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West Nile virus found in mosquitos and birds in Contra Costa, Napa counties

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:52:57 GMT

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY — A third dead bird and a third group of mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus, the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District said Friday. The discoveries mark the latest in a string of infected animals and insects across the Bay Area.The bird was found in Oakley, while the mosquitos were trapped in Brentwood. Earlier in the day, officials in Napa County also said they had confirmed West Nile among mosquitos in Calistoga. The announcements come after Contra Costa County officials found the virus among two groups of mosquitos from Discovery Bay and two dead birds from Martinez and Brentwood last month.“Statistically, this is the time of year when we typically see the highest risk of human cases,” Steve Schutz, the district’s scientific programs manager, said in a news release.West Nile can be transmitted to animals and people through a mosquito bite. Typically, the virus only causes mild, flu-like symptoms, but older adults ...

Caltrain fatally strikes person in San Francisco

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:52:57 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — A Caltrain struck and killed a person Friday night in San Francisco, according to the commuter rail line.The fatality, Caltrain’s seventh of the year, happened around 7:30 p.m. between the 22nd Street and Bayshore stations, Caltrain said in a statement. Ninety-six passengers were on board.As of 8:30 p.m., emergency personnel were at the scene and train service was stopped in the area. There were no immediate reports of other injuries.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Letters: COVID closures | Population stabilization | Caltrain to Hollister | Hawkish Biden | Age and honesty | Demonstrable lie Crashes and Disasters | Silicon Valley mayors will be stomping grapes at Italian Family Festa Crashes and Disasters | Taylor Swift fans flocked to local transit after Friday’s curfew-defying Eras Tour show at Levi’s Stadium Crashes and Disasters | Want to see the future of Bay Area transport...

Alfonso Rivas, Bryan Reynolds have huge performances as Pirates beat Brewers 8-4

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:52:57 GMT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Alfonso Rivas is wasting no time making a favorable impression on his new team.Rivas had a three-run homer and a triple among his three hits in his second game with Pittsburgh to help the Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 on Friday night. The Pirates acquired Rivas from San Diego on Tuesday as part of a trade that sent pitcher Rich Hill and first baseman/designated hitter Ji Man Choi to the Padres.“It felt good today,” Rivas said. “I haven’t had one of those days in a while, so it’s good to know that it’s still in there.”Bryan Reynolds also went 3 for 5 with a homer and a double. Henry Davis and Josh Palacios also went deep for the Pirates. Milwaukee’s Carlos Santana, acquired from the Pirates last week, homered against his former team. Mark Canha went 3 for 5 with an RBI.The Pirates were coming off a 14-1 loss at Milwaukee but capitalized on some good fortune to take command early this time. Rivas hit his three-run homer in the first and Davi...

Twins hit 3 solo HRs and top the slumping D-backs 3-2; Taylor’s tiebreaker came in the 7th

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:52:57 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Michael A. Taylor homered to lead off the seventh inning, the third solo shot of the game for the Minnesota Twins in a 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.“We had good at-bats. We were able to hit some balls out of the ballpark, but there were a lot of hard balls hit,” Taylor said. “It could’ve looked very different, I think.”Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler went deep against Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly, who otherwise cruised through six innings with nine strikeouts against the club that leads the major leagues in whiffs.“He’s such a perfectionist,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “He’s disappointed. I knew it when I took him out of the game.”Taylor greeted Scott McGough (1-7) with an opposite-field drive off a 1-2 fastball into the flower boxes above the limestone facade beyond right field that put the Twins in front.Jhoan Duran recorded his 20th save in 24 tries for the Twins, the flame-throwing closer’s ...

Mega Millions players miss out as jackpot climbs to $1.55 billion

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:52:57 GMT

Another Mega Millions drawing, another night without a jackpot winner.The numbers drawn Friday night were: 11, 30, 45, 52, 56 and the gold ball 20.Because no one matched all six numbers and won the estimated $1.35 billion jackpot, the top prize increased to $1.55 billion for the next drawing Tuesday night.The leftover prize is the all-time highest jackpot in the history of the Mega Millions lottery contest. The top jackpot ever won in the U.S. was $2.0 billion in a Powerball draw last year.There now have been 31 straight drawings without a jackpot winner. The last time someone won the Mega Millions jackpot was April 18. Why the winner of the $1.1B Mega Millions jackpot would take home way less The $1.55 billion prize would be for a sole winner who chooses the annuity option with payment stretched over 30 years. Most winners opt for a lump-sum payment, which would be an estimated $757.2 million on Tuesday.In Friday's draw, however, there were some winners in California who got a go...

