hockey League, geographically if not competitively. The Whitecaps’ six league rivals were in New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston, Buffalo, Montreal and Toronto.Furthermore, the new, unnamed league — which expects to announce name, teams and markets within a month, according to commissioner Reagan Carey — will be a team smaller than the Premier Hockey Federation, in which the Whitecaps have been playing since 2018.Surely, a new league trying to establish itself as the first economically viable women’s pro hockey league won’t want to start with one market more than 800 miles away from its closest rival.Well, maybe.Reagan Carey, former director of women’s hockey for Team USA, will be the commissioner of a new women’s league expecte...

High heat, poor air quality and drought in metro will pause summer fun

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Forecasts in the low hundreds combined with severe drought and poor air quality have put summer on stall for some Twin Cities residents.Jacque Lindskoog, a resident of the Wellington Senior Living in St. Paul for the past six years, looks forward to her weekly outings with Twin Cities Adaptive Cycling. TCAC hosts group trike-rides for disabled individuals of all ages to get outside, get exercise, and enjoy cycling.Lindskoog’s plans have been put on pause by the heat this summer.The Twin Cities can expect temperatures in the mid- to upper 90s and low 100s until Friday, when the temperatures might dip down to the low 90s, according to the National Weather Service.“TCAC will cancel if it gets above 95,” Lindskoog explained. She has already had to miss several rides due to heat this summer.The heat index, which is calculated based on non-active individuals in the shade, is predicted to be in the low to mid-90s on Tuesday, but nearing 100 on Wednesday and Thursday. With...

Grammy award-winning singer Tori Kelly hospitalized for blood clots

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Grammy award-winning singer Tori Kelly is being treated for blood clots after passing out at a restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday night, multiple media outlets reported.First reported by TMZ, a source close to Kelly said the 30-year-old singer is receiving treatment for blood clots found around her lungs and legs. Doctors are also trying to determine if she has blood clots around her heart.The singer reportedly noticed that her heart was beating very fast before passing out. A source close to the singer told TMZ she was “out for a while” before being transported to a hospital.Her friends opted not to call an ambulance for the singer to make sure she wasn’t taken to a hospital in the downtown area and instead received care from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, one of L.A.’s topped rated facilities.The unidentified source also told TMZ that Kelly is currently in the ICU and has been in and out of consciousness during her hospitalization.Entertainment Tonight reported that Kelly...

MAP: These are California's contaminated Superfund sites

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

More than 1,300 sites around the country are suspected of being so contaminated, hazardous or polluted – or are at risk of becoming so polluted – that they have been deemed a national cleanup priority. About 100 of those "Superfund" sites are found in California. The Environmental Protection Agency identifies these as places that pose a risk to people's health because they have been contaminated by hazardous waste. Since 1980, the agency has taken charge of cleaning up those sites under a law with the nickname "Superfund." (Its full name is The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA.) California's Superfund sites include poorly managed waste management, tech manufacturing facilities, and several military bases. AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile? Maps show which cell provider gives your area best coverage As of July, the EPA lists 96 contaminated places in California on the National Priorities List. "It is a list of the worst hazardous waste s...

What scientists are saying about UFO whistleblower claims

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Interesting. Frustrating. Potentially even "credible."But nothing that science can work on in its current form.That was how physicists and astronomers interviewed by The Hill described recent allegations that the U.S. government has been hiding evidence of multiple alien crash sites.To take those claims beyond buzzy conjecture, the country needs a plan to acquire more hard data, scientists said.On Wednesday the House Oversight Committee will hold controversial hearings about "unidentified aerial phenomena," or UAP.Those hearings will focus on eyewitness accounts by U.S. military pilots of what have appeared to be strange craft moving in ways that known human technology cannot, and on the broader claims of a cover-up made by former Air Force and intelligence official David Grusch.Steven Greer, ufologist and founded of the Center for the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence and the Disclosure Project, delivers remarks on his UFO and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) rese...

Woman Fatally Struck in Pedestrian Collision on Marysville Boulevard [Sacramento, CA]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Female Pedestrian Killed in Deadly Accident near Sonoma AvenueSACRAMENTO, CA (July 24, 2023) – Sunday night, one woman was fatally struck in a pedestrian collision on Marysville Boulevard.Around 9:00 p.m., police responded to the scene near the intersection of Marysville Boulevard and Sonoma Avenue.Investigators say the driver of a vehicle struck a female pedestrian in the area. However, further events leading up remain unclear.First responders located the woman with severe injuries and transported her to a local hospital. There, she eventually succumbed to her wounds and was pronounced dead.Emergency crews closed off the surrounding area for a brief time during cleanup and preliminary duties. Once available, further information will be provided about the fatal pedestrian collision on Marysville Boulevard.The team at Sweet James would like to offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of the deceased woman. May you find comfort and strength during this difficult time.Re...

Mitchell Katz Killed in 2-Car Accident on East Avenue [Livermore, CA]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

59-Year-Old Man Pronounced Dead after Two-Vehicle Collision near Mitra StreetLIVERMORE, CA (July 24, 2023) – Friday afternoon, Mitchell Katz was killed in a 2-car accident on East Avenue.Authorities responded to the scene around 3:20 p.m., near Mitra Street.Per reports, Kats was driving a white SUV and attempted to change lanes when he collided with a black Subaru. Medics arrived and transported 59-year-old Katz to a nearby hospital where he eventually succumbed to his injuries.Meanwhile, the male driver of the other vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. Although, authorities have not yet released their identity.After the collision, officers say the victim was the owner of Mitchell Katz Winery in Livermore, and he will be deeply missed by his community.The team at Sweet James offers their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mitchell Katz. May you find comfort and strength through the memories of your loved one.Reach out to Sweet Ja...

Santa Barbara paper, one of state’s oldest, ceases publication

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

By Olga R. Rodriguez | Associated PressSAN FRANCISCO — The Pulitzer Prize-winning Santa Barbara News-Press, one of California’s oldest newspapers, has ceased publishing after its owner declared the 150-year-old publication bankrupt.The newspaper became an online-only publication in April. But its last digital edition was posted Friday when owner Wendy McCaw filed for bankruptcy.Managing editor Dave Mason broke the news to staff in an email Friday, according to NoozHawk, a digital publication whose executive editor, Tom Bolton, used to lead the News-Press.“They ran out of money to pay us. They will issue final paychecks when the bankruptcy is approved in court,” Mason wrote to staff.On Monday, the News-Press’ website was still online, with the most recent stories published Friday. There was no mention that it would cease publishing or that it has declared bankruptcy.A voicemail message left Monday by The Associated Press in the newsroom’s phone number wa...

Letters: Bridge emergencies | Native landscapes | Population and climate | Political money | Vote Biden

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.We must better managebridge emergenciesRe: “Richmond-San Rafael Bridge reopens Saturday morning after emergency” (Page B8, July 23).There has to be a better way to handle the 19-hour Richmond-San Rafael Bridge standoff Friday and Saturday. Officials must find a better way to resolve mental health issues on bridges.One must consider the hundreds who were held hostage while officials attempted to resolve one person’s issue. Consider the issues of those held hostage against the person with the mental health crisis.Is there no way to safely open one lane? Is there no way to safely incapacitate the person in crisis?This should not be allowed to happen again.Linda QuickWalnut CreekNative landscapescan help pollinatorsAnyone with a bit of lawn or garden can help restore plummeting numbers of birds and butterflies by planting native plants.It’s a fun neighborhood project: Work with friends and neighb...