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Battenfeld: Boston city councilors hand out big, taxpayer-funded bonuses to staffers

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:46 GMT

Christmas comes early for the Boston City Council.Councilors continue to hand out hefty, taxpayer-funded pay bonuses to staffers in a practice that smacks of old school politics excess.Councilor-at-large Michael Flaherty, who is retiring at the end of the year, this week doled out nearly $25,000 worth of bonuses to four staffers, records show.That includes a $9,885 one-time bonus to staffer Paul Sullivan, $6,115 bonuses to aides Clare Brooks and Mary Karski and a $2,519 bonus to assistant Tricia Kalayjian, according to records.Flaherty isn’t the only one giving bonuses but it adds a certain sting when a councilor hands them out a few months before leaving office. Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson tried to give one staffer — her sister — a $7,000 bonus until she was caught by the Ethics Commission.How many people would like to get a $10,000 or $7,000 bonus? A lot of people work hard, but don’t get handed big taxpayer funded bonuses.They get on the malfunctioning T ...

Home Showcase: A house for horse fans

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:46 GMT

With 16 Main Street in Dover, you don’t just get a thoughtfully renovated 1812 antique Colonial, you also get to make your equestrian dreams come true.Is there anything better than having your beloved companions whinny at you when you come home from work? For the horse girls and horse-girls-at-heart, the gracious family home holds the promise of having all your favorite things all in the same place.Set on 2.84 acres with mature trees, landscaping, and even room to add a pool, the estate dazzles with a main house and two-level barn.Families, especially those that love to host, will appreciate the home’s many spaces for entertaining, including the oversized dining room with fireplace and family room with custom built-ins. Naturally, there’s an updated gourmet kitchen with radiant heat, pantry, and adjoining sitting room with a wood stove and oversized windows looking out over the grounds.Five bedrooms, including a primary suite with a marble bath, occupy the second and third floors, a...

Arson suspected in fire at Hillcrest LGBTQ+ bar: SDFD

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:46 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Authorities are investigating for suspected arson after the outside awnings of a Hillcrest LGBTQ+ bar caught fire overnight on Friday.Around 12:30 a.m., San Diego Fire-Rescue crews were alerted to the fire at Gossip Grill, located at 1220 University Ave. The nightclub is the sole bar in the county that puts queer and transgender women at the center of its business.According to SDFD, firefighters were able to knock down the flames in about nine minutes, confining the damage to the exterior structures. The interior of the restaurant and surrounding businesses were unimpacted by the blaze. Ocean Beach Pier closed due to high surf No injuries were reported to staff, patrons or fire crews as a result of the incident, SDFD said."We were extremely lucky. San Diego Fire was here in a heartbeat," owner and manager of Gossip, Moe Girton, told FOX 5. "The awnings are fire-resistant, they didn't burn all that fast."Girton, who was notified of the fire by a neighboring bar, said ...

Viral TikTok of bedbug spooks Torontonians, experts don’t be paranoid

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:46 GMT

A recent viral TikTok that purported to show a bedbug on the TTC has been spooking Toronto residents more than usual, but experts say it’s not unusual for the critters to be spotted in a high-traffic area.It could also include hotels, convention centres, restaurants, public transportation, movie theatres, doctors offices, you name it,” said Bernie Grafe of Orkin Canada, a pest control company.Anxiety over bedbugs began to rise following Paris Fashion Week last month when viral videos of the bugs began popping up despite officials’ reassurance there was no resurgence of cases.Many were worried that the bugs would hitch a ride on those travelling back home. But while Toronto did top the list of Orkin’s worst cities in Canada for bedbugs released last spring, Grafe said the odds of you taking one home are still small. “It’s certainly a risk but at the end of the day it’s not something that everyone should be extremely paranoid about,” exp...

