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All 7 victims of Pennsylvania chocolate factory blast found

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:46 GMT

WEST READING, Pa. (AP) — All seven bodies have been recovered from the site of a powerful explosion at a chocolate factory in a small town in eastern Pennsylvania, officials said.West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag said in a statement Sunday night that none of the victims will be named until officials are certain that all families have been contacted.“Please understand that this is a devastating loss, but we are truly grateful to bring closure to the families involved in the upcoming days,” Kaag said.West Reading Borough Chief of Police Wayne Holben said at a press briefing just after 9 p.m. that rescue workers had found the bodies earlier in the evening and that they are believed to be the remaining two individuals who were listed as missing earlier in the day. Their identities will be confirmed by the Berks County Coroner’s Office, he said.One of the victims was found around 6:50 p.m. and the other around 8:20 p.m., Holben said. The deaths brought the total number killed to seven in ...

Isolated storms late day, low severe risk

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Although no day looks like a washout, every day this week will bring a low chance of showers and storms, but little in the way of meaningful rain is expected.A few isolated storms are possible this evening into early night (5PM-11PM) with a low risk of strong to severe storms east of I-35. Coverage looks minimal, but one or two storms may have just enough strength to bring a hail risk.Low risk of sever storms east of I-35 late MondayA weak cold front will slide in early Tuesday morning bringing cooler temperatures and a bump in wind speeds. We'll hang on to a low chance of a few spots of light rain (10%) Tuesday and Wednesday, but midweek will be dry for most of us.More storms and potentially severe weather return Thursday into Friday. Some rain chances continue into next weekend too. Watching for a possible risk of severe storms late weekFIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather newsletter at kxan.com/newslette...

Marble Falls High School choir performs unexpected concert on European stage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a 30-hour travel day, the Marble Falls High School choir finally touched down in Europe, ready to visit, and possibly perform, in some of the most breathtaking cathedrals and basilicas in Spain and Portugal. The group did not know it yet, but their adventure would soon lead them to a perform on a stage very few high school choirs get a chance to see. It is a tradition that Bryce Gage, the Marble Falls choir teacher, started back in 2013. Every two years, Gage will take his students overseas to learn about the history and culture of different countries and to perform concerts. "We sing nearly everyday somewhere," Gage explained. The trip can be life-changing and eye-opening for many students. Gage said some of the kids on this most recent spring break trip had never been on a plane before, and some had never even left the state of Texas. Gage also said he pushes the kids to avoid eating at the international chains, such as Starbucks and McDonald's, and instead...

Keeping the connection: On Wisconsin’s Madeline Island, residents aim to preserve their ferry lifeline

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:46 GMT

The Island Queen cuts through a channel after departing La Pointe on Madeline Island Tuesday, March 21, 2023 in Lake Superior. The ferry provides a critical lifeline for the island’s residents, who depend on it for transportation of goods and services, daily commutes and tourist travel. (Derek Montgomery / MPR News)LA POINTE, Wis. — Ask any of the 400 or so year-round residents of Madeline Island about the ferry that motors back and forth on Lake Superior from Bayfield, Wis., and invariably they’ll use the word “lifeline” to describe its importance to their day-to-day lives.The Madeline Island Ferry Line’s five boats carry locals and their vehicles on the 25-minute trip across to the island. They also carry workers back and forth and, of course, throngs of tourists in the summer.The ferry hauls the mail, groceries, propane tanks, beer, lumber and appliances.It also takes students to and from school on the mainland. And when there’s an emergency on the island, a boat is a...

St. Paul centenarian Gordon Kirk ‘still trying to be of assistance to others’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:46 GMT

There were four generations of Gordon Kirks at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on Sunday morning.The eldest Gordon Kirk celebrated his 100th birthday last week, and his grandson, great-grandson and great-great-grandson joined about two dozen parishioners in the church’s basement after the 10 a.m. service to mark their namesake’s milestone.“I guess I’m just one of the lucky ones,” Kirk said of his longevity. “I’ve been blessed. I mean, I’m the first Kirk to ever reach 100 years old. Dad died at 99, mother died at 94.”St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz both issued proclamations last week recognizing the World War II veteran’s service to his city and state.Kirk has spent much of his long life helping others. Holy Trinity parishioner Paula Mitchell described Kirk as a pillar of the community.“We could always depend on him,” she said Sunday. “At 100 years old, he’s still trying to be of assi...

