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Block Island welcomes back visitors after hotel fire  

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. — Block Island welcomed back vacationers Sunday, a day after a fire tore through a historic hotel early Saturday, prompting officials on the summer tourist spot off the coast of Rhode Island to declare a state of emergency and urge the public to stay away.“Block Island is open for visitors! The beaches are lovely, many restaurants and shops are open. Come to bike and hike,” the Block Island Chamber of Commerce said in Facebook post Sunday.About 50 firefighters from around the state were flown and shipped in to help fight the flames at the Harborside Inn, and at least four ladder trucks were also brought in, the chamber said Saturday.In a separate post Sunday, the chamber urged donations to the Block Island Fire Department.“Their courageous efforts and fast action helped save the town. THANK YOU to all firefighters and first responders for keeping us safe,” the chamber wrote.The roof of the inn caved in around 1:30 a.m. All guests were evacu...

Devers, Turner, Jansen snatch victory from Yankees as Red Sox sweep rivals for second time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

After dominating the New York Yankees in the first two games of this weekend’s series, the Red Sox found themselves in a heated tug of war on Sunday.Boston emerged from battle with a 6-5 victory and their second sweep of their rivals this year.“That was a fantastic game by everyone,” Justin Turner said.Well, almost everyone. Until the very end, the series finale was up for grabs, thanks to some clutch hits, risky pitching, and horrendous umpiring. It took a true team effort to leave the Bronx with a win.The Red Sox lost three leads in the first seven innings, the Yankees answering each time with a home run.When Rafael Devers put Boston on the board in the first with a 1-out home run, Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka tied things up with his own solo homer in the bottom of the third.Devers’ leadoff double in the top of the sixth became the go-ahead run when Masataka Yoshida ground into a force out that should’ve been a routine double play. Instead, rookie ...

Fresh air ahead: One of the ‘nicer, drier’ of summer on tap

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

While the West Coast braces for the impact of a near hurricane strength storm, the Boston and New England region should see a break in rainy weather amid comfortable temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.Though Monday comes with a chance of thunderstorms and as of now the weekend is looking wet, the middle of the week is shaping up to be nearly perfect, with low humidity, comfortable temps and sunny skies.“We have pretty much no chance of precipitation Tuesday through Thursday,” Kyle Pederson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told the Herald. “We do have some chances of showers Saturday and the same again Sunday. Could be a little unsettled and wet over the weekend.”Increasing clouds overnight Sunday could carry a 30% chance of rain into Monday, when the high expected to reach 85 and thunderstorms are possible. Pederson said he doesn’t expect the rains to amount to a “washout” before they move on that evening. Temperatures overnight Monday a...

Severe weather straining disaster funds, FEMA says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

WASHINGTON — Growing extreme-weather risks mean President Joe Biden’s expected request for billions in extra disaster-relief funding might not be enough for the next fiscal year, FEMA head Deanne Criswell said.Biden’s roughly $12 billion request would cover the spending year ending Sept. 30, the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator said on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday.“As we’re continuing to see the increase in these severe weather events, that dollar amount may need to go up as we go into next fiscal year,” Criswell said.A wildfire in early August that destroyed the Hawaiian town of Lahaina and killed more than 100 people has focused attention on the rising cost of natural disasters. Biden plans to visit Hawaii on Monday, in part to “provide a sense of hope and assurance that the federal government is going to be with them,” Criswell said on ABC’s This Week.Biden intends to submit a supplemental funding request of at least $25 billion to Congress. FEMA expects that ...

Orioles complete series sweep of Athletics with 12-1 win behind Gunnar Henderson’s near-cycle, another Kyle Bradish gem

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

Gunnar Henderson was too good to hit for the cycle Sunday.The rookie was a single away from recording the eighth cycle in Orioles history when he came to bat in the eighth inning, but he was hitting the ball too hard for singles. Henderson roped a 103.6 mph double down the right field line, choosing to sprint to second for his fourth extra-base hit of the afternoon rather than hold up at first for the cycle.Henderson’s near-cycle — a 4-for-5 day with two doubles, a triple and a homer — propelled Baltimore to a 12-1 win over the Athletics and the Orioles’ eighth series sweep of the season. The 22-year-old is the 11th player in Orioles history with four extra-base hits in a game and the first since Melvin Mora in 2008. Only two other Baltimore players — Chris Richard, also a rookie, in 2000 and Don Baylor in 1973 — have tallied four extra-base hits with at least one double, triple and home run.The four-hit game is the second of Henderson’s nas...

