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Masks are back as wildfire smoke pummels East Coast: ‘A very serious threat’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:14 GMT

Still have a stockpile of masks from the pandemic?They may come in handy this summer, as seen in cities along the East Coast this week with people again putting on masks to deal with the hazardous smoke from the raging Canadian wildfires.The smoke and haze conditions have drastically improved in Massachusetts since Tuesday, but meteorologists warn that the wildfire smoke could return in waves over the next several weeks.When those high concentrations of smoke come back, masks will help reduce peoples’ exposure to the PM2.5 air pollution from wildfires, according to John Rogan, professor of geography at Clark University in Worcester.“If people are outside, wearing masks during those hazardous air quality days will be important,” Rogan, whose recent research projects have involved mapping wildfire burn severity in southern California and southeastern Arizona, told the Herald on Thursday.He noted that N95 respirator masks offer far greater protection than cloth masks....

Trump calls documents indictment ‘warfare with the law’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:14 GMT

Former President Donald Trump came charging out with emails and social media posts after he said he’s being indicted over classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.Related Articles Trump charged over classified documents in 1st federal indictment of an ex-president “This is warfare with the law,” Trump said in a video posted to the Truth Social platform. “It’s a hoax!”He added he has been summoned to appear in federal court in Miami on Tuesday at 3 p.m. NBC News is reporting Trump has been indicted on seven counts by a federal grand jury.“This is indeed a DARK DAY,” Trump added, ending with all caps. “We are a Country in serious and rapid Decline, but together we will Make America Great Again!” He added in an earlier post: “I am an innocent man. The Biden administration is totally corrupt.”Emails also flooded inboxes from both Trump and a Democratic PAC looking for political donations off the news that l...

Trump charged over classified documents in 1st federal indictment of an ex-president

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:14 GMT

By ERIC TUCKER, JILL COLVIN and MICHAEL BALSAMO (Associated Press)MIAMI (AP) — Donald Trump said Thursday that he has been indicted on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate, igniting a federal prosecution that is arguably the most perilous of multiple legal threats against the former president as he seeks to reclaim the White House.The Justice Department did not immediately publicly confirm the indictment. But two people familiar with the situation who were not authorized to discuss it publicly said that the indictment included seven criminal counts. One of those people said Trump’s lawyers were contacted by prosecutors shortly before he announced on his Truth Social platform that he had been indicted.The indictment enmeshes the Justice Department in the most politically explosive prosecution in its long history. Its first case against a former president upends a Republican presidential primary that Trump is currently dominating, and any felon...

Central Catholic remains red hot at MVC rival Chelmsford’s expense

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:14 GMT

HAVERHILL — So far the MIAA State Tournament is bringing out the best in Central Catholic.Lukasz Rondeau fired a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits and striking out eight while the Central Catholic offense exploded for five runs in the fourth inning on its way to an 8-0 win over No. 13 Chelmsford on Thursday afternoon in the Division 1 baseball Round of 16 at Northern Essex Community College.Central Catholic will take on No. 21 Methuen in the quarterfinals Sunday at noon at Haverhill Stadium.“Lukasz got stronger as he went and the last four innings he was lights out,” Central Catholic coach John Sexton said. “He is typically someone where if you want to get him, you better get to him early. He was very good today.”Rondeau and Chelmsford’s Matthew Stuart were locked in a pitcher’s duel through the first three and a half innings, but in the home half of the fourth the Raiders broke through.A hit batter and two walks loaded the bases wit...

Silver Lake downs Grafton in Div. 2 softball

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:14 GMT

KINGSTON — Even with an early deficit, eighth-seeded Silver Lake battled back and never trailed after the first inning to advance to the Div. 2 softball quarterfinals.With a resilient bottom of the order, the Lakers came away with a 6-2 victory over No. 9 Grafton in the Div. 2 Round of 16 contest at Silver Lake Thursday afternoon.“What we’ve focused on this year is staying composed,” said Lakers coach Tony Pina about being able to shake off the early deficit. “Our highs don’t get too high and our lows don’t get too low.”Silver Lake (20-2) scored quickly after allowing a homer in the top of the first as a Madyson Bryan grounder to short scored Alanna Waters from third knotted the score 1-1.In the bottom of the second, junior captain Nina O’Neil led off the frame by reaching via a walk and sophomore Hannah Selig put two runners in scoring position with a double to left. Sophomore Kenna Slyker stepped up to the dish and hit the first pitch just over the left field foul pole...

