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320 evacuated after teen allegedly sets fire to Hilton hotel sofa after fight with mom, Florida officials say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:19 GMT

OCALA, Fla. (WFLA) — A 16-year-old girl was arrested Tuesday and accused of setting fire to a sofa at a Hilton hotel in Florida "after fighting with her mother," police say.Fire crews were called to a structure fire at the Hilton Ocala in Ocala, Florida, around 3:25 a.m. Upon arrival at the hotel, crews found staff evacuating all 320 guests from the building. Family’s TikTok video of ‘unsanitary’ conditions at SC hotel goes viral With the help of a thermal imaging camera, firefighters were able to identify the source of the blaze, which had "consumed a couch and scorched an adjacent wall," by the time crews could put it out."The fire was extinguished entirely within seven minutes of arrival," Ocala Fire Rescue said.(Courtesy of Ocala Fire Rescue)An investigator also responded to the hotel given the "deliberate nature" of the incident, fire officials said.Shortly after, police arrested a 16-year-old girl visiting from Peoria, Illinois, who allegedly started the fire after fighting ...

Trump records video encouraging Republicans to vote early

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:19 GMT

(The Hill) -- Former President Donald Trump recorded a video released on Wednesday encouraging Republicans to vote early, coming one week after he offered muddled messaging over the strategy.The Republican National Committee (RNC) launched a "Bank Your Vote" campaign last month in an effort to encourage Republicans to vote early. The initiative aims to educate GOP voters on absentee voting, ballot collection and in-person early voting.Trump offered his strongest support yet of early voting in a roughly 40-second video shared by the RNC."The RNC is leading the fight to help secure your vote in 2024 as well. They're fighting bad Democrat laws, putting folks on the ground to serve as poll workers and poll watchers and engaging attorneys to monitor every step of the voting process," Trump said."We must defeat the far left at their own game or our country will never recover from this disastrous crooked Biden administration. Sign up at bankyourvote.com now and join the Republican effort t...

'Weird Al' Yankovic's wife, Suzanne, alerts California officials to potentially dangerous road hazard

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:19 GMT

(KTLA) – Officials in Santa Monica, California, are working to remove a crumbling portion of the bluffs above Pacific Coast Highway after the potential hazard was noticed by Suzanne Yankovic — wife of musician "Weird Al" Yankovic — and other passersby.Suzanne Yankovic posted an Instagram video of the bluff earlier this month. It was then seen by Los Angeles County supervisors who alerted the city of Santa Monica. "I noticed this crack from the bluffs, seems precarious fyi," Suzanne Yankovic wrote in the post, tagging city officials.A portion of the Santa Monica bluffs that appears to be in danger of collapsing is seen on July 25, 2023. (KTLA)If the cliffside were to collapse, it could be catastrophic to those driving on the freeway below. Michael Jackson sexual abuse lawsuits may be revived It is unclear whether a collapse would have occurred within days or years, so officials took action right away. A crane was brought in to break apart the top portion of the unstable bluff wi...

Hot & Humid Air On The Way; Slight Risk Of Severe Weather Wednesday. Seasonal "Normal" Temps reached their peak Wednesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:19 GMT

We'll begin to see a slow decline in Chicago's normal temps. NOT TO WORRY, warm-weather enthusiasts! It's a VERY SLOW process. Normal temps will drop only 4-degrees to 80/63 over the coming 36 days by the end of August, 2023 (which begins a week from today).The daily period of daylight has been in GRADUAL DECLINE since Chicago (and the northern hemisphere's) LONGEST DAY--also the day of the "summer solstice", which marks the beginning of the astronomical summer season.There's Plenty of Warm—Even Hot—weather in the PipelineThis is a fact Chicago weather history has made quite clear over the years. But the gradual loss of daylight and the sun's slow shift to a more southerly trek across the sky each day gradually impacts temps by altering the amount of energy the sun delivers to us each day.INTERESTINGLY, Alaska-based National Weather Service climatologist Dr. Brian Brettschneider (https://twitter.com/Climatologist49) makes note of the change which begins today in a blog post in which...

The Book Burrow to dig in to new space

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:19 GMT

Author's Note: This video previously aired during KXAN's 4 p.m. show on July 7. PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The only bookstore in one Central Texas town will be able to relocate to a new space after an outpouring community and online support, according to a press release from its owner.The Book Burrow, a queer-owned bookshop in Pflugerville, sold nearly 2000 books in just under two weeks, surpassing store owner Kelsey Black's original goal by almost double.“I am blown away with all of the love and support we were shown during these past few weeks,” Black said. “I owe each person a debt of gratitude for reaching out in our time of need. I will forever be grateful for each individual who supported us, shared our posts, and volunteered their precious time to help us. Thank you for being a part of our community.”The store, previously located inside the Pflugerville wine bar Three Legged Goat, will now live at unit #G in the Pecan Street Plaza (401 W. Pecan St.). The move was necessita...

