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Baseball/softball notebook: Middleboro out to close the deal

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

Behind the the return of eight of nine starters from a year ago, Middleboro is again a premier contender in Div. 3 as it enters the first week in May at 8-0.Middleboro fell in the 2022 state championship, sparking the determined start.“We have done a good job this year, coming off last year, realizing that yes we have had a great start but we have not won anything yet,” Middleboro coach Dan Sylvia said. “Our goal is to win the state championship. We’ve gotten close, but each season is new and fresh.”Over the last three years, the Sachems have been one of the top programs in Eastern Mass. In 2021, Middleboro started 19-0 before bowing out in the Div. 1 South Sectional Final. Last year came up short to Greater New Bedford. Now Sylvia is hoping all the pieces are finally in place.“These girls started in middle school when I took over six years ago,” Sylvia said. “They got two years under their belt with a coach who I trusted at the middle...

Fewer cruise lines expected to make port calls to San Diego

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The embarcadero is often packed with tourists and customers ready to enjoy the San Diego scene.“Always something else, something else to see in San Diego,” says tourist Thomas Gallagher.But what you may not see are as many cruise ships off the port of San Diego next year. New app allows nurses to pick up open shifts at short-staffed hospitals Norwegian Cruise Line is not scheduling cruises out of San Diego for the 2023 to 2024 season.“We have a lot of people from those cruise ships when they come and stop by here,” says shop worker Suhaib Ahmadi. “They come and visit our shop and they start shopping here, so if they don’t stop by here we will have fewer sales, fewer business and we will lose a lot of customers.”Norwegian is setting sail for Asia instead. Other lines expect fewer San Diego cruise calls as well. The Port of San Diego says Disney Cruise Line is shifting to Australia and Princess Cruises is also shifting to Asia as cruising opens back up there.“When Asia...

Spain is 1st Black woman to lead South Carolina Democrats

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Christale Spain, a longtime party operative, was elected Saturday as chair of South Carolina’s Democratic Party, becoming the first Black woman to lead the organization in what will be the Democrats’ leadoff presidential voting state in 2024.Spain was elected during the party’s convention Saturday in Columbia. She takes over in a wave of changes across state Democratic parties for 2024. With her election, and thanks to the party’s recent revamp of its primary schedule, four of the five states in which Democrats will vote first next year — Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and South Carolina — now have Black women chairing their state parties.Putting states with more diversity at the top of the voting calendar was a priority for President Joe Biden, who recently moved on his own reelection bid and pushed to move South Carolina — a state where he won big in 2020 — to the top of the nominating calendar.Black women are major drivers of the Democrati...

Life-size sculpture of euthanized walrus unveiled in Norway

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

HELSINKI (AP) — A walrus that became a global celebrity last year after it was seen frolicking and basking in a Oslo fjord before it was euthanized by the authorities has been honored with a bronze sculpture in Norway.The life-size sculpture by Norwegian artist Astri Tonoian was unveiled Saturday at the Oslo marina not far from the place where the actual 600-kilogram (1,300-pound) mammal was seen resting and relaxing during the summer of 2022. The walrus, named Freya, quickly become a popular attraction among Oslo residents but Norwegian authorities later made a decision to euthanize it — causing public outrage — because they said people hadn’t followed recommendations to keep a safe distance away from the massive animal.Norwegian news agency NTB said a crowdfunding campaign was kicked off last fall to finance the sculpture. The private initiative managed to gather about 270,000 Norwegian kroner ($25,000) by October, NTB said. The Associated Press

Jill Biden uses workout to honor military kids’ sacrifices

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jill Biden welcomed military families to the White House lawn Saturday for a workout complete with jumping jacks and push-ups to highlight the sacrifices children make when their parents decide to serve. “Sharing a workout might seem like a small thing,” the first lady, who was joined by Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, said to the crowd. “But when it comes to honoring our military, and veteran families, caregivers and survivors, it’s often the little things that make a difference.”The event was the latest in a series hosted by the first lady as part of Joining Forces, her White House initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers and survivors. Also this month, she opened a temporary art exhibit at the White House to help educate visitors about the lives of military children. The display of 10 mini “suitcases” designed by military and veteran children reflects their lives of frequent moves. Some of the cases are adorned with depict...

