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Reprieve in Okanagan fire fight, but desperate battle goes on

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:55 GMT

KELOWNA — The fire chief of West Kelowna says an “army” of firefighters from across the province has managed to earn a reprieve for the city in the battle against a devastating wildfire.But fire chief Jason Brolund says firefighters continue to face multiple structure fires that include streets full of burning houses. Brolund told a Saturday morning briefing that the previous night’s battle got a boost from calmer and cooler conditions, but the fight continues to expand.He says the “real successes” overnight came about due to 200 firefighters battling the destructive McDougall Creek wildfire.Meanwhile, structural losses have been confirmed in the City of Kelowna by fire chief Travis Whiting, who says he can’t confirm numbers until after homeowners have been informed.The Okanagan fires are at the epicentre of B.C.’s fight to control hundreds of blazes, which have triggered a provincewide state of emergencyThis report by The Canadian Press was...

Pacific coast battens down the hatches as Hurricane Hilary threatens ‘catastrophic’ flooding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:55 GMT

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP) — A weakening Hurricane Hilary headed for Mexico’s Baja California on Saturday as the U.S. National Hurricane Center predicted “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” for the peninsula and for the southwestern United States, where it was forecast to cross the border as a tropical storm on Sunday.Officials as far north as Los Angeles scrambled to get the homeless off the streets, set up shelters and prepare for evacuations.Hilary is expected to plow into Mexico’s Baja peninsula on Saturday night before rushing northward and entering the history books as the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years.The U.S. National Hurricane Center issued tropical storm and potential flood warnings for a wide swath of Southern California from the Pacific coast to interior mountains and deserts. “This is being labeled as historic, life-threatening and potentially catastrophic rainfall for Southern California and a good chunk of the desert...

1 dead, 185 structures destroyed in eastern Washington wildfire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:55 GMT

MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. (AP) — A wind-driven wildfire in eastern Washington state has destroyed at least 185 structures, closed a major highway and left one person dead, officials said Saturday.The blaze started on the west side of Medical Lake, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of Spokane, at about 12:30 p.m. Friday, Washington State Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Isabelle Hoygaard said Saturday. It grew to 14.8 square miles (38 square kilometers) by Saturday morning, with zero containment. The burned structures were a mixture of homes and outbuildings.Level 3 evacuations — Go Now — were ordered for the town as winds blew the flames south, Hoygaard said. The blaze burned through the south side of the town and then jumped Interstate 90 Friday night, forcing its closure. The major east-west thoroughfare remained closed in both directions Saturday morning. “The fire is burning on both sides of the highway,” the Washington state Department of Transportation said on its webp...

A former New York bishop has died at 84. He promoted social justice, but covered up rape allegations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:55 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Howard Hubbard, a retired Catholic bishop who acknowledged covering up allegations of sexual abuse in his upstate New York diocese and recently married a woman in a civil ceremony, has died after suffering from a massive stroke. He was 84.Hubbard passed away at Albany Medical Center on Saturday after being hospitalized for the stroke days prior, bishop spokesman Mark Behan confirmed.Hubbard was known as a champion of social justice causes during his long tenure leading the Albany, New York-based diocese from 1977 to 2014. But his reputation suffered as the church became engulfed in sexual abuse scandals. Hubbard had adamantly denied accusations that he abused minors. But he acknowledged in a 2021 deposition that he and the diocese covered up allegations of sexual abuse against children by priests in part to avoid scandal.Last fall, Hubbard said he wanted to be returned to the lay state — leave the clergy — since he could no longer function as a priest due to a U....

Former Minnesota governor and congressman, moderate Republican Al Quie, dies at 99

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:55 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Minnesota Gov. Al Quie, a moderate Republican known for working across the aisle as both governor and as a congressman, has died. He was 99.Quie died of natural causes late Friday at a senior living community in suburban Wayzata where he had lived for the last 10 years, his son, Joel Quie, said Saturday. While he had been in declining health in recent months, he still enjoyed meeting and greeting people. At a family gathering two weeks ago, he read aloud to his great-grandchildren from their favorite storybook, his son said. He died just a month shy of his 100th birthday.“His stature and his energy and his enthusiasm for life was there right to the end,” Joel Quie said.Albert Harold Quie was born Sept. 18, 1923, on his family’s dairy farm near Dennison in southeastern Minnesota. After serving as a Navy pilot in World War II, he returned home to resume farming. He served a stint in the Minnesota Senate before winning a special election for a vacant con...

