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‘Huge relief’ as Drayton Valley residents return home after wildfire evacuation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

The mayor of a west-central Alberta town said it was emotional to return home nearly two weeks after an out-of-control wildfire forced residents to flee, but thousands elsewhere remain on edge as scores of fires continue to rage across much of the West. “Just happy to be home and happy to be supporting one another and just pulling together like we always do,” Drayton Valley Mayor Nancy Dodds told a news conference Wednesday.Fire officials pointed to areas around the community, 145 kilometres southwest of Edmonton, showing how close the flames crept. People hugged each other and employees at the local grocery store as shelves were being restocked. Virtually all of the store’s meat and dairy products left behind during the evacuation had to be thrown out. “It’s a huge relief, and we’re just so thankful that our home is still standing and that everyone is OK,” said Jade Verheul, who had to quickly leave with her children on May 4. Verheul said she was luck...

Fort St. John, B.C., breathes easier as wildfire evacuation alert is lifted

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

Residents of Fort St. John in northeastern British Columbia breathed a collective sigh of relief after the city lifted its wildfire evacuation alert Wednesday, although more than 1,300 properties in the surrounding area remain under an evacuation order.Toni Chittim, who lives with her husband and three children on a property 40 kilometres north of the city, said a blaze got so close to their home on Monday that flames were visible as they drove away.“The embers from the trees were going into our yard,” she said in an interview from a hotel in Fort St. John, as her home remains off-limits in the evacuation zone.“That was a scary point.”Chittim’s house was unscathed by the fire, as were five horses on the property, she said.There were four fire trucks in the yard and firefighting helicopters overhead, on their way to drop water on the encroaching flames, she said.“I did think the house was going to be gone that night,” Chittim said. “I l...

Pathologist calls girl’s strangulation ‘certain’ after lawyer queries autopsy wording

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

VANCOUVER — A forensic pathologist said it was his “certain conclusion” that a 13-year-old girl found dead in a B.C. park six years ago died of strangulation, after her alleged killer’s lawyer asked if wording in the autopsy report left any room for doubt.Dr. Jason Morin, who performed the autopsy, testified under cross-examination Wednesday that he took swabs of the girl’s neck to preserve any DNA that might have been left by her attacker.The body of the girl, who cannot be identified under the terms of a publication ban, was found in Burnaby’s Central Park in July 2017, just hours after her mother reported her missing. Ibrahim Ali has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.Morin previously told the jury in the British Columbia Supreme Court trial that his autopsy determined the girl died after being strangled, which had caused blood vessels in her eyes and face to burst.Ali’s lawyer Ben Lynskey on Wednesday pointed to “the absence of in...

Americans urged to cancel surgeries in Mexico border city after meningitis cases, 1 death

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — State and federal health officials are warning U.S. residents to cancel planned surgeries in a Mexico border city after five people from Texas who got procedures there came back and developed suspected cases of fungal meningitis. One of them died, officials said.The five people who became ill traveled to Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, for surgical procedures that included the use of an epidural, an anesthetic injected near the spinal column, the Texas Department of State Health Services said Tuesday. Four remain hospitalized, and one of them later died.Those who became ill range in age from 30 to 50 years old, the department said.The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory Tuesday for U.S. residents seeking medical care in Matamoros. Meningitis is the swelling of the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord and should be treated urgently. Symptoms include fever, headache, a stiff neck, nausea, vomi...

Fire crews battling ‘toxic’ blaze on site of roofing company near Ashbridges Bay

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

A large tank on fire is spewing toxic fumes into the area near Ashbridges Bay.Fire crews were called to CanRoof Corporation on Commissioners Street between Carlaw Avenue and Leslie Street just after 7 p.m. for reports of a fire. An asphalt holding tank on the exterior of the building is on fire and officials says the air in the area is toxic from the burning material.Officials tell CityNews they are using firefighting foam as they attempt to bring the blaze under control. No injuries have been reported at this time.According to the company’s website, CanRoof is a global leader in the manufacture and supply of residential and commercial roofing products, waterproofing, insulation systems and accessories.

