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New York firefighter drowns while trying to rescue daughter at Jersey Shore beach, authorities say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:15 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City firefighter lost his life while trying to save his daughter, who became distressed while swimming at a New Jersey beach, authorities said.FDNY firefighter Mark Batista of Teaneck, New Jersey, died Friday morning, WNBC-TV reported.The 39-year-old reportedly went into the water at Sylvania Avenue beach in Avon-by-the-Sea around 8:30 a.m. to assist his 15-year-old daughter. It was not immediately clear what happened to the girl to require assistance near a jetty, the station reported. First responders contacted by witnesses rescued the girl from the water, but her father was not found until around 10 a.m. about 50 feet (15 meters) from the shore. Police said emergency responders attempted life-saving measures before Batista was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he died, WNBC reported.The girl also was transported to the hospital and was expected to recover.Lifeguards are not scheduled to begin working at the beach before June 1...

Songwriter Cynthia Weil, who had hits with husband Barry Mann, honored at California memorial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:15 GMT

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — As guests filed into Sunday’s music-filled memorial for Cynthia Weil, they smiled in recognition and sang along to a string of hit songs she co-wrote that were played on speakers in a lush courtyard of the Beverly Hills Hotel. Weil, the Grammy-winning lyricist who enjoyed a decades-long partnership with husband Barry Mann and helped compose “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “On Broadway,” “Walking in the Rain” and dozens of other timeless tunes, died last week at age 82.Singer Tony Orlando, who hosted the private event from a small stage with a grand piano, admonished attendees that despite the cloudy skies the day was not to be mournful, but a sunny celebration. “I want the applause to be loud!” he said. Orlando performed “Bless You,” the 1961 ballad that gave Weil and Mann their first top 20 hit. They were married within months of the song’s release. White-coated waiters distributed trays of bright green apple martinis, Weil’s favori...

In Uganda, a recent ban on charcoal making disrupts a lucrative but destructive business

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:15 GMT

GULU, Uganda (AP) — The charcoal makers in the forests of northern Uganda fled into the bush, temporarily abandoning their precious handiwork: multiple heaps of timber yet to be processed. The workers were desperate to avoid capture by local officials after a new law banned the commercial production of charcoal. They risked arrest and beatings if they were caught. But what’s really at stake for the charcoal makers is their livelihood. “We are not going to stop,” said Deo Ssenyimba, a bare-chested charcoal maker who has been active in northern Uganda for 12 years. “We stop and then we do what? Are we going to steal?”The burning of charcoal, an age-old practice in many African societies, is now restricted business across northern Uganda amid a wave of resentment by locals who have warned of the threat of climate change stemming from the uncontrolled felling of trees by outsiders. In reality, not much has changed as charcoal producers skirt around the rules to keep supply flowing and w...

Elgin man charged after double fatal car crash that killed teen couple

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:15 GMT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — An Elgin man was charged Sunday, one day after a car crash in Hoffman Estates that killed a teen couple who had just graduated from Schaumburg High School.Deni Rubi, 32, from Elgin, Ill. (Courtesy: Hoffman Estates PD)Deni Rubio, a 32-year-old Elgin resident, was charged with five felony counts, according to the Cook County State's Attorneys Office. Rubio was charged with two counts of aggravated DUI resulting in the death of another person, two counts of reckless homicide, and one count of trying to disarm a peace officer.On Saturday, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the teen couple as 18-year-olds Amelia Mazeikis and D’Shaun “DJ” Tudela, who had graduated from Schaumburg High School in May.Amelia Mazeikis and D'Shaun Tudela at their high school graduation in May.According to family, the two had been dating for three years and Amelia was driving D'Shaun to work at the time of the crash. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Cook County ME ID’s teen couple ...

Austin celebrates 2023 Salsa & Heritage Festival Sunday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Austin celebrates its Celebrando 2023! Salsa & Heritage Festival Sunday. The festival was held at the JCC Ballroom at Shalom Austin from 3-8 p.m. Sunday. This year's theme delved into Colombian and Puerto Rican mountain traditions and featured performances by the TrabuRikan Salsa Orquestra and other artists, per an event news release.The Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Austin celebrates its Celebrando 2023! Salsa & Heritage Festival Sunday. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)The Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Austin celebrates its Celebrando 2023! Salsa & Heritage Festival Sunday. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)The Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Austin celebrates its Celebrando 2023! Salsa & Heritage Festival Sunday. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)The Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Austin celebrates its Celebrando 2023! Salsa & Heritage Festival Sunday. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)The Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Austin ce...

