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Christmas canceled in Bethlehem as fighting continues between Israel and Hamas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:02:11 GMT

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — The typically bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus resembled a ghost town Sunday after Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem were called off due to the Israel-Hamas war.The festive lights and Christmas tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists and jubilant youth marching bands that gather in the West Bank town each year to mark the holiday. Dozens of Palestinian security forces patrolled the empty square.“This year, without the Christmas tree and without lights, there’s just darkness,” said Brother John Vinh, a Franciscan monk from Vietnam who has lived in Jerusalem for six years.Vinh said he always comes to Bethlehem to mark Christmas, but this year was especially sobering. He gazed at a nativity scene in Manger Square with a baby Jesus wrapped in a white shroud, reminiscent of the thousands of children killed in the fighting in Gaza.Barbed wire surrounded the scene, the grey rubble reflecting...

Beautiful Christmas Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:02:11 GMT

It was a foggy start this morning but we broke into sunshine and it set up a BEAUTIFUL Christmas Day today (outside of not having a White Christmas). This was one of the nicest Christmases we’ve had in a long time! In 2020 we had a high of 60° but it came with drenching rain, so it really wasn’t that nice, despite what the temperature might suggest.Tonight watch for more fog to develop once again. Temperatures should stay safely above freezing so I’m not worried about freezing drizzle or mist or anything like that. But if you do hit the road for late travel tonight or early tomorrow remember those headlights and take it slow for some of those more dense pockets.Tomorrow is another foggy start but we’ll get at least some peeks of sunshine in the afternoon. Maybe not quite as much sun as today but I think we’ll see some. Temperatures will still be mild tomorrow and we’ll stay dry for any post holiday travel.Temperatures gradually step down through t...

Shuttle buses replace trains between some Red Line stops due to fire department, power department activity 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:02:11 GMT

Shuttle buses replaced trains between some MBTA Red Line stops Monday due to fire department and power department activity on tracks, the T said. The MBTA announced disruptions in a series of posts on X, first reporting delays of approximately 15 minutes “due to reports of smoke” near Shawmut station around 11:45 a.m.The T in an update said shuttle buses were continuing to replace trains between Ashmont and JFK/UMass stations as of around 2:30 p.m. while power department crews inspected affected areas. The T in a separate incident reported disruptions on the Mattapan Trolley beginning around 1:45 p.m. due to power department activity on tracks. Officials said shuttle buses were still replacing trains in the area as of around 2:30 p.m. While the T did not share further information on either of the disruptions impacting Red Line service Monday, fire crews were spotted at work around Shawmut station. The T has advised riders to expect delays. 

‘Good prevails over evil’ at South Boston shop Love Child after robbery before Christmas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:02:11 GMT

The holiday was like a “Hallmark Christmas movie” for one Southie retail shop after a reported robbery and a chance encounter between the store’s owners and a neighbor led to a record sales day for the small business.The “roller coaster” began Friday evening when a teenage girl wearing a blue surgical mask ran into Love Child — a home decor and liquor store on West Broadway — and allegedly stole three bottles of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, a Boston Police spokesperson told the Herald on Monday.The girl ran out the door and took off with a man, whom authorities said was at least 18 years old, on a moped toward the Broadway T stop.Boston Police responded to a report of the larceny at around 7:45 p.m.As the dramatic scene unfolded, employees — organizing baskets in the store at the time — called co-founder Colleen Dunleavy who was about to dine at Capo Restaurant, a block away, and informed her of the incident.By serendipity, it turns out Dunleavy r...

Man seriously injured after downtown Toronto stabbing, seeks help at pharmacy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:02:11 GMT

A man has been rushed to a hospital with serious injuries after a stabbing in downtown Toronto on Christmas day.Emergency crews were called to the corner of Yonge and Charles streets at around 3:45 p.m. after the victim walked into a pharmacy looking for help.A Toronto Paramedic Services spokesperson said the victim was in serious, but stable condition.In an update on social media, Toronto police officers said it’s believed the incident happened at a parking lot on Charles Street.As of Monday afternoon, investigators didn’t release suspect information.STABBING: UPDATEYonge St + Charles St– Police are on scene investigating– Scene located at a parking lot on Charles St. East– The victim has been transported to hospital via emergency run with serious injuries– Yonge St is closed from Irwin to Bloor^lb— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) December 25, 2023

