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Who gives a hoot: Why series of Fairfax Co. owl sightings are worth noting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:39 GMT

One of the barred owls spotted in Fairfax Co. (Courtesy Lori Moran) One of the barred owls spotted in Fairfax Co. (Courtesy Lori Moran) Here’s a story you can give a hoot about. Some people in Fairfax County, Virginia, are spotting more and more owls, right in their backyards.“Be happy you got the chance to see an owl, you don’t get to see them everyday,” Fairfax County Ecologist David Lawlor said.Owls aren’t spotted in the daytime all that often.“They mainly hunt at night,” Lawlor said.One man, Barry Shapiro, recently walked out of his home to see a large barred owl perched on the back window of his red Prius in the Fair Ridge area. He posted a photo on social media.Some of his neighbors chimed in on ...

Train derails near Suncor refinery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:39 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- A train went off the tracks near the Suncor refinery Friday morning, the Commerce City Police Department said. Due to what CCPD said was a minor derailment, Brighton Boulevard was closed between East 56th Avenue and East 60th Avenue. The department said the tankers on the BNSF train were empty and there was no hazardous spill involved in the incident. A BNSF train derailed near Suncor Refinery on Friday, June 16, 2023 (Photo credit: Matt McCoy)A minor train derailment near Suncor Refinery did not result in any hazardous spill (Photo credit: Matt McCoy)BNSF personnel were working on the cleanup with the road to remain closed during that time.

Lauderhill woman says US Marshals ransacked her home during raid following men’s arrests, pointed gun at 1-year-old

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:39 GMT

A Lauderhill woman is speaking out after, she said, law enforcement officers ransacked her home during a raid that followed the arrests of two men, including her brother.The new details come after a resident captured a Lauderhill Police officer on cellphone video making a controversial comment.Speaking with 7News on Friday, Chelsea said it was completely unnecessary for U.S. Marshals to force their way into her apartment on Thursday morning because the suspects were already in custody.“So I can see where they kicked the door down, I’m guessing with their feet,” she said as she pointed to her red front door.Chelsea, who asked not to show her face on camera, said the officers spent three hours inside her house, adding they broke TV sets and pointed a gun at her 1-year-old child, who met them as they stormed in.“I heard the door slam open, and as I came out, my baby was in the hallway,” said Chelsea. “I see the cops, a whole bunch of U.S. Marshals, p...

Dolphin gets beer named after him in collaboration between Island Dolphin Care and Oil Well Craft Beer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:39 GMT

You’ve probably heard of collaborations, but how about a partnership between a Florida brewery and a dolphin? 7’s Kevin Ozebek is putting this unlikely pairing in today’s Spotlight.This smiling face belongs to Tashi. He’s an 11-year-old bottlenose dolphin at Island Dolphin Care in Key Largo.Kids and adults come here for the unique dolphin-assisted therapy programs designed for people with all kinds of disabilities.Luke Bullen, executive director, Island Dolphin Care: “We call them our co-therapists, actually.”Tashi is one of eight dolphins at the facility, and they always jump at the chance to get to work with those in need of help.Luke Bullen: “We have a team of human therapists, and then we have the dolphins, so they really are the heart of Island Dolphin Care. They are motivational and they’re inspirational.”Island Dolphin Care is kept afloat by donations, so funding is always a challenge.That’s where collaborations come...

World’s largest bounce house comes to Topsfield 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:39 GMT

The world’s largest bounce house is set to inflate in Topsfield on Saturday as part of the Big Bounce America tour. Organizers have touted Big Bounce America as “the biggest touring inflatable event in the world,” with a 16,000 square foot bounce house, a new “Sport Slam” customized sports arena, a more than 900 foot long obstacle course and “a unique, space-themed wonderland called airSPACE.”The local stop on the Big Bounce America tour is scheduled to open to the public on Saturday and Sunday at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. The tour will be open again at the same location on June 23, 24, 25 and 30 as well as on July 1 and 2. See more information on the Big Bounce America website here. 

