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Mayor Wu responds to proposal from city councilors to declare emergency in Mass & Cass area

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:18 GMT

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu responded Monday to a recent proposal from members of the Boston City Council aimed at addressing the crisis in Boston’s Mass and Cass area. In a letter Friday, four city councilors called on the city’s Public Health Commission to declare an emergency in the area near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. The letter came as stakeholders have continued to voice concerns about crime, drug use and human trafficking at the encampment of people living in and around tent structures in the area. The letter, in turn, also came after Wu introduced an ordinance which would give police the authority to remove tents. While Wu introduced the ordinance last week, it still needed to be approved by the city council, as of Monday, in a process that could take weeks. “We are all hands on deck when it comes to the type of services, treatment, housing and public safety at Mass and Cass,” Wu said this week. “Our administration, r...

Dog in a Bog: Lost Duxbury dog found after going missing for weeks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:18 GMT

A dog who had been missing for weeks in the South Shore area is recovering after being found in a boggy area, according to a non-profit.Missing Dogs Massachusetts said “Henry,” a pet dog from Duxbury, only had a few scratches on him after he was found Monday morning, following over two weeks without a sighting.On their Facebook page, the group said the rescue came after barking had been heard in a nearby neighborhood over the past two days. It later led to a resident going out and finding the dog in a nearby, boggy area.“This morning a local homeowner, Kevin, was able to safely retrieve Henry from a wet boggy area,” the group said. “Many many thanks to Kevin and Nancy and Andy and Ylana for alerting MDM of the barking. Kevin and Nancy had worked with MDM in the past with help trapping their dog. They definitely paid it forward today!”The group said Henry was expected to be OK after the ordeal and was going to be checked out by a veterinarian.

Boston reaches tentative agreement with firefighters union, Michelle Wu says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:18 GMT

The city has reached a tentative agreement with the Boston firefighters union, narrowly avoiding arbitration after “many months” of stalled negotiations.Mayor Michelle Wu said the new deal was reached Sunday night, and would take effect pending ratification from the union, Boston Firefighters Local 718.“This tentative agreement is the result of months of staying at the table together, bargaining focused on what our city needs, what communities need, and what the brave individuals who keep them safe every day need,” Wu said Monday at the Greater Boston Labor Council’s Labor Day Breakfast, where she made the announcement.Both sides declined to provide details on the terms of the agreement until a ratification vote is taken by union membership.According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the mayor agreed to a package with a 12% raise over three years, with no givebacks, a term for concessions made by a labor union.The agreement was due in part to mounting pressure presen...

Dodgers’ Julio Urias arrested on domestic violence charges: report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:18 GMT

The Dodgers’ Julio Urías was arrested Sunday in Los Angeles, reportedly on domestic violence charges for the second time since 2019.The left-handed pitcher was arrested after 11 p.m. and booked about two hours later, according to online jail records, which do not include charging information. He was released before 5 a.m. Monday on a $50,000 bond and has a Sept. 27 court date scheduled, the jail records show.Urías faces felony domestic violence charges, according to ESPN. Exposition Park’s public safety division didn’t immediately respond to a Daily News request for comment.“We are aware of an incident involving Julio Urías,” the Dodgers said in a statement Monday. “While we attempt to learn all the facts, he will not be traveling with the team. The organization has no further comment at this time.”Officers told the Associated Press the arrest took place at Exposition Park, a 160-acre campus that houses Los Angeles FC’s ...

Four more drivers arrested for suspected DUIs during Labor Day weekend: CHP

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:18 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Four more drivers have been arrested by California Highway Patrol officers on suspicion of driving under the influence in the San Diego area during the Labor Day weekend, the department said.As of Monday morning, the additional arrests bring the total number of DUIs in CHP's jurisdiction up to 15 during the department's period of maximum enforcement for the holiday.The period, which was implemented to post additional officers across the state for roadway safety, began at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1 and will continue through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4.During the weekend, law enforcement will be keeping an eye out for traffic violations while assisting motorists with getting to their destination safely. Officers will have a special emphasis on identifying and apprehending those suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, CHP said.On top of the 15 DUI arrests, CHP San Diego area officers have issued 199 citations for various vehicle code violations. ...