Search continues for girl who fell in Quebec river, police asking for public’s help

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:02:11 GMT

DOLBEAU-MISTASSINI, Que. — Quebec provincial police are asking for the public’s help to find a four-year-old girl who has been missing since she fell into a river in a region north of Quebec City on Friday.The child was sledding with her mother in Dolbeau-Mistassini, Que. Friday afternoon when she passed through a safety barrier and fell into the Mistassibi River.Police have been searching for the girl ever since, only pausing their efforts on Saturday and Sunday evenings for security reasons as darkness fell.With permission from the girl’s family, the provincial police force on Monday released a photo of the clothes she was wearing at the time of the incident. The photo shows a rainbow-pattern coat, violet snow pants, pale blue gloves and what appear to be black boots with white soles. The child’s face is not visible in the photo and police have not released her name.Police are asking people who live or travel along the Mistassibi River to contact authorities if t...

Broncos releasing safety Kareem Jackson, source says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:02:11 GMT

Kareem Jackson’s time with the Denver Broncos is now in limbo.The franchise is releasing the veteran safety on Monday, according to a league source, a day after Denver’s playoff hopes took a serious blow with a 26-23 loss to the New England Patriots.Jackson will be available to any NFL team on the waiver wire for 24 hours. If he goes unclaimed, the Broncos are expected to sign him back to their practice squad, according to the league source. The team has had conversations with Jackson about the process over the past few days.Related ArticlesDenver Broncos | Jonathon Cooper after Broncos’ loss to Patriots torpedoes playoff chances: “We had everything to play for” Denver Broncos | Broncos report card: So many little failures add up to one big stinker for Sean Payton’s team Denver Broncos | The Patriots looked content with overtime. Broncos coach Sean Payton took timeouts until they considered something else. Denve...

Wood burning ban for Southern California extended another day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:02:11 GMT

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has announced that wood-burning restrictions originally issued for Monday in Southern California will now be extended through Tuesday.AQMD managers announced the Christmas Day No-Burn Alert due to an anticipated spike in particulate air pollution, which includes smoke, car exhaust, dust, soot and pollen, the district said.As of midday Monday, smog measurements were generally in the “good” to “moderate” range, according to the AQMD’s map on KTLA.com.The burning ban covers everyone living in the South Coast Air Basin, including Orange County, non-desert areas of Los Angeles County, Riverside and San Bernadino counties, through Dec. 26. It prohibits burning wood as well as manufactured fire logs unless your home relies solely on wood for heat, the district said.A map showing the areas of Southern California covered by a No-Burn Alert for Christmas Day and Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. (South Coast AQMD)Mountain communities above 3,000 feet in e...

Air district asks Bay Area residents not to burn wood over Christmas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:02:11 GMT

(BCN) -- The Bay Area Air Quality Management District asks Bay Area residents to refrain from burning wood in their fireplaces or woodstoves over the Christmas holiday to keep air quality from becoming unhealthy. The district said Sunday that gathering around a fireplace may be a Christmas tradition for many, but there are serious health impacts associated with wood burning. Salvation Army holds its Christmas meal program Without additional wood burning activity, air quality is expected to be in the moderate range throughout the Bay Area on Monday. However, wood burning during the Christmas holiday can significantly impact localized areas and neighborhoods. Wood burning can also significantly impact indoor air quality. A Spare the Air Alert is not in effect and wood burning is not illegal. However, wood burning is strongly discouraged at this time. The district said decorative wrapping paper is manufactured using synthetic inks, plastic film, metallic finishes and other chemica...

Man arrested for possession of unregistered firearm after traffic stop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:02:11 GMT

(BCN) -- A 24-year-old man was arrested in Santa Rosa on Saturday night after a traffic stop revealed an unregistered firearm in his possession, police said.Around 10 p.m., officers pulled over a BMW sedan for a suspended registration in the area of Todd Road and Moorland Avenue, according to Santa Rosa police.A probable cause search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a handgun in a red satchel bag.The gun did not have a serial number and was not registered as required by law, so the 24-year-old Santa Rosa resident was arrested on suspicion of possession of a loaded and unregistered firearm as well as carrying a loaded and concealed firearm while in a vehicle, police said.Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.