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Arson investigation underway after fire burns Los Angeles church for second time in 2 years

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An arson investigation was under way Sunday after fire damaged a nearly 100-year-old Los Angeles church for the second time in less than two years, authorities. Flames broke out shorty before 7 p.m. Saturday in the sanctuary of St. John’s United Methodist Church and spread into a balcony, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a statement.More than 30 firefighters took about 20 minutes to extinguish the blaze at the two-story church in the Watts neighborhood, the statement said. No injuries were reported. The blaze occurred as St. John’s was undergoing renovations from another fire that caused major damage in February 2022, the Los Angeles Times reported. After the earlier fire, worshippers moved services to the parking lot, where they were still being held as of this weekend, the Times said.The church, built in the Spanish Colonial style with a red-tile roof and beige exterior, is celebrating 97 years of ministry in the Watts community south of downtown LA, acco...

15 dead, 8 missing after heavy rains unleash floods in Haiti

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — At least 15 people have died and another eight are missing after heavy rains unleased widespread flooding and several landslides across Haiti over the weekend, authorities said Sunday.Nearly 13,400 people were forced to evacuate as water consumed hundreds of homes around the country, turning some streets into raging rivers of brown water, according to Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency.More than 7,400 families reported damage, with officials still assessing the impact of the rains that deluged Haiti on Saturday.The rains also caused significant damage to crops in Haiti’s central region at a time when starvation is deepening.Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he was working with local and international organizations to respond to the needs of those affected by the floods.The Associated Press

Benzema scores in final game with Madrid; Vinícius back in team after racial abuse

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Karim Benzema converted his penalty kick and received a standing ovation from fans before being substituted at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, bringing an end to his memorable career with Real Madrid on Sunday.Benzema was replaced after scoring the 72nd-minute equalizer in Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao in his final game with the Spanish powerhouse after 14 seasons. Madrid had announced earlier Sunday that the French striker would not return next season.The last round of the Spanish league also saw Vinícius Júnior’s return to action for the first time since he was racially abused in a league match against Valencia two weeks ago, as well as Valladolid’s relegation.Vinícius hadn’t played in the last two Madrid games following the latest incident of racist insults targeted at him in Valencia on May 21, prompting a widespread reaction from Spanish authorities and the soccer world. The club had said he was sidelined with a minor knee problem.The Brazil...

Second annual Hazel McCallion Walk for Health another large success

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

The second annual Hazel McCallion Walk for Health in Mississauga appeared to be another large success.Roughly 2,100 people turned out for the fundraiser on Sunday morning with the walk starting at Port Credit Memorial Park before, following the nearby Waterfront Trail.“We will face more demand than any other hospital in the province over the next 20 years,” says Caroline Riseboro, CEO of the Trillium Health Partners Foundation.Money raised at the event will support Trillium Health Partners in their effort to build the new Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital. When completed, it will be Canada’s largest hospital, with construction expected to begin in Mississauga in 2025.The idea for the walk had come from former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion, commonly known as ‘Hurricane Hazel’ in the city. McCallion had served as the city’s mayor for 36 years. She died earlier this year at 101.“She came to us, she wanted an event … where we could engage the entire community,” adds Riseboro, ...

Fathers embrace their inner "Swiftie Dad" on Day 3 of Taylor Swift in Chicago

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO — The final day of Taylor Swift's three-day stop in Chicago for her Eras tour is here, and some dads were just as excited as their daughters to see the pop star perform.Keith Bullock, aka 'Swiftie Dad.'"The girls grew up listening to the music and so did we," said Keith Bullock, flanked by his two daughters while wearing a 'Swiftie Dad' t-shirt outside of Soldier Field. "We're here to celebrate that and Taylor Swift music often brings us together anytime a new album comes out." PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Businesses, fans excited for Taylor Swift in Chicago this weekend Steven Pasquantonio, another father among the T-Swiftie army at Soldier Field Sunday, was wearing a t-shirt custom-made by his daughters, and said they aren't the only ones who enjoy Taylor Swift's music.Steven Pasquantonio, proud father, and Taylor Swift supporter."I enjoy it! I've been listening to her for years with them," Pasquantonio said. "They're teenagers now and they started listening ten years ago when the...