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Was I Wrong to Fix My Friend's Restaurant Bill Tip?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:46 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Jason, and it's about tipping. Here's the email: Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Hi Jaime. I was put in a strange situation the other night at dinner and now my buddy is mad at me. Let me explain. My friend Ken and I went out to dinner. He INSISTED on picking up the tab because we hadn't seen each other in a while, and that was mostly due to his crazy schedule. Anyway, I noticed that Ken left a terrible tip for the server. And this server actually went above and beyond and deserved a great tip. Anyway, when I saw that, I pulled out my wallet and threw in another ten bucks on top of what Ken left. Apparently, that insulted Ken. I tried to explain that I just really liked the service, but he got pretty angry, and we left the evening not on the best terms. Was I wrong to do that? I certainly didn't want to insult Ken, but I also wanted to make sure the server g...

Trout Day at Grafton Lakes State Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:46 GMT

GRAFTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Grafton Lakes State Park will host its annual Trout Day in April. While the exact date is yet to be determined, a spokesperson for the event says it will fall during Spring Break between April 11-14. It will start at 10 a.m. and last until 12:30 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Trout-shaped treats, crafts, and educational booths will be offered. Anyone can come to learn about their habitats, fly tying, and macroinvertebrates. It will be $3 cash per person, with anyone 5 and under free. The Department of Environmental Conservation will bring trout at noon. After the event, children under 16 will have the chance to learn to fish. Anyone 16 and over must have a valid NYS fishing license to participate.No registration is necessary, and the event is wheelchair accessible. Grafton Lakes State Park is off Route 2, twelve miles east of Troy, New York. Attendees are asked to use the park's main entrance...

Ask Amy: Enduring friendship marred by drunk-dials

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:46 GMT

Dear Amy: I have a good friend from college who I’ve kept in touch with for decades.He lives in another part of the country, and I see him every few years.He’s had a lot of challenges in life. I’ve always been a good friend to him, and really care about him. We share a lot of laughs.Unfortunately, he is an alcoholic.His daughter once told my husband and me not to confront him about his drinking because he will get defensive.The last time we saw him, he kept his drinking in check and we had a great visit.The problem is, he regularly “drinks and dials.”I don’t pick up if he calls in the evening. He sometimes leaves slurring, rambling voicemails for me. I will call him back a few days later during the day when he is sober.He recently left a particularly drunken voicemail, and I haven’t called him back.I doubt he even remembers leaving the message. He’s called a few times since and hasn’t left a message.I’ve never confronted him about his drinking, bu...

Spain's PM Sanchez to push for 'territorial integrity' for Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:46 GMT

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (pictured) said on Saturday (25 March) he would push for fair peace in the war in Ukraine that included "territorial integrity" during a state visit to China next week.Sanchez, speaking to journalists at the Ibero-American Summit meeting in the Dominican Republic, said he would discuss peace prospects with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is trying to position himself as a mediator in the war between Russia and Ukraine."The most important thing ... is that when this peace is reached in Ukraine, it will be fair and lasting ... and when we talk about fair, I mean that the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which has been violated by Putin, is respected," Sanchez said in a news conference.Spain, a NATO member whose foreign policy is closely aligned with the United States, is a staunch ally of Ukraine and will assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union in July.Last month, Beijing outlined a 12-point peace plan and called for a compreh...

Ski resorts in California got so much snow they’re going to stay open through June

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:46 GMT

By Zoe Sottile | CNNThe slopes are open for summer, at least in California.Several California ski resorts have announced they have received so much snow that they plan to stay open until well into the summer months.Mammoth Mountain, a popular four-season resort located in the Eastern Sierra mountains, announced earlier this week it would be open for skiing at least until the end of July. This is the earliest in the year the resort has ever announced it would be open so late, communications director Lauren Burke told CNN over email.RELATED: Top 10 historic Sierra snow seasonsBurke said that the resort was just 5 inches away from breaking its season snowfall record of 668″ inches, set in 2010.“We aim to keep lifts spinning until as long as conditions allow, which definitely could go into August this season,” she wrote. “Spring skiing and riding conditions are going to be the best we’ve ever seen with the mountain in mid-winter form.”Snow blankets Ma...