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Larry Magid: Time to think about back-to-school devices and policies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:57 GMT

Even though it’s only early August, many families are on the verge of sending their kids back to school. That’s a major change from when I was a kid, when families didn’t even have to think about getting ready for school until after Labor Day. So, if you haven’t yet done so, this is a good time to think about school-related tech devices as well as tech policies for your family and your community.DevicesBefore you spend anything on new tech, check with your school or district to see what they offer and what they recommend. Some schools issue devices to students such as Chromebooks, tablets or even laptops. School provided devices  are typically referred to as “one-to-one” or “1:1” programs and are often motivated by the desire to provide a level playing field so that all students have the devices they need to support learning.  According to FutureSource Consulting, the percentage of schools undertaking 1:1 device programs in the United States increased from 61% in 2...

Hundreds of boxes of hazardous chemicals found at San Pablo home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:57 GMT

(KRON) -- Some San Pablo residents are being ordered to evacuate due to a hazardous materials incident on Wednesday. The evacuation order is for the area between Giant Road, Miner Avenue, 11th Street, and Palmer Avenue. People in this area are being told to leave immediately. An evacuation center is being set up at the Contra Costa Community College Gym at 2600 Mission Bell Drive parking lot 6. The city says only to bring essential items that can be carried. Pets must be in a carrier or on a leash. The city asks that residents only call to report a life-threatening emergency. If you cannot leave your home without help, call 911.According to Captain Chris Toler with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, neighbors said the homeowner passed away a few months ago. The homeowner’s brother was in the process of cleaning up the property when he discovered hazardous chemicals. According to neighbors, the homeowner was a professor and chemist.Various types of hazardous chemi...

Mountain lions spotted in North Bay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:57 GMT

(KRON) -- There were several sightings of a mountain lion in Petaluma and Cotati early Thursday morning.In Petaluma, a mountain lion was spotted in the parking lot of Kohl's and Home 2 Suites Hotel on North McDowell Boulevard, according to the Petaluma Police Department. According to reports, many people saw the mountain lion within a close distance as it traveled between the hotel and nearby stores around 12:15 a.m. Evacuation order issued in San Pablo due to hazmat incident Animal control and PPD attempted to locate the mountain lion but were unsuccessful. A Nixle alert was sent out around the time of the sighting, police said.Residents in Cotati also spotted a mountain Thursday morning along Myrtle Avenue, according to police. The police department sent out a Nixle alert around 6 a.m. informing residents the animal was traveling towards Rohnert Park's L Section.The public is advised to be aware of their surroundings as it is possible that the mountains lion may return to the a...

Oakland airport finishes new security exit project

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:57 GMT

(KRON) -- The Oakland International Airport recently completed its $11 million security project.The project, located in Terminal 2, will prevent passenger backflow from non-secure areas, preventing security breaches. Passengers who exit Terminal 2 will now pass through motion sensors and two sets of automatic doors before entering the public baggage claim area. Oakland police seeing uptick in ATM robberies “I’d like to thank our passengers for their patience over the past few months as our OAK team and contractors have been hard at work on the Terminal 2 Security Exit Project,” says Craig Simon, Interim Director of Aviation at the Port of Oakland. “We are proud to unveil this finished product that will provide additional non-intrusive security measures while incorporating attractive design elements that welcome arriving passengers to our vibrant community.”It took six months for the project to be completed.

Protesters against Eritrea’s government set fire to booths at cultural festival in Sweden

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:57 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — An Eritrea -themed cultural festival in Sweden took a turbulent turn Thursday when about a thousand anti-Eritrean government protesters set fire to booths, tore down outsdoor shelters and threw rocks, according to Swedish media.Swedish police said there was no immediate reports of any injuries. But Swedish newspapers said several people were hurt in connection with what the publications described as a riot.The Expressen newspaper said at least nine police buses were at the site of the Festival Eritrea Scandinavia, an annual event that has been held since the 1990s at Järvafältet, a nature reserve in northern Stockholm. The festival opened Thursday and was scheduled to run through Sunday.Sweden is home to tens of thousands of people with Eritrean roots. The festival devoted to the cultural heritage of Eritrea has been criticized for allegedly serving as a promotional tool and source of money for for the African nation’s government, according to Swedish media.Hu...