SDPD officer shot in Chollas Creek

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:14 GMT

SAN DIEGO — A San Diego police officer was shot Thursday in the Chollas Creek neighborhood, and authorities have taken one person into custody in their search for the shooter.The shooting happened around 11:10 a.m. in the 5200 block of Wightman Street, police said. The incident started when the officer was behind a stolen white truck and tried to conduct a traffic stop, authorities said. The driver got out of the truck and started running, and the officer chased him into an apartment complex area. There, the man pulled out a gun and shot the officer, according to authorities.The officer was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. BMX star Pat Casey dies in crash at Ramona motocross track Police asked residents in the neighborhood to shelter in place while officers searched the area for a man considered to be "armed and dangerous." Police described the suspect as Hispanic, approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall, approxim...

Woman dies at Three Sisters Falls

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:14 GMT

DESCANSO, Calif. -- A woman fell to her death Thursday at a popular backcountry hiking trail in the Descanso area, authorities said.The fall was reported just before 10 a.m. at Three Sisters Falls, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.Authorities say the woman, believed to be in her mid-40s, died while crews were preparing to airlift her to a hospital. This Anza-Borrego cave system among largest in North America There is no suspicious activity connected to the fall, as the sheriff's department confirmed it was "just a terrible accident."The 4.5 mile-roundtrip trail was the site of a helicopter rescue last month when a 61-year-old hiker suffered an ankle injury. Other helicopter rescues have been reported at Three Sisters Falls throughout the years.

New York lawmakers pass bill that considers reparations for slavery

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:14 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York would create a commission to consider reparations to address the lingering, negative effects of slavery under a bill passed by the state Legislature on Thursday. “We want to make sure we are looking at slavery and its legacies,” said state Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages before the floor debate. “This is about beginning the process of healing our communities. There still is generational trauma that people are experiencing. This is just one step forward.”The state Assembly passed the bill about three hours after spirited debate on Thursday. The state Senate passed the measure hours later, and the bill will be sent to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul for consideration. New York is following the lead of California, which became the first state to form a reparations task force in 2020. That group recommended a formal apology from the state on its legacy of racism and discriminatory policies and the creation of an agency to provide a wide range of services for Blac...

Trump indicted: What to know about the documents case and what’s next

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:14 GMT

Donald Trump’s indictment on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate has brought renewed attention to one of the most notable cases in Justice Department history.The federal charges represent the biggest legal jeopardy so far for Trump, coming less than three months after he was charged in New York with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.Here’s a look at the charges, the special counsel’s investigation and how Trump’s case differs from those of other politicians known to be in possession of classified documents:WHAT ARE THE CHARGES?Trump has been charged with seven counts related to the mishandling of classified documents, according to two people familiar with the indictment but not authorized to speak publicly about it. The charges themselves are unclear and remain under seal, one person said.Trump announced on his social media site Truth Social on Thursday night that DOJ lawyers had informed his legal team that he had ...

Social media helps invent, then circulate info on DIY air purifiers amid wildfire smoke

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:14 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Social media users are sharing a surprisingly effective way to protect yourself indoors from the toxic wildfire smoke blanketing much of the East Coast: a box fan, four air filters and a whole lot of duct tape.As searches for “air purifiers” spike on Google, people are posting on TikTok and Facebook about how to build the DIY air purifier. The technique, known as the Corsi-Rosenthal method, has gained attention in recent years amid the pandemic and raging western U.S. wildfires.Some East Coast residents are learning about the box fan method for the first time, unlike their West Coast counterparts who are accustomed to wildfire smoke. Seattle resident Angel Robertson, 34, posted a video on a New Yorker’s TikTok demonstrating how to put it together. In her video, which has amassed more than 600,000 views, Robertson duct tapes four 20-by-20 air filters into a box shape and attaches the fan on top. The whole apparatus costs under $100. “It works extremely well and will s...