Thousands under evacuation orders and some homes burn as wildfires race through Washington state

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:36:12 GMT

Thousands under evacuation orders and some homes burn as wildfires race through Washington state SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Fast-moving wildfires raced through Washington state on Friday, burning some homes and prompting evacuation orders for thousands of people in small rural communities.One of the largest blazes, the so-called Gray Fire near Spokane in eastern Washington, began around noon and a few hours later had surged through 4.7 square miles (12 square kilometers) of grass, timber and wheat, pushed by 35-mph (56-kph) winds, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.Level 3, or “Go Now,” evacuations were issued for Medical Lake, a community of about 4,800 people and some homes and other buildings had burned, authorities said, although it wasn’t clear how many.National Guard troops were called in to help evacuate patients and staff from Eastern State Hospital, a 367-bed psychiatric facility in Medical Lake.Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said deputies were “running from house to house” urging people to leave their homes, NBC News reported.“We’ve...

Rochester woman pleads guilty in Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:36:12 GMT

Rochester woman pleads guilty in Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol A Rochester, Minn., woman pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony civil disorder charge for her role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.Appearing in a Washington, D.C., federal courtroom, Victoria Charity White, 41, admitted to helping hoist up a fellow rioter outside the Capitol, who then made his way to a tunnel entrance and kicked police. About 25 minutes later, Metropolitan Police arrested White after she and others tried to push through a line of officers.Federal prosecutors have charged more than 1,100 people nationwide, including a dozen Minnesotans, in connection with Donald Trump’s last-ditch attempt to remain in power by disrupting the counting of electoral votes.White is the fifth Minnesota resident to be convicted in connection with the assault.As part of a plea deal, White agreed to pay $2,000 in restitution. She also agreed to sentencing guidelines that call for a prison term of up to six months, but Judge John D. Bates will make the final determination ...

Pablo López extends scoreless streak to 19 innings in win over Pirates

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:36:12 GMT

Pablo López extends scoreless streak to 19 innings in win over Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates became the latest team to learn what the Cardinals, Tigers and Phillies gleaned earlier this month: it’s really hard to score off Pablo López these days.The starter threw another six shutout innings on Friday — stretching his streak to 19 consecutive scoreless, a career high — in the Twins’ 5-1 win over the Pirates on Friday night at Target Field.The effort marked López’s third straight scoreless game. The starter has now thrown 25 innings in the month of August and has given up just one run (0.36 earned-run average). He has fanned 27 batters in that frame and walked just three.“He’s doing everything at a very high level,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “The strike-throwing, all the offspeed pitches, I mean the changeup was really good today. Everything was really good today. When he needed it, he went to many, many different pitches, made a few in-game adjustments mechanically. … He’s doing it all right now is what he’s doing.”It wasn’t López’s most domin...

Pine Lawn residents cry foul, call code enforcement actions a 'money grab'

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:36:12 GMT

Pine Lawn residents cry foul, call code enforcement actions a 'money grab' PINE LAWN, Mo. - Citizens and aldermen in Pine Lawn call the latest code enforcement action a "money grab."The FOX Files reported Wednesday how citizens on one street were getting code violation notices, no matter the condition of their home. Now we’re finding that some residents are getting bills to the tune of hundreds of dollars. One school cafeteria worker received a bill for $361. Jennings mayor counters hostile workplace allegations amid employee resignations 87-year-old Leroy Cannon, in the middle of rehab, got a bill for $277. He pointed to his deck, saying, “They’re working on it, but I got written up for chipped paint. And they ain’t through painting.”Cannon didn’t think his grass was overgrown, but he mowed it right after getting a violation sticker. Yet he still got a letter later saying, “Fees due the City of Pine Lawn. $277.50.”The breakdown includes:$59 for high grass and a $33.50 processing fee$59 for overgrown vegetation and a $33.50 processing fee$59 for chipped ...

St. Louis Blues Warrior Hockey player aids unresponsive passenger during flight

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:36:12 GMT

St. Louis Blues Warrior Hockey player aids unresponsive passenger during flight ST. LOUIS - One member of the St. Louis Blues Warrior Hockey team came to the rescue of an unresponsive airline passenger Friday. Team members were on a flight to New York for a tournament when the call went out to passengers asking if anyone onboard had medical experience. Help was needed because one passenger was unresponsive. A look back at the rides that made Six Flags St. Louis Greg Burian, an Air Force veteran and member of the Warrior Hockey organization, is also a nurse with Veterans Affairs. He responded and applied some oxygen to help a woman in need."Even when it comes to hockey, when you see a player get hurt, you really don’t think about it," said Burian. "You just want to go out there and help when you can, so i just kind of had that programmed in the back of my mind from my military training and nurse training. When somebody needed help, I just wanted to do what I could to help out with the situation."Burian hopes the woman is doing fine. The St. Louis Blues Warrior...

