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‘Tis the season for a pre-holiday Mt. Washington Valley escape

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

My friend Dina digs into her holiday decorating in early October. She loves to spread out the holiday vibe for as long as and as much as she can.I’m from the other camp. I want to hold onto summer, savor fall and not rush (as much as I love the ski season!) winter along by starting the holidays too soon.That said, when I want to get into the spirit of next season: I want it and I want it NOW!Luckily, there’s a way to dive head first into the holidays even minutes after the last piece of turkey is carved.A weekend trip to Mount Washington Valley (https://www.visitmwv.com) post Thanksgiving dinner (or pre) is an easy pass to all the holiday cheer you crave.Scenery, décor, amazing shopping, special meals and yes, even some snow-covered peaks are all there for the taking.Mount Washington Valley is an easy shot from Boston up 93 and the Spaulding Turnpike. You know you’ve arrived when the decorations begin: the sight of crossed skis with wreathes on telephone poles has long brought me my...

Senior dog’s kidneys failing rapidly

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

Dear Dr. John,My old dog, 14, is nearing the end of his life. Less than a week ago, I sensed something was wrong and took him to a veterinary hospital where blood tests showed that his kidney values were getting very bad. My dog had values of BUN 92, Creat 5.6, and Phosphorous of 7.7. They admitted my dog and gave him fluids and anti-nausea medication. The next day the bloodwork was repeated, and the same values were 111, 7.3, and 9.5 respectively. I was told my dog had a poor prognosis and that I could take him home for hospice and to give him fluids and more medication for nausea. I brought my dog home to be comfortable.Yesterday, my own vet repeated the bloodwork, and the same values were 158, 7.2, and 9.6. In July, the values were 29, 1.4, and 3.6. What should I do? My dog is eating a low protein diet and doesn’t seem to act that weak or abnormal. Is kidney failure reversible? S.B.Dear S.B.,The typical treatment regimen for all forms of renal failure is infusing the patient with...

Dear Abby: Relationship crumbles after weekend apart

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

Dear Abby: I met a great woman, and we have been dating for a year and a half. We talk and message every day, we have our inside jokes, and her parents love me. My mother loves her, and the sex is great. I had never felt more connected to someone, and we have spoken about marriage.I planned to surprise her with a ring this year, but things changed around my birthday. She spent that weekend away with co-workers (I agreed she should go because she doesn’t normally have time to hang out), but when she came back, things were different.We didn’t talk for two weeks, and when we did, she gave me this crazy story about taking in a friend who had been abused by her husband and sheltering her and their two kids. Then she told me she took in her biological father, with whom she had spoken only once in 30 years.After that wild story, we didn’t speak for three months. When we did, I asked her what we’re doing and what she wants. She said she wanted to break up, but didn&#...

Three wounded in shooting at Chula Vista mall

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

SAN DIEGO -- Three people were wounded Saturday night in a shooting at a Chula Vista shopping mall, police said.Around 7:15 p.m., officers were called to Novo Brazil Brewing at Otay Ranch Town Center, where they found three victims, Chula Vista police said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The victims were expected to survive their injuries. ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry dead at 54: reports "Initial indications are that the shooting was not an active shooter and was not random," CVPD said, adding that there was reportedly a dispute between two groups.Police said there no longer appeared to be an active threat to the mall or nearby neighborhoods.Check back for updates on this developing story.

16-year-old shot while leaving party; police search for suspect

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

SAN DIEGO -- A 16-year-old girl was shot in the back while leaving an overnight party in the Talmadge neighborhood, authorities said.According to the San Diego Police Department, the victim was leaving a gathering on the 4400 block of Winona Avenue shortly after midnight Saturday when the incident occurred. Arrest made in 1990 cold case murder of woman in Scripps Ranch Based on witness statements, police say two groups of individuals were reportedly involved in a physical altercation at the location. One of the individuals allegedly produced a firearm and discharged it multiple times. SDPD says the girl was shot once in the upper back. The individuals involved in the altercation then reportedly fled in multiple directions. The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital and was treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries, authorities said. Pedestrian killed after being struck by van Witnesses described the shooter as a male of unknown age who was seen wear...