Illinois leaders praise release of Evanston mother, daughter taken hostage by Hamas

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:46 GMT

CHICAGO — Illinois elected leaders have spoken out in support of the release of a mother and daughter from Evanston who were being held hostage by Hamas.In a statement, the Palestinian militant group said that in an agreement with the Qatari government, it was freeing Judith Tai Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie for humanitarian reasons.SEE ALSO: Mother, daughter from Evanston who were held hostage by Hamas have been releasedIllinois Governor JB Pritzker and many other leaders in the Chicago area and beyond issued statements Friday, expressing gratitude and excitement in welcoming Judith and Natalie home.The family’s rabbi confirmed with WGN News that the pair has been released and handed over to the Red Cross and will be taken to Egypt. A photo provided to WGN News offered a first look at the Chicago-area Hamas captives following their release. (Credit: Israeli Prime Minister's Office)I am incredibly relieved that Natalie and Judith Raanan of Evanston ...

University of Chicago students, facility rally in support of Palestine

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:46 GMT

CHICAGO -- Students and some facility members rallied at the University of Chicago campus on Friday to show their support for Palestine.The "Students For Justice in Palestine" group urged University of Chicago leadership to stop investing and partnering with Israel organizations. Specifically, calling for the university to stop supporting Israel by divesting from the university's investments in Israel. For more coverage of the Israel and Hamas Conflict, click here Hundreds of students and faculty gathered outside the university's administration building at Levi Hall in support of Palestinians who are dying and losing their homes amid the war between Israel and Hamas.Along with students, some faculty members also spoke about the issue with one faculty member challenging the school's decision to stay apolitical amid the crisis.The university responding to Friday's rally in the following statement:"The University has developed a consensus against taking social or political stances on...

AUS announces completed cellphone lot expansion

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) announced Friday that its cellphone lot expansion was now open, and it was "wheely" excited about it. Austin-Johnson Airport? Mayor in talks to possibly rename AUS after former president The airport said it added more than 50 extra parking spaces in order to make the pick-up experience easier.Cellphone lot before expansion (AUS photo)Cellphone lot after expansion (AUS photo)Cellphone lot after expansion (AUS photo)“You asked, we listened: more parking, less honking and hassle!” AUS said in a social media post.

UT women's hoops, No. 13 in preseason AP poll, host Orange-White scrimmage Oct. 24

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 13 Texas Longhorns women's basketball team will give the fans an early taste of hoops Oct. 24 at Moody Center.The Orange-White scrimmage tips off at 6 p.m. with a special team introduction at 5:45 p.m. The doors open at 5 p.m. and admission is free with seats on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be chances for fans to win prizes with trivia questions and other competitions before the scrimmage tips off, and the first 250 UT students will get free pizza.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/newslettersThere will be a postgame autograph session and limited edition trading cards will be handed out while supplies last. Parking is also free in the Manor Garage, located adjacent to Moody Center at 2017 Robert Dedman Drive.Along with their top-15 ranking, the Longhorns were picked to win the Big 12 Conference in a vote of league coaches. Rori Harmon was tabb...

St. Ann smash-and-grab burglary caught on camera, linked to violent crime spree

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:46 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Police are searching for multiple suspects behind numerous violent crimes across the region. Authorities say one group is linked to recent crimes in the cities of St. Ann, Charlack, and St. Charles, Missouri. The latest, an overnight smash-and-grab burglary in St. Ann, was caught on camera.The St. Ann Police Department tells FOX 2 they are looking for several suspects in a burglary at the Kings Food Mart on St. Charles Rock Road. That happened around 3:30 a.m. Friday. Feds bust suspected drug ring in St. Louis area FOX 2 acquired surveillance video from police that shows the suspect crash into the front door of the store. Both doors were shattered and suffered bent frames upon impact. In the video, a suspect jumps out of the car and then over the counter as he grabs an undisclosed amount of cash and the store's safe. The suspect also left with several Little Debbie's products, leaving a display completely empty. "Officers discovered a window had been broken...

Saint Louis University confirms months-long data breach

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:46 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University officials confirmed a recent data breach in which someone gained "unauthorized access" to personal information. The university is working to determine how many students and employees the data breach affected. The breach lasted nearly eight full months between Dec. 2022 and July 2023. Feds bust suspected drug ring in St. Louis area SLU says personal information like social security numbers, passports, passwords and medical information could have been exposed. However, the university says it's not aware of any fraud or identity theft resulting from the incident. The university is encouraging students or staff who received a letter to regularly monitor credit reports and account statements and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.