Del Valle ISD to add full-time campus security at elementary schools

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:19 GMT

DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) – The Del Valle ISD school board voted Tuesday night to add full-time security at elementary schools to meet the requirements of a new state law. The trustees voted to create the position of an Armed Safety Security Coordinator and hire nine additional district police officers. The district estimated the plan would cost $1.1 million and come from the district's General Fund which is also known as the operating budget. Trustees will vote to amend that budget in August, according to the district. The district said it had to act to fulfill the requirements of House Bill 3. That law, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in June 2023, "requires each school board must ensure at least one-armed security officer — specifically, a commissioned peace officer — is present during regular school hours at each campus", according to the agenda item posted online. Each board must determine the appropriate number of armed security officers for each district campus, the district said.Th...

Austin first responders train to respond to autonomous car incidents

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin first responders were recently trained on how to respond to incidents that involve autonomous or self-driving vehicles. The Austin Fire Department posted on social media that members of AFD, the Austin Police Department and Austin-Travis County EMS participated in training last week to help them be prepared to respond to incidents involving the cars. This comes after safety concerns were shared by some Austin drivers after two driverless Cruise cars blocked lanes of traffic in different parts of the city the same night. RELATED: Driverless cars stop traffic on Austin streets, company responds No injuries or crashes were reported as a result of the incidents, and a Cruise spokesperson said it happened because when the driverless cars are uncertain of the safest way to proceed, they will pull over and turn on their hazard lights.Within roughly the last two years, there have been 11 incidents affiliated with autonomous vehicles reported in Austin, according to...

Twins recall pitcher Josh Winder from St. Paul

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:19 GMT

The Twins recalled right-handed pitcher Josh Winder from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday morning ahead of a 12:10 p.m. first pitch against the Mariners at Target Field.A 26-year-old right-hander, Winder replaces righty Oliver Ortega on the active roster. Ortega was optioned to the Saints after taking the loss in Tuesday night’s 9-7 setback against Seattle.Winder is 0-2 with a 7.36 earned-run average, four walks and 12 strikeouts in five appearances for the Saints since July 5. In three stints with the Twins this season, he is 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA in 5⅔ innings pitched.Related ArticlesMinnesota Twins | Williams proving to be late boomer for Saints Minnesota Twins | Twins’ bullpen blows four-run lead in 9-7 loss to Mariners Minnesota Twins | John Shipley: Twins batters must keep their feet on the gas Minnesota Twins | Twins officially sign first-rounder Walker Jenkins to deal Minnesota Twins | Carlos Correa...

Five farms to visit for Adirondack Open Farm Weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:19 GMT

LEWIS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - An annual farm tour of culinary delights is set to run once again through the southern Adirondacks next weekend. The Adirondack Cuisine Trail Open Farm Weekend holds open season from Friday to Sunday, Aug. 4-6.Over three days, five food and beverage producers will be featured for special lunch options, food and drinks. Other stops along the Adirondack Cuisine Trail will also be open for business as usual, offering fresh fruit, flowers and more.Highlights for Open Farm Weekend include:Bechard's Sugar HouseSugar house tours and maple samples, including maple coffeeFriday, Aug. 4, and Sunday, Aug. 6 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. both days61 Sanger Lane, West ChazyFree eventMossbrook Roots Flower Farm & FloristMake your own flower bouquet in a jam jar at the farm's "bouquet bar"Friday, Aug. 4, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.614 Mace Chasm Road, Keeseville$12 per bouquet, jar includedOVAL Craft BrewingCraft beer on tap alongside a craft fair by Old Soul Design Shop, live music by Marcus...

Road closure announced in Johnstown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:19 GMT

JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Department of Transportation announced that State Route 29 in Johnstown will be closed beginning Thursday, July 27. The road will be closed in both directions from west of the intersection with County Road 116 to Old Sweet Road. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The closure is expected to be in place until August 31 to facilitate a culvert replacement. Eastbound traffic will be detoured from State Route 29 to State Route 10 to State Route 67 into Johnstown. Westbound traffic will follow the signed detour from Johnstown to State Route 67 to State Route 10 to State Route 29.