Hit rewind with this new Y2K speakeasy coming to San Diego

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:52:57 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- While video stores have become a relic of the past, a new speakeasy pop-up coming to downtown San Diego is hitting rewind on the clock.The Back 2 The Video Store speakeasy -- opening on Aug. 12 -- is throwing it back to the early aughts with a nostalgic, immersive cocktail experience inspired by video rental chains like Blockbuster.Featuring everything from lava lamps and pog-playing stations to photo moments based on memorable scenes, the hidden video store bar will blast you back in time while also serving up delicious Y2K-era movie-themed cocktails and mocktails. Popular chicken pie eatery in North Park celebrates anniversary with delicious deal The concept of the speakeasy pop-up is the brainchild of the event advertising platform Bucket Listers, spearheaded by the company's Head of Experiences Derek Berry.During the interactive experience, guests can roam the store with a "classic membership" card in hand, browsing shelves of modeled after those full of VHS tapes...

Life in the Dreamhouse: Barbie-themed pop-up rolling into San Diego

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:52:57 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Attention Barbie fans: a new Dreamhouse-themed pop-up is headed to San Diego next week.The Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour is set to roll into America's Finest City in hot-pink style, with a stop at Westfield UTC on Saturday, Aug. 12.The Barbie Truck Tour set back on the road earlier this year with an all-new look to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the doll's moving into her original Dreamhouse, a cardboard ranch-style house reminiscent of a 1962 college student's pad.This year's Dreamhouse Living Tour is channeling the flower power of the decade, along with the quintessential hyper-pink Malibu aesthetic that has become synonymous with the Barbie brand. ‘Barbie-mania’ in San Diego: Check out these activities to join the hot pink craze When the truck arrives in San Diego next week, fans will be able to snag an array of exclusive apparel, home goods and accessories inspired by a day in the life of Barbie while hanging out in her Dreamhouse.Collectibles available w...

Landslides kill 3 at base camp of a Hindu temple in northern India and 17 others are still missing

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:52:57 GMT

LUCKNOW, India (AP) — Torrential rains triggered a landslide at a base camp of a revered Hindu temple in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand, killing three people, officials said Saturday.At least 17 others were reported missing in the village of Gaurikund in Uttarakhand state, said Nandan Singh Rajwar, a top official of the region’s Disaster Management unit. The missing included members of two families and a few pilgrims, he said.The landslides were reported on Thursday night when a portion of a hill caved in because of torrential rain. Giant boulders fell on roadside shops and eateries that got swept away in the fast-flowing Mandakini River.Rajwar said rescue teams resumed their search on Saturday but efforts were hampered by heavy rains in the area.“The (rescue) teams could only recover three bodies until Friday evening,” Rajwar said, as rescue operations were suspended due to the onslaught of rain and limited visibility.Gaurikund, nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhan...

B.C. port workers ratify deal, ending long labour dispute

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:52:57 GMT

VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s port workers have voted almost 75 per cent in favour of accepting a contract offer, ending weeks of turbulent job action that stopped billions of dollars’ worth of goods from being shipped.In a statement on the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada website, president Rob Ashton says the results of the latest ratification vote came in 74.66 per cent in favour of the agreement.Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan confirmed in a tweet that both the ILWU and the BC Maritime Employers Association have ratified the deal, ending the dispute.O’Regan says, however, that he is directing federal officials to review the entire case to avoid a port disruption of this magnitude from happening in the future.The employers association says in a statement that it ratified the four-year deal, which “includes increases in wages, benefits and training that recognizes the skills and efforts of B.C.’s waterfront workforce,” ...

Scouting body asks South Korea to cut World Scout Jamboree short as heat wave prompts exodus

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:52:57 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The world scouting body urged South Korea to cut short the World Scout Jamboree as thousands of British scouts began leaving the coastal campsite Saturday because of a punishing heat wave. American scouts were preparing to pull out, too. Hundreds of participants have been treated for heat-related ailments since the Jamboree began Wednesday at the site in the coastal town of Buan as South Korea grapples with one of its hottest summers in years. The World Organization of the Scout Movement said it asked South Korean organizers to “consider alternative options to end the event earlier than scheduled and support the participants until they depart for their home countries.”Should organizers decide to proceed, there needs to be stronger assurances “they will do everything possible to address the issues caused by the heat wave by adding additional resources,” the body said in a statement.“We continue to call on the host and the Korean government to honor their com...