Showers, storms and a drop in temps for the weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:39 GMT

7Weather – It’s been another warm day as high temperatures reached the upper 70s/low 80s. We’ve stayed mainly dry. Some sprinkles and showers are moving in. The main event arrives tonight with showers lingering through the weekend.Shower chances will be on the increase this evening. The heaviest rain will move in overnight favoring southeast Mass. There could be a rumble of thunder with it as well. Showers will be off and on throughout Saturday with thunderstorms possible in the afternoon. With all the cloud cover, temperatures won’t budge much. We’ll start out in the upper 50s/near 60°. High temperatures reach the low/mid 60s.Sunday the rain chances aren’t as high. We’ll keep it as a 40% chance for a shower to touch your area. You’ll be able to find more dry time to get outside. Highs will be in the upper 60s/near 70°. There will be an onshore breeze through the afternoon, keeping temperatures on the coast in the 60s.Monday and Tuesda...

Canada police say bus carrying seniors did not have right away in accident that killed 15

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:39 GMT

By ROB GILLIES (Associated Press)TORONTO (AP) — A bus carrying seniors to a casino that collided with a semi-trailer truck in a crash that killed 15 people did not have the right way, police said Friday, after watching video of the accident. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Supt. Rob Lasson said police also obtained witness statements from passing motorists that corroborated what investigators saw on the dash cam video from the semi truck. “This video indicates the bus entered the roadway where the semi truck had the right of way,” Lasson said, adding later: “We don’t know why the bus proceeded.”He said officers had not been able to speak to the driver of the bus, who is hospitalized.Lasson also said investigators had not yet been able to identify the bodies of the 15 killed, though those who were not injured were presumed to be deceased. He said the age range of the deceased and injured range between 58 and 88, the majority female. Six of 10 seniors...

Destruction in Texas Panhandle: Storm blamed for 3 deaths wrecked mobile homes and main street

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:39 GMT

By DAVID ERICKSON, SARAH BRUMFIELD and KEN MILLER (Associated Press)PERRYTON, Texas (AP) — As Sabrina Devers watched what would turn out to be a deadly storm approach her ranch just north of the Texas Panhandle town Perryton, she first spotted golf ball-sized and then softball-sized hail.Then, Devers said, across the high plains toward Perryton, the system spawned a tornado.Once the twister had moved through, Devers drove into into the town to find a path of wreckage local officials estimated was a quarter of a mile (0.4 kilometer) wide, and 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) long. The Thursday afternoon storm would be blamed for three deaths and more than 100 injuries as it destroyed hundreds of homes, tossed vehicles into buildings and knocked out power and cellphone service in Perryton, a town of 8,000 about 115 miles (185 kilometers) northeast of Amarillo, just south of the Oklahoma line.“The devastation was unbelievable,” Devers told Fox Weather. “It took a tanker ...

Federal judge blocks much of Indiana’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:39 GMT

By TOM DAVIES (Associated Press)INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A federal judge issued an order Friday stopping an Indiana ban on puberty blockers and hormones for transgender minors from taking effect as scheduled July 1.The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana sought the temporary injunction in its legal challenge of the Republican-backed law, which was enacted this spring amid a national push by GOP-led legislatures to curb LGBTQ+ rights.The order from U.S. District Court Judge James Patrick Hanlon will allow the law’s prohibition on gender-affirming surgeries to take effect. Hanlon’s order also blocks provisions that would prohibit Indiana doctors from communicating with out-of-state doctors about gender-affirming care for their patients younger than 18.The ACLU filed the lawsuit within hours after Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the bill April 5. The challenge, on behalf of four youths undergoing transgender treatments and an Indiana doctor who provides such care...

Cole Irvin’s changeup, Orioles’ bullpen ineffective in 10-3 loss to Cubs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:39 GMT

Facing a Chicago Cubs lineup of nine right-handed hitters, Orioles left-hander Cole Irvin’s secondary pitches were going to be “important,” manager Brandon Hyde emphasized before the game. One of them let Irvin down repeatedly.In Friday’s series-opening 10-3 loss at Wrigley Field, Irvin allowed three solo home runs in the third inning, all on his changeup, before Chicago broke the game open against three Baltimore relievers with a six-run sixth.Making his second start back with the Orioles (43-26) after a stretch in Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation, Irvin threw two scoreless innings before having trouble locating his changeup in third. Miguel Amaya homered on one in the middle of the strike zone to open the inning, and after Irvin retired the next two batters, Dansby Swanson did the same. Christopher Morel then swatted one in the bottom part of the zone out to left field.Irvin’s three home runs allowed in the third matched the total he surrendered with...