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Fourth of July at the Esplanade: Crowds turn up, the show goes on

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:17 GMT

A soggy start by gray-skied Mother Nature didn’t hamper the holiday spirit of hundreds of patriots – rocking red, white and blue in all varieties – who showed up at the Esplanade to celebrate America’s 247th birthday.Back Bay resident Lou Spelios showed up at 3 a.m., nine hours before gates opened at noon. He was second in line. After reading about the annual Fourth of July celebration at the Hatch Memorial Shell, he said he learned it takes “some effort” to get a close seat.“It was raining torrents, just torrents,” Spelios said after plopping down his green beach chair in the front row around 12:15. “I was just sitting there thinking ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this. I can’t believe I’m doing this.’”Massachusetts State Police shut down entry to the Esplanade around 2:30 p.m. due to the rain, lightning and wind. Authorities reopened the venue at 5, with the concert and fireworks scheduled to go on as planned.Kimberly Vanaman left her Newton home around 4 a.m., getti...

As Israel winds down West Bank offensive, rockets from Gaza raise risk of fighting on new front

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:17 GMT

By MAJDI MOHAMMED and IMAD ISSEID (Associated Press)JENIN, West Bank (AP) — The Israeli military began withdrawing troops from a militant stronghold in the occupied West Bank late Tuesday, security officials said, winding down an intense two-day operation that killed at least 13 Palestinians, drove thousands from their homes and left a wide swath of damage in its wake. One Israeli soldier was killed.But heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants continued in parts of the Jenin refugee camp, delaying the planned pullout. Just after midnight, residents in the Jenin refugee camp said the army had left the area. The army said a soldier had ben killed in the fighting, but gave no further details.Adding to the tensions, the army said militants in the Gaza Strip launched five rockets into Israel. It said all of the rockets were intercepted, but the launches raised the risk of fighting on a second front for Israel. The developments came hours after a Hamas militan...

Mariners fan travels to Giants’ waterfront ballpark, fondly remembering time there with slain son

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:17 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — When Mariners fan Keith Beach was asked whether he might be interested in using the seats from a friend of a friend for a big league baseball game, he immediately inquired about when and where.July 4. Oracle Park, San Francisco. Mariners-Giants matinee.His heart suddenly touched by a flood of emotions, the 71-year-old Beach knew he absolutely had to make the trip from his home in the Seattle suburbs — walking boot for a torn Achilles tendon and all. His son was killed while attending a co-ed softball tournament in the Washington coastal town of Long Beach during the July 4 weekend eight years ago and they had special memories together at San Francisco’s waterfront ballpark. The father and son attended a game here a year before Jeff Beach was beaten to death at age 36 in a case that remains open.“We were here in 2014,” recalled Beach, who also played baseball and shared that love over the decades with his son. “We got to go to a game. We were visiting San Francis...

Fire at fuel dock in Alaska community injures 2 people, sinks boat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:17 GMT

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A fire broke out at a fuel dock in the south-central Alaska community of Whittier on Tuesday, injuring two people and sinking a boat. Fletcher Morrison, a fisherman who docks his boat at the Whittier Harbor, was in the area when the fire broke out about shortly before noon, the Anchorage Daily News reported. Morrison described hearing a bang and seeing a boat fueling up at the dock go up in flames. The boat sank, he said.Emergency teams from Whittier and Girdwood responded, a dispatcher for Whittier police and emergency services confirmed to the newspaper. Girdwood Fire Chief Michelle Weston said medical personnel evaluated two people who were then taken by a medical evacuation service.Weston said Tuesday afternoon that the fire was under controlThe Associated Press

A quick look at the ongoing strike by British Columbia port workers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:17 GMT

VANCOUVER — About 7,400 workers have been on strike at ports along British Columbia’s coast since Saturday morning.Contract talks between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada and the BC Maritime Employers Association broke down Monday.Here are some key facts in the dispute:— The union represents workers who load and unload cargo at terminals at more than 30 B.C. ports, including Canada’s busiest, the Port of Vancouver.— The association represents 49 private-sector employers and its website says the industry contributes $2.7 billion to Canada’s GDP while handling roughly 16 per cent of the country’s total traded goods.— The union’s previous contract expired at the end of March after negotiations aimed at reaching a new deal began in February.— In early June, union members voted 99.24 per cent in favour of authorizing strike action if required.— Workers walked off the job Saturday and contract talks stalled Monday, with the union saying ...

