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Hydropower deal faces increased costs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:27 GMT

PORTLAND, Maine — Partners on a $1 billion project aimed at bringing Canadian hydropower to the New England power grid are trying to sort out how cost increases during lengthy litigation will be shared, in hopes of getting the stalled project moving.A provision in a spending bill approved Thursday by the Massachusetts House would open the door to a renegotiation of the transmission project between the developers and Massachusetts utilities. The original contract called for the project to be funded entirely by Massachusetts ratepayers; negotiations would determine how any additional costs would be shared.Lauren Diggin from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources said she was thankful to the House for including language needed to jump-start the so-called New England Clean Energy Connect.“Completion of the NECEC line is important for Massachusetts customers. This project will help stabilize our electric rates, provide clean, reliable winter energy supply, and reduce the ...

Mountain biker dies while trying to save dehydrated hikers in Jacumba

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:27 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A mountain biker died Saturday while trying to save four hikers who were found suffering from dehydration in Jacumba, Cal Fire confirmed.A call came in around 2:45 p.m. reporting at least 7 people in heat distress at Carrizo Gorge, officials said. Cal Fire ground crews and sheriff's helicopter were called to assist.Upon arrival, Cal Fire says there were four hikers at least five miles away from the trailhead. The hikers had been rescued with the assistance of three mountain bikers who happened to be in the area. Two of those mountain bikers were present at this time. Popular night market returns to San Diego The sheriff's helicopter was used to transport the hikers from the trail. They were evaluated by paramedics and all refused transport to a hospital, Cal Fire explained.Meanwhile, officials say the third mountain biker was found a short time later at the quarter marker past the trail head. The individual was was carried out and placed into an air conditioned vehicl...

Firefighters battle vegetation fire in Valley Center

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:27 GMT

VALLEY CENTER, Calif. -- A vegetation fire ignited in the Valley Center area on Sunday, according to the San Diego County Fire Protection District Communications Bureau.In a tweet at 11:09 a.m., Cal Fire officials reported crews were on the scene of a 10-acre vegetation fire off Lilcac Road, north of Couser Canyon Road. San Diego firefighters helping battle Riverside County wildfires Fire officials noted, there was a potential of 50 acres with two structures threatened.An update was posted at 11:48 a.m., stating the fire had been stopped at eight acres with only one out building destroyed. Cal Fire officials say crews will remain on scene to mop-up and strengthen the control lines.Firefighters battle a vegetation fire in Valley Center. (Photo: CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire Protection District Communications Bureau)There is no longer an active fire threat in this area.

Canada sees 100,000 square kilometres burned this record-breaking wildfire season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:27 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada’s record-breaking wildfire season has now seen 100,000 square kilometres of land scorched as blazes continue to burn out of control across the entire country.The total area burned is roughly the size of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and Lake Michigan combined. “There are some very, very large fires still burning and a number of them are out of control so that number is going to continue to rise,” Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair said in an interview Thursday of the vast amount of land that’s burned.Canada surpassed the record set in 1989 for total area burned in one season on June 27 when the figure totalled 76,000 square kilometres, and communities have faced evacuation orders, heat warnings and poor air quality for months.The majority of blazes are now in Western Canada, and British Columbia has the greatest number, with more than 370 of the country’s 878 active fires, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre data shows.More than ha...

Novak Djokovic rues his missed chances after losing a highly entertaining Wimbledon final in 5 sets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:27 GMT

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Regrets? Novak Djokovic has two.There was that tiebreaker pretty early in the Wimbledon final on Sunday, when the 36-year-old Serb was one point from taking a two-sets-to-none lead over his 20-year-old opponent, Carlos Alcaraz.And then there was that missed volley on break point early in the fifth set with all the momentum at that stage going the seven-time Wimbledon champion’s way.“Some regrets,” Djokovic said after losing 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in a high-energy and highly entertaining championship match on Centre Court. “I had my chances. I think I could have closed out that second-set tiebreaker better. But credit to him for fighting and showing some incredible defensive skills, passing shots that got him the break in the fifth.“He was a deserved winner today, no doubt.”Djokovic has been a deserved winner on so many occasions in the past. Seven times right here at the All England Club, where he was one victory from matching R...

