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Community reacts with Etobicoke batting cages, go-kart track to close in November

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 GMT

A popular park in Etobicoke is on the verge of a significant makeover.A section of Centennial Park has been attracting residents for years due to its go-kart track and historic batting cages. The buzz of activity along the go-kart track and the excitement seen on children’s faces indicate how precious this place has been to Etobicoke and locals.The private owners of public lands have been informed it’s time to hit the brakes to make room for other amenities as part of a new “Centennial Park Master Plan,” which the city updated in 2021. It’s described as implementing park improvements in a phased approach.The batting cages and beach volleyball courts will soon make way for a larger baseball complex with four fields, while the small ski hills nearby will be transformed into hiking and skating trails. Indigenous elements will also be incorporated into the outdoor spaces alongside new playgrounds.The proposed facilities include a cricket pitch, multi-use an...

Kansas reporter files federal lawsuit against police chief who raided her newspaper’s office

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 GMT

One of the reporters who works at the small Kansas newspaper that was raided by authorities earlier this month filed a federal lawsuit against the police chief Wednesday.Deb Gruver believes Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody violated her constitutional rights when he abruptly snatched her personal cellphone out of her hands during a search where officers also seized computers from the Marion County Record’s office, according to the lawsuit. That Aug. 11 search and two others conducted at the homes of the newspaper’s publisher and a City Council member have thrust the town into the center of a debate over the press protections in the First Amendment.Cody didn’t immediately respond to an email or text message from The Associated Press on Wednesday seeking comment. He has said little publicly since the raids. In court documents he filed to get the search warrants, he argued that he had probable cause to believe the newspaper and City Council member Ruth Herbel, whose hom...

Hurricane Idalia hits Florida with 125 mph winds, flooding streets, snapping trees and cutting power

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 GMT

PERRY, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Idalia tore into Florida at the speed of a fast-moving train Wednesday, splitting trees in half, ripping roofs off hotels and turning small cars into boats before sweeping into Georgia as a still-powerful storm that flooded roadways and sent residents running for higher ground. “All hell broke loose,” said Belond Thomas of Perry, a mill town located just inland from the Big Bend region where Idalia came ashore. Thomas fled with her family and some friends to a motel, thinking it would be safer than riding out the storm at home. But as Idalia’s eye passed over about 8:30 a.m., a loud whistling noise pierced the air and the high winds ripped the building’s roof off, sending debris down on her pregnant daughter, who was lying in bed. Fortunately, she was not injured.“It was frightening,” Thomas said. “Things were just going so fast. … Everything was spinning.”After coming ashore, Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach at 7:45 a.m. as...

Less than one in five federally funded EV charging stations are operational: new data

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 GMT

OTTAWA — Two different federal infrastructure programs have provided funding for more than 43,000 electric vehicle chargers since 2016, but fewer than one in five of them are actually operational, new data show.The information provided by Natural Resources Canada came as Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson visited Quebec City Wednesday to announce another $25 million to fund 1,500 EV chargers in Quebec.That announcement is the latest in a constant stream of EV charging announcements in local communities across Canada, as the government aims to help build 84,500 chargers by 2029.Natural Resources Canada launched an initial program to fund up to half the cost of installing public fast EV chargers, natural gas stations and hydrogen refuelling centres in 2016. Three years later, it introduced a second program expanding the scope to include additional types of chargers.Data supplied by the department upon request say 43,046 chargers have been funded through both programs, but only 7,644 a...

Sauce Gardner voted top cornerback by panel of AP Pro Football Writers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 GMT

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner piled up plenty of awards in an impressive rookie season for the New York Jets.Gardner became the first rookie cornerback to earn All-Pro honors in 41 years. He was the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. He even had a sauce named after him by Buffalo Wild Wings.Gardner, who was named the NFL’s top cornerback by The Associated Press, is striving to be even better this season.“Everything I did already, I gotta put more work into it,” Gardner said on the AP Pro Football Podcast. “There’s going to be somebody working as hard as I worked last year. I have to take it to the next level.”A panel of nine AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at cornerback, making their selections based on current status entering the 2023 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Gardner got six first-place votes. Patrick Surtain II, Jalen Ramsey and Jaire Alexander received the other three. 1. SAUCE GARD...