Mayo’s plan for downtown Rochester: First, it’s out with six current sites to make way for new

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:15 GMT

Mayo Clinic’s plan to invest billions to create a health care center of the future will be built on six blocks of downtown Rochester’s past.Mayo Clinic leaders introduced a very early look at its “Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester” initiative this week. Most details, like the number of buildings, timeline for construction and the estimated cost were not available.However, development initiative leader Dr. Craig Daniels did map out where this plan will change the look of Rochester from the ground up.Mayo Clinic’s “Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester” initiative will redevelop six downtown Rochester blocks by 2030. (Contributed / Mayo Clinic)The plan centers on redeveloping several sites in downtown Rochester, including the former Lourdes High School property and the Ozmun complexes, to create new ancillary and clinical buildings.When asked if any of the existing buildings on the Mayo Clinic-owned spaces marked on Daniels’ map would be retained or re-...

Lynx’s late rally brings 91-86 victory over Sparks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:15 GMT

The current Lynx did their best to overshadow a night when Sylvia Fowles’ No. 34 became the fourth jersey to be retired by the franchise.What occurred in the minutes preceding the postgame ceremony got the crowd fired up: a late 17-0 run by the home team and a 91-86 win over Los Angeles.It’s the first victory at Target Center in five outings for the 2-7 Lynx.For the first time in Lynx history, five straight games have been decided by five points or less. Minnesota lost three of the previous four.“This just shows the grit and staying together,” said Tiffany Mitchell, whose free throws with 9.3 seconds left secured the win. “We were all connected, we’re still in the game. Collectively, we all looked at each other and kind of had that refuse to lose attitude.”Bridget Carleton scored from outside the arc in front of the Sparks bench with 1:10 left and from a similar spot across the court with 32.1 seconds left for a four-point Lynx lead, and Target Center was as loud as it’s been all se...

Groundbreaking for Edwardsville nail salon and lounge destroyed by fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:15 GMT

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – An Edwardsville business is rising from the ashes at a groundbreaking held Sunday for EXO.The $10 million project is a combination lounge, nail salon, and med spa that will employ about 100 people.Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy attended Sunday’s groundbreaking, saying the new business was great for growth.“Well, we’re so excited that EXO is rebuilding in our city of Edwardsville. As you know, they have a fire, and their investment in our community is just so important to our city,” he said. “Because it’s a destination, it’s a place where people want to come to, and we’re just excited that they’re rebuilding in our community. Having good jobs in our community is really important.” Vandals damage LGBTQ door display at south St. Louis County church Gina Gamblin, founder and CEO, admitted it’s been a challenge. The business first opened right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Then a year after opening, it burned to the ground.“We never dreamed COVID would happen. I...

Woman rescued after 25-foot fall in Hollywood Hills

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:15 GMT

A 26-year-old woman had to be rescued by crews with the Los Angeles Fire Department after falling some 25 feet in the Hollywood Hills on Sunday, authorities announced.  LAFD personnel responded to 3850 N. Barham Blvd. after receiving a 911 call just after 12:30 p.m.  Firefighters used a ladder truck, along with a rope system, to lower a litter basket down to the victim after she sustained a possible leg fracture from the fall, according to an LAFD news release. Crews then hoisted the woman back to street level.  LAFD personnel seen here hoisting a woman out of a canyon off Barham Blvd. on June 11, 2023. (Citizen app)LAFD personnel seen here after bringing the woman to the ground in a litter basket on June 11, 2023. (Citizen app)LAFD seen here wheeling the female victim on a gurney to an awaiting ambulance on June 11, 2023. (Citizen app)The woman was then taken to the hospital in fair condition, LAFD said.  The circumstances leading up to the woman’s fall are unclear a...

Suspect arrested in standoff that temporarily shut down Coliseum BART station

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:15 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) -- The Coliseum BART station was shut down Sunday afternoon due to a standoff, officials said. After an hours-long standoff that included the deployment of gas, the BART station at 7200 San Leandro Street reopened later in the evening around 7 p.m.The driver, who was the suspect in the standoff, barricaded himself in his vehicle as officers negotiated for him to surrender, police said. Video (above) shows police deploying a flash bang and gas in response. Man dies after morning shooting in Vallejo He is connected to an armed robbery around 11:30 a.m. at an unidentified business on the 1000 block of MacArthur Boulevard in San Leandro, according to the San Leandro Police Department (SLPD). Around 2 p.m., officers spotted the suspect, who was driving a silver Hyundai two-door hatchback, near Washington Avenue and Lewlling Boulevard. SLPD said officers tried to stop the suspect, but he rammed into one of the police cars in order to escape.The Hyundai was report...