‘Why would I’: Trump says he’ll skip GOP debate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

The first Republican Presidential debate will apparently be held Wednesday without the party’s biggest star.While at least eight other conservatives prepare to take the stage at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee for a debate hosted by Fox News, former President Donald Trump says he will be taking a pass on joining the lineup.“As everyone is aware, my Poll numbers, over a “wonderful” field of Republican candidates, are extraordinary. In fact, I am leading the runner up, whoever that may now be, by more than 50 Points. Reagan didn’t do it, and neither did others. People know my Record, one of the BEST EVER, so why would I Debate? I’M YOUR MAN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote, employing his typical disdain for the rules of capitalization.According to party rules, to qualify for the first debate candidates need to have seen at least 1% support in three “high-quality national polls” or a mix of national and early primary state polls, and receive donations from at least 40,000 people acro...

Ecuadorians vote for president without violence, but overseas voting system sees cyberattacks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuadorians put aside fears of leaving their homes amid unprecedented violence and voted for a new president Sunday in a special election that was heavily guarded by police and soldiers in part due to the assassination of a presidential candidate this month.The country’s top electoral authority, Diana Atamaint, reported no violent incidents affected voting centers and characterized the election as “peaceful and safe” after polls closed. However, Atamaint, president of the National Electoral Council, said the electronic voting system used by Ecuadorians living abroad was targeted by several cyberattacks, including from China, India and Bangladesh. She said the incidents did not jeopardize vote counts.Authorities deployed more than 100,000 police and soldiers to protect the vote against more violence. Gen. Fausto Salinas, commander general of the National Police, said one person was arrested for false voting, two for harassment and resisting arres...

Guatemalans vote in presidential runoff, hoping their new leader will bring real change

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

VILLA NUEVA, Guatemala (AP) — After a tumultuous campaign, Guatemalans cast ballots Sunday in a runoff presidential election that pitted an anti-corruption advocate against a former first lady seen as an ally to the outgoing government.The two candidates offered starkly different paths forward. Former first lady Sandra Torres became an ally of outgoing, deeply unpopular President Alejandro Giammattei in her third bid for the presidency. Her opponent, Bernardo Arévalo, with the progressive Seed Movement, rode a wave of popular resentment toward politics to his surprise spot in the runoff.Central America’s most populous country and the region’s largest economy continues to struggle with widespread poverty and violence that have driven hundreds of thousands of Guatemalans to migrate to the U.S. in recent years.Voting appeared to have been peaceful. The Attorney General’s Office, which sought unsuccessfully to suspend Arévalo’s party before the vote, announced several arrest...

‘They destroyed everything’: Rally held to save beloved west end shrine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

The Marian Shrine of Gratitude has been tucked away behind St. Basil-the-Great-College School and the Carmine Stefano Community Centre near Weston Road and Sheppard Avenue for years. The property where this sacred place of worship resides has been sold despite cries from the public for it to be saved. Residents say this has been a place where all are welcome. “It’s not just Christians that are coming here, it’s different denominations coming here because they feel peace,” said Angela Carboni, a shrine volunteer coordinator for 15 years. The shrine was being looked after by three priests who have since passed away. Ownership was then transferred over to the Basilian Fathers at the Order of St. Basil the Great of St. Josaphat. A letter was sent out earlier this week advising locals that the shrine would no longer be accessible to the public. The once-open shrine is now behind gates and guarded with security. Trucks have been brought in and workers have been on ...

Thieves rob Prada store near Magnificent Mile

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Police are investigating a robbery at a Prada store near the Magnificent Mile on Sunday.Chicago police say it happened just before 1 p.m. at the store located near North Rush Street and East Oak Street.According to police, at least six people, who were all wearing masks and gloves, entered the store and stole property.  String of 7-11 robberies within 30 minutes on North Side Police say no employees or shoppers were injured during the robbery. Anyone with information can file an anonymous tip at CPDtip.comAn investigation is underway, but police say nobody is currently in custody.