Anchorage’s oldest building, a Russian Orthodox church, gets new life in restoration project

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

EKLUTNA, Alaska (AP) — The Russian Orthodox church on the outskirts of Alaska’s biggest city is packed with treasures for the Christian faithful: religious icons gifted by Romanov czars, panels of oil paintings and jewel-studded incense burners. But outside the hand-hewn log sanctuary, dozens of miniature Alaska Native spirit houses sit by aging gravesites alongside Orthodox crosses poking from the cemetery grounds.The narrow church with white-framed windows near Anchorage is a vestige of Russia’s nearly 150-year attempt to colonize Alaska and the Indigenous people who lived here. But over time, St. Nicholas Church became an important touchstone for Alaska Natives as well. The church lies within the Alaska Native village of Eklutna, and many are buried there. Now, an extensive, three-year restoration project that began this month is bringing more attention to the tiny church that is a window into a complex, and often-forgotten, chapter of Alaska’s unique history. T...

Boys graduate high school at lower rates than girls, with lifelong consequences

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

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — They attend the same classes with access to the same programs, and even come from the same families. But girls consistently are outperforming boys, graduating at higher rates at public high schools around the country. The gap between them is wide, often as wide as the achievement gap between students from affluent and low-income families, a problem that officials have tracked closely for years. But the reasons why boys are falling short are not as clear. Interviews with students, educators and researchers point to several factors. Men generally can earn the same wages as women with less education. But boys also are more likely to face suspensions or other discipline knocking them off track, and they don’t pursue help as often when they face mental health challenges. Some boys are fine when they first drop out, landing jobs providing steady incomes. But over the long term, lacking a high school degree can hold men back. Studies show young men who drop out o...

Moms for Liberty unexpectedly finds itself at the center of a heated suburban Indiana mayoral race

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

CARMEL, Ind. (AP) — An Indiana Moms for Liberty chapter has followed the conservative group’s national playbook, challenging diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in school districts as part of its “parental rights” mission. But the chapter’s aims and use of a quote from Adolf Hitler in its inaugural newsletter unexpectedly spilled over this fall into a mayor’s race previously defined by local development.The polarizing nature of Moms for Liberty, which has gained name recognition for its push to pack school boards with its endorsements, has spurred some left-leaning candidates to capitalize on opposition to the group and stir voters against their conservative opponents. In Carmel, Indiana, the Democratic candidate for mayor has repeatedly used the group when attacking his opponent, even though the mayor’s office has no administrative power over school districts, and the local chapter has publicly remained silent on the race outside of its traditional battleground.Democratic...

The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 8: Last-minute moves

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

UPDATE: 11:01 p.m. SaturdayWe’ve gotten a bit more clarity tonight on a couple of questionable quarterbacks.San Francisco’s Brock Purdy and Las Vegas’ Jimmy Garoppolo have both been cleared to play tomorrow. But considering this is a bye-free week, only Purdy should be considered by fantasy mavens for a start this week.UPDATE: 12:41 p.m. SaturdayToday has been pretty light on fantasy news so far. The biggest news, probably, is that Carolina running back Miles Sanders is expected to return tomorrow against Houston after being sidelined by a shoulder injury.Miami WR Tyreek Hill (hip) has been cleared to play as he continues his pursuit of the NFL’s first 2,000-yard receiving season. Considered likely to play Sunday are 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and Seattle wideout Tyler Lockett.Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has been ruled out again, which means it’s another week for Tyrod Taylor. And standouts listed as questionable include Giants TE Darren Waller and Cleveland RB Jerome Ford.OR...

UCLA defense posts 7 sacks in 28-16 victory over Colorado

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

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — UCLA's defense sacked Colorado's Shedeur Sanders seven times and the 23rd-ranked Bruins broke open a close game at halftime with three second-half touchdowns in a 28-16 victory over the Buffaloes.UCLA coach Chip Kelly had a simple message for his team at halftime — get in the holiday spirit. In this case, the one on Tuesday and not looking ahead to the one two months from now. There is another Sanders at CU: Deion’s daughter, Shelomi, plays hoops and goes by ‘Bossy’ "I had to remind our kids that this was Halloween, not Christmas. We need to stop giving away gifts. And let's just make sure that it's Halloween, so let's put your scary masks on and go play," Kelly said.After committing four turnovers in the first half, the 23rd-ranked Bruins broke open a close game with three second-half touchdowns and haunted Colorado's Shedeur Sanders all night en route to a 28-16 victory over the Buffaloes on Saturday night.UCLA (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12) led 7-6 at halftime, but s...