Justin Jefferson selected top wide receiver by panel of AP Pro Football Writers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 GMT

Justin Jefferson has been setting records and terrifying defenses since the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.The All-Pro wide receiver already broke four franchise records, including surpassing Hall of Famers Cris Carter and Randy Moss for receptions and yards in a single season. He not only holds the NFL record for most 100-yard receiving games (24) in a player’s first three seasons, but will also have the most through four seasons even if he doesn’t have one such game in 2023.Jefferson became the youngest player in NFL history to lead the league in yards and receptions last season on his way to earning the AP Offensive Player of the Year award.It’s no surprise Jefferson was voted No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL by The Associated Press.A panel of nine AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at wide receiver, making their selections based on current status entering the 2023 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second throu...

Hammond police investigating claims officer was asleep while on duty

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 GMT

HAMMOND, Ind. — Police in Hammond said Tuesday that the department is aware of a video circulating on social media that allegedly shows an officer asleep while on duty in a squad vehicle. Hammond passes ordinance that will close all gas stations overnight "We take this matter seriously and are actively investigating the incident," police said. "Be assured, as we work with the officer and union officials, we are committed to addressing this situation promptly and in accordance with proper procedures."The Northwest Indiana Times reports that the Facebook video allegedly showed a man driving by a Hammond police car.MORE NORTHWEST INDIANA NEWSIn the video, the man is allegedly heard saying, "Look at them sleep," as the officer sits in the vehicle with their mouth open and eyes closed.

DoJ: Suburban Chiropractor allegedly received at least $430,000 from fraudulent insurance claims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicagoland chiropractor was indicted Wednesday on federal fraud charges for allegedly billing a private insurer hundreds of thousands of dollars for nonexistent services.According to an indictment unsealed in the U.S. District Court in Chicago, Seung Han Lim — owner and operator of Movement Health and Rehab, also known as Motu Chiropractic and Motu Chiromassage, in Libertyville, Illinois — submitted fraudulent claims to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS) for health care services that Lim knew were not actually provided, and fraudulently obtained at least $430,000 from BCBS.Lim, a resident of Lincolnshire, Illinois, was charged with 14 counts of health care fraud, each of which carries a punishment of up to ten years in federal prison if convicted. 10-year development plan unveiled for Lakeview, Roscoe Village neighborhoods According to the indictment, some of the fraudulent claims made by Lim were allegedly provided on dates when either Lim or the patient were ...

PHOTOS: Idalia blasts Florida, Georgia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 GMT

CEDAR KEY, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Idalia tore into Florida at the speed of a fast-moving train Wednesday, splitting trees in half, ripping roofs off hotels and turning small cars into boats before sweeping into Georgia as a still-powerful storm that flooded roadways and sent residents running for higher ground.In this photo made in a flight provided by mediccorps.org, a destroyed home is seen in Keaton Beach, Fla., following the passage of Hurricane Idalia, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)In this photo made in a flight provided by mediccorps.org, a pedestrian bridge is seen amidst storm flooding in Dekle Beach, Fla., following the passage of Hurricane Idalia, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)(Hernando County Sheriff's Office)In this photo made in a flight provided by mediccorps.org, storm damage is seen in Keaton Beach, Fla., following the passage of Hurricane Idalia, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Rescue workers with ...

Coffee for a cause at new café in Arlington Heights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 GMT

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — A new coffee shop in Arlington Heights is opening their doors to not just new customers but providing opportunity to dozens of people with disabilities.The idea for Gerry’s Café has been brewing for a couple years between co-founders Amy Philpott and Natalie Griffin.The business woman and former special education teacher banded together to find a solution to the staggering 82% unemployment rate of adults with disabilities.“We do want to make a difference for our community and we do want to make a difference for this population which is overlooked and underserved,” Griffin saidFor many, like Hannah Kaczor, this is the first job they’ve ever had.“It was the first paycheck I’ve ever gotten,” she said.“I made my own money for the first time. (I feel) Proud.” More from Erin: Young adults use their own health challenges to help others like them “They want to be seen and they are seen her and they are celebrated here,” Griffin said.“It feels like a giant family ...