Revelers across the US brave heat and rain to celebrate Fourth of July, but some events delayed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:17 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Revelers across the U.S. braved heat and heavy rain to take part in Fourth of July activities Tuesday — celebrating the nation’s founding with parades, fireworks and hot dog eating contests at a time of lingering political divisions and concerns about the country’s future.In Boston, people dodged raindrops to nab a coveted space on the grassy oval in front of the Hatch Shell along the Charles River ahead of the traditional Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. Hundreds of thousands of partygoers typically line both sides of the river for the fireworks spectacular that follows a concert.At another longstanding celebration, fans of competitive eating crowded to watch Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest held in the Coney Island section of New York City.Heavy downpours interrupted the contest, but after the pause, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut swallowed 62 franks and buns in 10 minutes.“What a roller coaster, emotionally,” Chestnut said. The 39-year-old f...

Alberta minister calls for back-to-work legislation to end B.C. port strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:17 GMT

VANCOUVER — Alberta’s transport minister wants the federal government to recall Parliament to consider back-to-work legislation that would end a strike at British Columbia ports.Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen said he’s frustrated the strike has continued since Saturday, particularly because Ottawa used legislation in 2021 to end a walkout by Port of Montreal dock workers after one day.“They used Parliament to resolve it. And that same amount of urgency is something that we’re hoping that the federal government has in this case as well,” he said.Dreeshen said Tuesday that Alberta has asked federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan for daily updates on negotiations between the BC Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada.“It’s vitally important that the supply chain, this being a main critical component of it, remains open,” he said.More than 7,000 worke...

Possible shark attacks prompt heightened patrols at New York’s Long Island beaches

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:17 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Two swimmers were apparently attacked by sharks off the shores of Long Island on Tuesday, a day after two others reported being attacked while enjoying the water at popular New York beaches.At least one beach delayed opening to holiday revelers Tuesday, after officials said drones spotted some 50 sand sharks that morning near a popular beach park. When the beach reopened, swimmers were advised to stay close to shore.“We want to make sure swimmers are safe,” Long Island State Parks Regional Director George Gorman told Newsday.The beach was closed once more after a possible shark sighting, but officials determined it was a dolphin.After a spate of attacks last year, state parks officials have increased patrols and deployed more drones to scout the waters for possible danger.“We did have a season last year where we had six swimmers bitten from sharks, so this has turned into a bit of a concern,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told WABC.Tuesday’...

N.W.T. reports suspected anthrax outbreak in Slave River Lowlands bison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:17 GMT

YELLOWKNIFE — The Northwest Territories government says there is a suspected anthrax outbreak among the Slave River Lowlands bison population.The Department of Environment and Climate Change says 15 bison carcasses were found in the area between Fort Smith and Fort Resolution over the weekend, and test results on the carcasses are pending.The department says an incident management team is working to rapidly detect and dispose of the infected bison and keep people away from the area.The team will also incinerate or chemically treat the bison and surrounding grass to prevent the spread of anthrax spores.Anthrax rarely spreads to humans and is almost never transmitted from person to person. About 95 per cent of all human cases of anthrax result from skin contact with infected animals and, while it can be treated with antibiotics, can be fatal if left untreated.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2023.The Canadian Press

Man dies after Winnetka water rescue

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:17 GMT

WINNETKA, Ill. -- A man has died Tuesday after attempting to save a group of children swimming at Elder Beach in Winnetka.According to authorities, Winnetka's police and fire departments responded to a call at Elder Beach before 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Man in critical condition after pulled from Lincoln Park lagoon First responders report an adult male, who was part of a boating group on the lakefront, had jumped into the water to assist some kids that were tubing, struggled to swim, and drowned.He was pulled back onto the boat and CPR was started immediately. The boat made its way back to shore, at which point Winnetka medics took over CPR and provided advanced life support as the individual was transported to Northshore Evanston Hospital.The man was later pronounced dead.Stay with WGN as this story develops.