'She lived her life fearlessly': Fallen Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston laid to rest

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

CHICAGO — Family and friends shared a complete picture of fallen Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston's life on Wednesday, remembering the 24-year-old's sincerity, outgoing personality and fearlessness. The familiar yet somber tone of bagpipes filled the air outside the 95th Street Church Wednesday morning as her coffin passed by hundreds of fellow officers, who stood saluting their fallen colleague.Once inside, fellow officers, elected officials, loved ones and family paid their last respects to someone many described as warm and intelligent with a contagious smile.  Funeral services held Wednesday for slain CPD officer Aréanah Preston "For Aréanah's life to be cut short as she was living her dream, it doesn’t seem fair," said former CPD interim Supt. Eric Carter.Over two hours, mourners shared tales of a woman who was small in stature but big in personality. Preston was someone who loved the color yellow and sunflowers. Many described her as a young person who was genuinely a ...

IHOP launches pancake-inspired coffee

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

CHICAGO (WTAJ) — If you've ever wanted coffee to taste like your breakfast, IHOP has you covered. Pancake-inspired IHOP indulgent coffee is available across the country for the first time through their partnership with Kraft Heinz. The IHOP Coffee is made with 100% premium arabica beans and comes in three unique flavors.Photo Courtesy: IHOP/ Amy RozenzeweigSignature Blend for a rich and smooth medium finishButtery Syrup to immerse your tastebuds in delicious syrupy pancakesChocolate Chocolate Chip featuring an indulgent fudgy chocolate flavor"With more than 56 million cups of coffee sold per year, it only made sense to bring the joy of our coffee to retailers nationwide with innovative flavors inspired by our best-selling pancakes,” Kieran Donahue, Chief Marketing Officer, IHOP® said. “Kraft Heinz is the perfect partner to bring our iconic flavors to our guests and help serve up joy each morning with IHOP® Coffee as part of our fans’ morning routines.” Wendy’s iconic chili coming ...

10 hikers lost near 'Last Chance Trail' in California rescued thanks to iPhone feature

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KTLA) – Authorities rescued 10 hikers after they were reported missing in Southern California's Santa Paula Canyon earlier this week.On May 12, the group of hikers went missing near the Last Chance Trail area around 8 p.m., according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.When the group failed to return, guardians for the hikers contacted deputies to report the group as missing and possibly in need of assistance.Authorities later received a text from the hikers who said they were unable to find their way back from the canyon. Woman’s death at Yellowstone under investigation, man arrested The hikers were able to contact dispatch through the Apple Emergency SOS feature and provided authorities with “valuable information such as a possible location and if immediate medical aid was needed.”Thirteen members from the Upper Ojai Search and Rescue Team responded to the trailhead to begin their search.Rescue crews hiked approximately four miles into the Santa Paula C...

Likelihood that Earth briefly hits key warming threshold grows bigger and closer, UN forecasts

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

(AP) - There's a two-out-of-three chance that the world will temporarily hit a key warming limit within the next five years, the United Nations weather agency said Wednesday.But it likely would only be a fleeting and less worrisome flirtation with the internationally agreed upon temperature threshold. Scientists expect a temporary burst of heat from El Nino — a naturally-occurring weather phenomenon — to supercharge human-caused warming from the burning of coal, oil and gas to new heights. Temperatures are expected to then slip back down a bit.The World Meteorological Organization forecasts a 66% likelihood that between now and 2027, the globe will have a year that averages 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the mid-19th century.That number is critical because the 2015 Paris climate agreement set 1.5 degrees Celsius as a global guardrail in atmospheric warming, with countries pledging to try to prevent that much long-term warming if pos...

What did DPS arrest people for in Austin?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) report obtained by KXAN outlines the more than 17,000 traffic stops and nearly 700 arrests DPS made in Travis County between March 30 and May 6.On March 30, DPS began the Austin Violent Crimes Task Force (ACVTF) project to assist Austin Police (APD) with crime-curbing efforts amid an APD staffing shortage.The program is currently on pause as troopers assist with border-protection efforts, but is expected to return. Looking through a set of about 300 trooper arrests, the majority of arrests for possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces. In about 70% of those cases, people also had more serious violations or warrants out for their arrests. So in about 30% of those cases, marijuana possession was the only charge. "We haven't had a Class B marijuana charge since around the time COVID started," said defense attorney Benjamin Gergen. "And now we've seen 5-10 in the last month alone. And again, those are cases where we're basicall...