Mayor Brandon Johnson, political leaders help kickoff Pride Month in West Town

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Hundreds of people, including local and state political leaders, gathered for Chicago's annual Pride Month kickoff brunch in West Town Sunday."As we kick off pride month, this is not just simply a celebration, this is about the liberation of humanity that love gets to be the conquering force," Mayor Brandon Johnson said. Here are the history-making LGBTQ officials in the Biden administration Johnson and other City officials spoke on the importance of celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community at the event, while also recognizing the challenges in the fight for equality."Pride is a celebration of those living and thriving as their true authentic selves," said Juliana Stratton, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. "There are legislators across our nation who are working to dim the light, the joyful light of our gay, bi and trans siblings … that they bring to our communities in the form of dangerous and extremely harmful legislation."A part of the brunch Sunday was highlighting leaders...

Westlake clinches 1st state berth since 2009 with come-from-behind win over SA Johnson

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In dramatic fashion June 2, the Westlake Chaparrals baseball team earned a spot in the state tournament.The Chaps forced extra innings against San Antonio Johnson and scored a pair in the eighth to complete a come-from-behind 3-1 win at Northeast ISD Stadium to sweep the series and win the Region IV championship.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersWestlake will take on Pearland at 7 p.m. Friday in the Class 6A semifinals at Dell Diamond. Cypress Woods and Flower Mound face off at 4 p.m. Friday in the other semifinal game.After taking the lead with two runs in the top of the eighth inning, the Chaps turned a double play with an outfield assist in the bottom half to end the game. Westlake right fielder Braeden Babb chased down a fly ball in foul ground for the second out, and then he fired a one-hopper to catcher Ben Longoria who applied the tag on Johnson's ...

Twins place reliever Cole Sands on 15-day injured list

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

The Twins placed right-handed pitcher Cole Sands on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 1) due to a right shoulder impingement. Sands, who last pitched on May 30, has a 0.73 ERA his season and has been effective as a long and middle reliever.“Cole has been able to go out there and do his job and pitch, but he’s been a little sore on certain days,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “It’s something he’s been dealing with a little bit. I think it’s probably just gotten a little worse.”Sands is the 20th Twins player to appear on the injured list this season. His spot on the roster has been taken by left-hander Caleb Thielbar, who has completed his rehab assignment with the Saints after dealing with a right oblique strain. Thielbar missed 29 games.Thielbar joins Jovani Moran to give the Twins two left-handers in the bullpen, and both will be used in various situations, Baldelli said. Thielbar replaced starter Joe Ryan in the seventh inning on Sunday and surrendered an RBI tripl...

Royce Lewis OK after scary collision in Twins’ 2-1 loss to Guardians

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Royce Lewis will spend the Twins’ off day on Monday celebrating his 24th birthday. For one crowd-hushing moment during the Twins’ 2-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians at Target Field Sunday afternoon, it looked as though he could be spending it in a hospital bed.Lewis was involved in a violent collision with Cleveland first baseman Gabriel Arias in the eighth inning. A throw from Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez led Arias into the base path, with the ball and Lewis arriving at about the same time.Lewis catapulted into the air after bouncing off of Arias’ back and landed face first in the dirt. His momentum caused his legs to flip over his head, leaving his neck in a vulnerable position as his body bounced off the field.Lewis, who served as the Twins’ DH in the game, stayed down for a while as he was attended to by members of the team’s medical staff. He was able to walk off the field.Sporting a lengthy scrape and a bump on his forehead after the game, Lewis said he had some pain ...

Saints stay hot, win series finale in Buffalo

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Edouard Julien’s three-run homer highlighted a six-run rally in the third inning as the St. Paul Saints beat the Buffalo Bisons 8-4 in the finale of their International League series Sunday in Buffalo, N.Y.The Saints (32-23) have won seven of their past eight games and are now a season-high nine games over .500.Matt Wallner continued his torrid hitting for the Saints, tallying two doubles and two runs batted in.Andrew Stevenson contributed three hits for the Saints, and Jose MIranda chipped in two hits and an RBI.Twins pitcher Kenta Maeda, on a rehab assignment with St. Paul, worked the first three innings. He gave up two runs on five hits while striking out four. He threw 45 pitches, 29 for strikes. He threw 13 fastballs averaging 89.5 miles per hour and topping out at 90.7 mph.St. Paul’s Brent Headrick pitched the bulk of the game following Maeda and a scoreless inning of relief by Connor Sadzeck. Headrick gave up two runs in his five innings and earned his third victory of the se...