Saints: Jimmy Graham back with team after stopped by police during ‘medical episode’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:55 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was in the midst of a “medical episode” and was disoriented when he was taken into custody in the Los Angeles area and transported to a hospital, the team said Saturday.Graham was stopped by police on Friday night while reportedly wandering in traffic and booked on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance.The Saints announced Graham has been evaluated by team doctor John Amoss, was released from a hospital on Saturday morning and was back with the team as it prepared for a preseason game on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. The team said Amoss determined Graham “likely” was suffering the effects of a seizure when he was apprehended on Friday night. Graham spent the night under medical supervision and testing, the team said. “Amoss met Graham at the hospital and is overseeing his care at this time,” the Saints’ statement said.It was not immediately clear whether the 36-year-o...

Broadway actor Chris Peluso dies at 40

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:55 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX) – Chris Peluso, a Broadway actor who appeared in "Mamma Mia!" and several other productions, has died at the age of 40, his family confirmed to Playbill.Playbill reported that Peluso stepped away from the spotlight back in 2022 to deal with schizoaffective disorder. His cause of death wasn't revealed.In addition to his role in "Mamma Mia!" on Broadway, Peluso was also described by Playbill as a "favored understudy" who covered roles in "Assassins," "Lestat" and "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical." He was also a member of multiple touring productions of "Wicked," playing the part of Fiyero.Actor Chris Peluso (L) and actress Christine Dwyer attend the 68th Annual Tony Awards Gala at The Plaza Hotel on June 8, 2014, in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)More recently, he appeared in the London productions of "Death Takes a Holiday," "Show Boat" and "Miss Saigon." Peluso is survived by his wife and two children. ‘My hands ...

Marjorie Taylor Greene appears to defend Proud Boys leader in social media post

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:55 GMT

(The Hill) – Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) appeared to defend the leader of the Proud Boys militia group after the Justice Department (DOJ) announced it is seeking a 33-year sentence for his role in planning the Jan. 6 insurrection.Enrique Tarrio was found guilty of seditious conspiracy in May, the most serious charge brought against anyone related to the riots. A 33-year sentence is the longest requested and would be the longest handed down in the Capitol riot cases, if accepted by a judge.“You know who the Justice Department is not seeking 33 years in prison for?” Greene said on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday. “Antifa/BLM violent rioters who burned, looted, destroyed $2 billion in property in George Floyd riots. And Hunter Biden and Joe Biden for taking criminal bribes selling political influence and favors.” Two Florida Jan. 6 rioters sentenced to prison; 3 co-defendants still on the run Tarrio and three others were convicted of plotting to halt the count of electoral vot...

This state quarter could be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars: Here's why

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:55 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — If you check your cup holders, coin purse, or piggy bank, there is a very good chance you’ll find a state quarter — the U.S. Mint produced 34.3 billion during the 10-year period the quarters were released. While every state has a quarter, one is proving to be of increased interest recently.First, it’s important to understand the process of making the state quarters. During the program, which ran from the 1990s through 2008, states submitted designs for their own quarters. In 33 states, the governor selected the final design and in 17, citizens made the selection. Are your old coins and bills valuable? Expert explains what to look for Once the design was finalized, the coins were minted in one of three cities: Denver, Philadelphia, or San Francisco. You can tell where any quarter was minted (with the exception of some older ones) based on the small letter to the right of President George Washington’s head. Where the quarter was minted can have an impact o...

Barton Springs pecan tree ‘Flo’ diagnosed with infection

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:55 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 19, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin said the iconic Barton Springs pecan tree, “Flo”, has been diagnosed with the wood decay fungus Kretzschmaria deusta, also known as brittle cinder fungus.The city said the disease weakens roots and wood at the base of the tree and has been known to cause whole tree failures in trees that otherwise look healthy.According to the city, there are no effective treatments for brittle cinder fungus, and once a tree is infected with this disease, tree removal is typically recommended to reduce safety risks.“If removal is necessary, the Department will work to ensure there are opportunities for individuals to honor the tree and will consider options to memorialize this iconic tree through creative reuse of remaining intact wood,” the city said.Infected tree at Barton Springs Pool (City of Austin photo)Brittle Cinder Fungus seen on a tree (City of Austin photo)The release said ...