First-ever Del Mar Wine & Food Festival set take over parts of San Diego County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:18 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Calling all foodies and wine aficionados! An inaugural culinary festival is set to take over North County this week, bringing together celebrity star power and delicious tastings.The first-ever Del Mar Wine & Food Festival will be taking place in the North County town from Sept. 6 to Sept. 11, featuring more than 20 events that champion the region's food scene and top chefs.Founded in partnership with sports icons Alex Morgan, Drew Brees and Rob Machado, festivalgoers will be able to embark on a culinary journey that "celebrates the soul of SoCal." From Styx to Coldplay: Can’t miss concerts in San Diego this September “San Diego is the next big food and drink scene,” San Diego Magazine co-owner Troy Johnson said of the event in a release. "It’s gonna be a rare and cool thing. Celebrating the city’s food and drink culture… and just the SoCal culture overall… with the help of friends.”Kicking things off on the first day of the festival will be an opening n...

Ontario Premier shuffles cabinet after housing minister resigns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:18 GMT

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has shuffled his cabinet in the wake of the resignation of his housing minister.Steve Clark resigned earlier Monday after a scathing report from the province’s integrity commissioner.Taking his spot is Paul Calandra, who was the long-term care minister.Caroline Mulroney moves on to become president of the Treasury Board while Prabmeet Sarkaria takes over her role as transportation minister.Stan Cho takes over as long-term care minister.Ford says this is the right team to build homes, highways and public transit.

An Alaska city reinstates its police chief after felony assault charge is dropped

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:18 GMT

KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) — The police chief of a small Alaska community is back to work after a felony assault charge against him was dropped and the city cleared him in an internal investigation.Ketchikan Police Chief Jeffrey Walls returned to work Aug. 22.“He has a proven track record of keeping his community safe and of acting in the best interest of his officers and citizens; I am confident that he will continue to do so at KPD,” Ketchikan City Manager Delilah Walsh said in a statement provided to the Ketchikan Daily News announcing Walls’ reinstatement.A grand jury in December returned an indictment against Walls, charging him with felony assault along with five misdemeanors, three counts of assault and two counts of reckless endangerment, stemming from an incident at a local resort.According to court documents, Alaska State Troopers responded to the Salmon Falls Resort restaurant on Sept. 10 to investigate a report of an assault involving a man, Walls and Walls’ wife, Sharon.Tro...

Biden will nominate longtime aide who worked for the first lady to become US ambassador to UNESCO

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:18 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will nominate a longtime aide who once worked for the first lady to represent the United States at the United Nations agency devoted to education, science and culture, a White House official said Monday. The U.S. recently rejoined the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization after a five-year hiatus initiated by Biden’s immediate predecessor in the White House, Donald Trump. The Democratic president’s choice to become the U.S. permanent representative to the Paris-based UNESCO, with the rank of ambassador, is longtime aide Courtney O’Donnell, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the nomination before a formal announcement.O’Donnell currently wears two hats in the administration: She’s a senior adviser in Harris’ office and acting chief of staff for Harris’ husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, and lends her expertise to a range of national and globa...

Burning Man revelers begin exodus after flooding left tens of thousands stranded in Nevada desert

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:18 GMT

BLACK ROCK DESERT, Nev. (AP) — Muddy roads that left tens of thousands of partygoers stranded for days at a counterculture festival had dried up enough by Monday afternoon to allow them to begin their exodus from the northern Nevada desert.Burning Man organizers said they began to let traffic flow out of the main road around 2 p.m. local time — even as they continued to ask revelers to delay their exit to Tuesday to ease traffic. As of Monday afternoon, they said about 64,000 people remained at the festival site.Organizers also asked attendees not to walk out of the Black Rock Desert about 110 miles (177 kilometers) north of Reno as others had done throughout the weekend, including celebrity DJ Diplo and comedian Chris Rock. They didn’t specify why.The festival had been closed to vehicles after more than a half-inch (1.3 centimeters) of rain fell on Friday. The road closures came just before “the Man” was to be set ablaze Saturday night. The event traditionally culminates in t...