Germany’s exit at the Women’s World Cup caps wild finale to the group stage as upsets continue

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:57 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — In a wild finale to the group stage of the Women’s World Cup, two-time champion Germany was eliminated on Thursday and the second lowest-ranked team in the tournament, Morocco, advanced to the knockout stage. Colombia also advanced as Group H winner to round off a slew of upsets in the opening weeks of the competition being held in Australia and New Zealand. A day earlier, Jamaica eliminated another favorite, Brazil, to advance to the round of 16, while South Africa is also through to the next stage after its stoppage-time winner against Italy. But Germany’s early exit after a 1-1 draw with South Korea stands out as the biggest shock in a tournament full of surprises. “I can’t explain what happened today. … The disappointment is huge, I can’t put it into words,” Germany midfielder Lena Oberdorf said. Ranked No. 2 by FIFA, the runner-up at last year’s European Championship was one of the favorites to win the World Cup. And after opening the tourn...

Drexel men’s basketball player Terrence Butler found dead in his apartment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:57 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Drexel men’s basketball player Terrence Butler was found dead in his on-campus apartment on Wednesday, the school said. No other details were provided.Butler, a rising junior from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was a reserve on the team and appeared in eight games in two seasons with the Dragons.“On behalf of the entire Drexel community, we extend our deepest sympathy to Terrence’s family, friends and teammates,” university President John Fry in a statement. “In addition to being a student-athlete, Terrence was involved in numerous activities and organizations at Drexel and was a friend to many throughout the University community.”The 6-foot-7 forward was named to the Coastal Athletic Association Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll last season. He dealt with injuries the last two seasons.Butler is survived by his parents and two sisters, who both played college basketball.___AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/h...

Police search for suspect in deadly shooting near City Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:57 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — A man was shot and killed near City Park on Thursday morning. Just before 7:30 a.m., the Denver Police Department tweeted that officers were investigating a shooting in the 1700 block of North Race Street. The area is in the City Park West neighborhood, just a few blocks north of Colfax.When officers arrived, they located a man who was pronounced dead at the scene. His death is now being investigated as a homicide.Denver Police said they are working to develop suspect information.The identity of the victim will be released at a later time by the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner.

This animal shelter is reducing adoption fees in August

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:57 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Throughout August, the Denver Animal Shelter discounts all fur babies by almost $100 along with free spay/neuter surgery, microchip, vaccines and a one-year license.The goal is to reduce the number of pets in the shelter. So far this year, 1,150 dogs and cats were adopted into loving homes, according to the DAS. As of now, there are almost 100 and counting dogs and cats available for adoption. 477 pets surrendered to Denver Animal Shelter already this year "It's been extremely challenging because the intake policies of a lot of other area shelters have limited the type and number of animals that they take in, it's called 'manage admission,'" said Melanie Sobel, director of Denver's Department of Animal Protection. "So, they put people on waiting lists or send them to other shelters and just say, 'We're not accepting those animals.' So basically, these animals get circumvented to us, and we take them in because we believe that's our role."Falcon, an Australian catt...

No injuries reported after helicopter door falls on furniture store roof in Fort Myers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:57 GMT

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WSVN) — Employees at a furniture store in Fort Myers were startled by a loud boom that reverberated through the vicinity Thursday morning. At first, they suspected that a vehicle had collided with the store, but upon inspection, they found no signs of any such accident. To their surprise, local deputies made an unusual discovery – a helicopter door resting on the store’s roof.Neither individuals on the ground nor the five occupants aboard the helicopter suffered any injuries in the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the matter and confirmed that the door belonged to a privately owned 1982 B-105 helicopter registered in Montana.According to information from a flight tracking app, the helicopter had taken off just before 10 a.m. from a small airport in Fort Myers. Shortly after takeoff, the door detached and fell off during a short-distance flight, landing back at the airport moments later.The inci...