Heavy rains swamp Northeast again as flash flooding claims at least 4 lives in Pennsylvania

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:27 GMT

WASHINGTON CROSSING, Pa. (AP) — Heavy rains pounded an already saturated Northeast on Sunday for the second time in a week, spurring another round of flash flooding, cancelled airline flights and power outages. In Pennsylvania, a sudden flash flood late Saturday afternoon claimed at least four lives.Officials in Bucks County’s Upper Makefield Township in Pennsylvania said torrential rains occurred around 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the Washington Crossing area, sweeping away several cars. At least four people died and three others, including a 9-month-old boy and a 2-year-old girl, remained missing, authorities said.Other parts of the East Coast were experiencing heavy rain, including Vermont. Authorities there said landslides could become a problem Sunday as the state copes with more rain following days of flooding.“My team and I continue to monitor the situation as more rain falls in Vermont. There are flash flood warnings throughout the state today. Remain vigilant and be prepare...

Tour de France teams ask fans to behave better after mass pile-up in 15th stage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:27 GMT

SAINT-GERVAIS MONT-BLANC, France (AP) — Tour de France overall leader Jonas Vingegaard is calling on fans to behave better at cycling’s biggest race after another mass crash marred the 15th stage on Sunday.“I’d like to tell the spectators to enjoy the race and be there to cheer for us without standing on the road or pouring beers on us,” Vingegaard said. “Please, just enjoy the race.”The Danish rider leads Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia by only 10 seconds with the race about to enter its final week.The incident, which involved around two dozen riders, led to appeals from several teams at the Tour.“Please be careful. So that the party remains a party for the riders, but also for you. You don’t need a cell phone to create mind-blowing memories,” the Cofidis team said amid unverified reports that the spectator who caused the crash was taking a selfie.The Ineos Grenadiers team said “please give the riders room to race.” A day after a big pile-up forced several riders to abandon, ...

Christian Lundgaard wins Honda Indy Toronto

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:27 GMT

Christian Lundgaard has won the Honda Indy Toronto.It is Lundgaard’s first victory of the IndyCar season.The Dane started the race on the pole but ultimately won because of a failed strategic gamble by Scott McLaughlin and Scott Dixon.IndyCar seasons standings leader Alex Palou took second despite starting 15th on the grid and a damaged front wing.Colton Herta was third for his first podium of the season.Toronto’s Devlin DeFrancesco, the only Canadian driver in IndyCar this season, exited the race after 10 laps due to a mechanical failure.Palou had won three of the past four races on the North American open-wheel circuit’s schedule, but started 15th after an early exit from qualifying. His podium finish Sunday padded his lead in the season’s standings ahead of Dixon, his Chip Ganassi Racing teammate.Dixon, the defending Honda Indy Toronto champion, started seventh on the grid and even led for several laps but finished fourth after his team miscalculated when ...

Wildfire firefighter dies in NWT; 2nd Canadian firefighter death in a week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:27 GMT

A firefighter has died while battling a wildfire near his home community in the Northwest Territories — the second Canadian wildfire firefighter death in a week.The territorial government issued a statement saying the firefighter from Fort Liard died from an injury sustained while battling a nearby blaze on Saturday afternoon.Wildfire Information Officer Jessica Davey-Quantick says the firefighter was involved in combatting a fire that started July 7 in the Fort Liard District and is currently about 11 kilometres southwest of the town.Related Articles:Almost 80 evacuation orders, alerts across B.C. as wildfires burnSmoky skies for much of B.C. as 360 wildfires continue to burnMilitary mobilized to help in B.C. wildfire fightShe says no other information about the firefighter will be provided until family members have been notified.We’re mourning the loss of a second firefighter who was injured while protecting his community.This will be felt by the firefighting community in th...

Missing Ohio State student found dead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:27 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A master's degree student at Ohio State University who went missing in June was found dead, according to a statement from her family.Amina Alhaj-Omar, 25, was initially reported missing on June 10 and was last seen near Interstate 270 and U.S. Route 23 on the south side of Columbus. Police said they found her car abandoned in the area with minor damage. On Sunday, the family said her body had been found earlier in the week. “On Wednesday afternoon we received a call from the Franklin County detectives when they later came to our home and informed the family that they had found Amina’s body in the quarry behind the BP gas station on S High Street where she was last seen," the statement read. "We are unaware of the details at this time as we have not yet received the autopsy report. We would like to ask the public for their prayers for Amina.”Police confirmed Sunday that Alhaj-Omar's body was found on July 12."Officers found the body of the 25-year-old in a r...