Pope in Hungary meets with Ukrainian refugees, Russian envoy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Pope Francis plunged into both sides of Russia’s war with Ukraine on Saturday, greeting some of the 2.5 million Ukrainian refugees who have fled across the border to Hungary during a public prayer service and then meeting privately with an envoy of the Russian Orthodox Church that has strongly supported the war.Francis maintained the Vatican’s tradition of diplomatic neutrality during his second day in Budapest, where he’s on a weekend visit to minister to Hungary’s Catholic faithful.Starting the day, he thanked Hungarians for welcoming Ukrainian refugees and urged them to help anyone in need. He called for a culture of charity in a country where the prime minister has justified firm anti-immigration policies with fears that migration threatens Europe’s Christian culture.Speaking in the white-brick St. Elizabeth’s church, named for a princess who renounced her wealth to care for the poor, Francis recalled that the Gospel instruc...

Crowds, high prices and the 'White Lotus' effect: Worst places to travel this summer

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Summer vacation is supposed to be about rest and relaxation. But in reality, it sometimes ends up being about overpriced tourist traps, crowded streets or delayed flights. How can you avoid that fate? We asked Clint Henderson, frequent traveler and managing editor at The Points Guy, for some guidance. First off, make sure you pick the right location to jet off to. If you're looking for peace and tranquility, there are some destinations you may want to avoid in 2023. "The 'White Lotus' effect is real," Henderson said, referring to the popular HBO series that portrays luxury travel in Hawaii and Sicily, Italy. "Pretty much anytime you put a location in a film or a popular TV series, it's going to become really popular," he explained. "In fact, it's tough to even get a hotel room sometimes now in Sicily." It's not just Sicily — The Points Guy is seeing huge demand for pretty much all European destination this year, Henderson said. Some spots have made moves to restrict...

Remembering Lee Elia's infamous rant on Cubs' fans 40 years ago Saturday

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

CHICAGO - One of the most infamous moments in the long and storied history of the "Friendly Confines" happened 40 years ago on Saturday - and it all had to do with some unfriendly words for fans.On April 29, 1983, Lee Elia, who was then the manager of the Cubs, unleashed a memorable tirade that was directed at the supporters of the team after a difficult loss to the Dodgers in a tough start to the season.With 9,391 fans in attendance at the ballpark, the Cubs lost a two-run lead in the final innings in a 4-3 defeat to Los Angeles. As the team walked down the left field line to get to the clubhouse, which they had to do in those days at Wrigley Field, fans vented their frustrations verbally and, per reports from that day, threw a few beverages at players. Perhaps that's what set Elia off on a tirade for the ages when he met with a handful of reporters in the locker room minutes later. The late Les Grobstein, a longtime radio reporter and host in Chicago, captured what would become ar...

Robbers with assault rifles hold up Tennessee bank, video shows

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) – Police in Tennessee have released surveillance video of a bank robber waving an assault rifle as he and another man hold up the First Horizon Bank in Memphis's Frayser neighborhood. Memphis police said both men were armed with assault rifles when they entered the bank on Thursday morning.In the video, one of the robbers is seen hopping over a teller's counter. Investigators said he demanded money from all of the tellers' stations afterward.(Memphis Police Department)(Memphis Police Department)The other robber approached the employees on the desk side and demanded money from a money dispenser, police said.Authorities have not disclosed how much the two were able to take from the bank.The suspects were seen leaving in a silver four-door Hyundai Elantra with with damage to the front passenger-side bumper and the rear passenger-side window. The vehicle was ultimately abandoned about a half-mile away.Police have not said if the Elantra was stolen. 78-year-old Mi...

Gophers football address roster need with Elon cornerback Tre’Von Jones

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

The Gophers football program addressed its biggest roster need on Saturday. Elon transfer cornerback Tre’Von Jones committed to Minnesota.Listed at 6 feet and 173 pounds, Jones de-commited from James Madison on Friday.“Let’s work!! #RowTheBoat,” Jones wrote on Twitter.The Warrenton, N.C. native had 29 total tackles, four pass breakups, one sack, one fumble recovery, one tackle for lost yards and no interceptions in 11 games mostly at the Football Championship Subdivision level in 2022. He has 136 tackles, 15 pass breakups, five fumble recoveries and three interceptions in 38 career games.The Gophers often looks to how small-school players perform against Power Five competition. Last season, Jones had two tackles, a pass breakup and and five punt returns for 71 yards, including a 34-yarder.Jones, who has one season of eligibility remaining, helps a position group which had only four scholarship players during spring practice. He also is a kick and punt returner.Jones played 554 snaps...