Cardinals Hall of Fame welcomes two new members this weekend

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:36:12 GMT

Cardinals Hall of Fame welcomes two new members this weekend ST. LOUIS - While the St. Louis Cardinals have struggled this season, this weekend is all about celebrating those who helped the franchise build its legacy. Just outside of Busch Stadium, you'll find the Cardinals Walk of Fame, full of iconic baseball names. "You can hear and feel the love the Cardinals Nation has for those players," said Cardinals fan Richard Moulton.This year, two more names are coming into focus: José Oquendo and Max Lanier. Both will officially join the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame on Sunday. Cardinals promote star prospect Masyn Winn Oquendo has spent decades in the organization as a player and a coach. Nicknamed "The Secret Weapon" during his Cardinals career, Oquendo is one of few big-leaguers to play all nine positions and just one of five to do so in a single game. "I'm glad to hear he's going in the Hall of Fame," said fan Blake Willoughby. "He's kinda like Mr. Cardinal to tell you the truth," said fan Phil Cannon. "What a spark plug he was." "They ...

Masyn Winn singles in debut, Cardinals fall 7-1 to Mets

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:36:12 GMT

Masyn Winn singles in debut, Cardinals fall 7-1 to Mets ST. LOUIS (AP) — Brandon Nimmo hit a leadoff home run, Jeff McNeil had a three-run shot and the New York Mets beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-1 on Friday night for their third straight victory.Joey Lucchesi (2-0) allowed four hits, walked two and struck out five in 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his first major league start since May 13 at Washington.Nimmo drove the third pitch he saw from Zack Thompson (2-5) into the center-field bleachers for his 18th home run. It was his fourth leadoff home run this season and the 11th of his career, and gave him a 10-game hitting streak.Thompson allowed two runs on six hits and walked a batter in five innings in his second major league start of the season for the Cardinals. They dropped their third straight.Francisco Lindor hit a two-out single, advanced to second when Francisco Alvarez walked and scored on Jeff McNeil's single up the middle to expand the Mets' lead to 2-0 in the third inning.McNeil hit his sixth home run of the season to right field...

Colorado high school football scoreboard: Week 0

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:36:12 GMT

Colorado high school football scoreboard: Week 0 Friday night scoresBasalt 28, Summit 0Chatfield 49, Taylorsville 0Monarch 22, Boulder 7Pueblo West 32, Grand Junction 0Ralston Valley 13, Mountain Vista 7

Rockies rout White Sox behind Peter Lambert’s seven strong innings, prolific offense

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:36:12 GMT

Rockies rout White Sox behind Peter Lambert’s seven strong innings, prolific offense The first pitch Peter Lambert threw Friday night was a 90.6 mph meatball over the heart of the plate. White Sox shortstop Elvis Andrus smacked his lips, took a big swing and sent the ball 439 feet to center for a leadoff homer.It looked like it might be one of those games for Lambet. Except that it wasn’t.Cushioned cushioned by a prolific night from the Rockies’ offense, as well as stellar backing from his defense, Lambert was superb in the Rockies 14-1 victory at Coors Field.Colorado’s 13-run victory margin was its largest since Sept. 26, 2018 when it beat Philadelphia, 14-0.Over seven innings, Lambert allowed one run on four hits, struck out five and walked just one. He needed 85 pitches (49 strikes) to complete his night’s work.Asked about giving up a homer on his first pitch, Lambert replied, “It’s a pretty (crummy) feeling, I’ll be honest. You just have to lock it in and move on. You can’t think about it too much.”Friday mar...

Aquarium of the Pacific mourns death of 'Fisher' the Magellanic penguin

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:36:12 GMT

Aquarium of the Pacific mourns death of 'Fisher' the Magellanic penguin Staff at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach are mourning the death of a Magellanic penguin, who died earlier this week after a brief illness."Fisher" was born at the Aquarium in 2016 and and became a spirited penguin with a personality described as curious and easy-going.""[He] had a sweet and gentle nature about him,” said Brett Long, senior director of mammals and birds at the Aquarium of the Pacific.Fisher, a penguin at the Aquarium of the Pacific, died Aug. 16, 2023 after a brief illness. (Aquarium of the Pacific/Robin Riggs)In the last week, the penguin began showing symptoms of lethargy and decreased appetite. He was under close watch by the Aquarium staff, but died on Wednesday.Testing of Fisher indicated he likely was suffering from an infection of avian malaria, a serious disease in penguins for which all of the Aquarium's residents are preventatively treated. Fisher also received the year-round preventative medication as a precautionary measure, but breakthrough cas...