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Russian official: Ukrainian drones hit Crimea oil depot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:42:06 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A massive fire erupted at an oil depot in Crimea after it was hit by two of Ukraine’s drones, a Russia-appointed official there reported Saturday, the latest in a series of attacks on the annexed peninsula as Russia braces for an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed governor of Sevastopol, a port city in Crimea, posted videos and photos of the blaze on his Telegram channel. Razvozhayev said the fire at the city’s harbor was assigned the highest ranking in terms of how complicated it will be to extinguish. However, he reported that the open blaze had been contained. Razvozhayev said the oil depot was attacked by “two enemy drones,” and four oil tanks burned down. A third drone was shot down from the sky over Crimea, and one more was deactivated through radio-electronic means, according to Crimea’s Moscow-appointed governor, Sergei Aksyonov. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that mo...

Threatened Quebec caribou herd expecting up to 12 calves this year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:42:06 GMT

MONTRÉAL, France — A caribou herd in Charlevoix, Que., could be heading toward a baby boom this year, providing a rare bit of good news for the province’s decimated population.Caroline Hins, a biologist with the province’s Wildlife Department, confirmed all 12 of the herd’s breeding-age females are believed to be pregnant, after tests that showed high progesterone levels.“It’s very good news,” she said in an interview Friday.She said that if all the pregnancies are carried to term and the calves survive — and there’s no guarantee of that — the herd northeast of Quebec City will have doubled in size in a year and a half.The Quebec government captured the herd, then numbered at 16, and placed it in an enclosure in February 2022 as part of a controversial plan to prevent isolated herds from dying out. Five healthy calves were born last year, out of eight presumed pregnancies.The government has argued that enclosing caribou represents their best...

Things you may not know about historic Barton Springs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:42:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Referred to by some as the “The Crown Jewel of Austin,” Barton Springs as a city facility has provided Austinites a cool refuge during blazing summers for over a century.While going for a dip on a hot afternoon may be the most interesting fact to some, here are a few more historical tidbits about the iconic three-acre pool you may not have known. While the springs as we know them have been used for hundreds of years, the history of Barton goes back even further.Barton Springs PoolAccording to historical accounts, modern use of Barton Springs began nearly 200 years ago when colonists settled in the region. William Barton came to Texas from Alabama in 1828 and settled in Stephen F. Austin’s Little Colony. Barton came with his wife, five kids and five slaves. He worked on a survey crew for Austin’s Little Colony and was granted an area that included a small creek – known now as Barton Creek, according to historical accounts. However, whether the land that includes ...

'Left out:' School support staff push for better pay amid teacher raises

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:42:06 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — After more than two decades serving students as a special education paraeducator, Tammy Reyes feels right at home in her Galena Park school. The struggle begins, however, when she finds no place to go home after school."In my current situation, I'm homeless," she said. "I've been in Galena Park ISD for 23-plus years, and I'm homeless. I don't make enough. It's rough. It's really rough."Tammy makes $23,000 caring for special needs children and serving at the side of teachers. She could rely on her spouse's income when she was married, but in the twelve years since, she leaves exhausting days only to find extra money in other jobs. Working in children's ministry at her church helped to pad her paycheck for eight years. Cleaning houses also helped a little, until she was physically able to do no more."But I have a job with Galena Park that's 40 hours. I shouldn't have to work a second job. I shouldn't have to work a third job," she said. "My primary job should provid...

Volunteers improve habitat in hopes sharp-tailed grouse will return

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:42:06 GMT

KETTLE RIVER, Minn. — This should be the time of year when sharp-tailed grouse do their dancing, the territorial mating ritual when males square off to bluff fight and females gather to watch.To the winners of this chest-puffing, wing-spreading display of hormones goes the right to court, mate and pass on their progeny.But that’s not happening at the Firebird Wildlife Management Area in northwestern Carlton County anymore because the sharptails are all gone, echoing a problem across the region.“This should be a good spot. There have traditionally always been leks (dancing grounds) on this site, and several more within a couple miles around here. But not anymore,” said Chris Balzer, area wildlife manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “The numbers just kept going down until there weren’t any left.”But on a cold and windy Earth Day last week, two dozen volunteers showed up at the Firebird area to try to keep the habitat suitable for sharptails, hoping the birds wil...

Norwegian group will host Syttende Mai celebration in Stillwater

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:42:06 GMT

The St. Croix Valley Syttende Mai Society will host a banquet May 17 to observe Norway’s Constitution Day.“Syttende Mai” is Norwegian for “17th of May,” the day in 1814 the Norwegian Constitution was adopted, said Roger Bosmoe, president of the society.The holiday is “often thought of as Norway’s Fourth of July,” Bosmoe said. “Comparing it to our Independence Day is appropriate because Norway’s Constitution was patterned after the American Constitution.”Scandinavian historian Race Fisher, who has a degree in history and Nordic studies from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and a master’s degree in history from Illinois State University, will be the featured speaker at the May 2023 Syttende Mai celebration in Stillwater. (Courtesy of the St Croix Syttende Mai Society)The event will be at the Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center in Stillwater. Social hour starts at 5 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m.Scandinavian historian Race Fisher, who has a degree in history and Nordic studies from...

Gammelgården Museum in Scandia marks 51st year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:42:06 GMT

The idea for the Gammelgården Museum in Scandia was conceived in 1971 when the congregation of Elim Lutheran Church learned that its former pastor’s house and barn — dating back to the 1850s — were for sale.It turned out the church’s 1856 log sanctuary, which was being used as a hay barn, also was available and could be moved to the 11-acre site and restored.A group of church members formed a committee and Gammelgården, which means “old farm” in Swedish, opened in 1972. Other buildings have since been added to the site, including a welcome center that opened in 2002.“We have the oldest Lutheran pastor’s house in Minnesota, as well as the oldest Lutheran sanctuary in Minnesota,” said Lynne Blomstrand Moratzka, museum director.Plans to mark the open-air museum’s 50th year had to be put on hold because of leadership changes at the museum, so “we are celebrating our 51st anniversary and looking to the next 50 years,” Moratzka said. “This is the third century for five of our ...

St. Louis blues community mourns the loss of Tom Hall, a beloved musician

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:42:06 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- People are remembering the life of a St. Louis blues musician. Tom Hall died in a house fire a week ago today. He performed at SqWires in Lafayette Square for nearly two decades. The restaurant was packed with mourners. SqWires' management, friends, and fans all came out to pay tribute to the longtime favorite, Tom Hall. He was supposed to play on Friday, but he died.The blues singer was presumed dead in a barn fire last week. Hall performed at SqWires regularly. He was scheduled to perform Friday, but unfortunately, a memorial was held in its place. A fundraiser for his family was held instead. All proceeds donated via bar sales went to his family. They will continue to accept donations from anyone who wants to help. Tom has a daughter who is expecting; the proceeds will help her.The fire is still under investigation. The police are currently waiting for autopsy results. In the meantime, another memorial will take place next week.

Gateway Arch volunteer program seeks community help to tackle riverfront litter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:42:06 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- The volunteer program at the Gateway Arch is seeking 100 people or more to "team up to clean up" the St. Louis riverfront. This is all in celebration of National Park Week. The Mississippi River is one of the largest sources of oceanic plastic debris. Last year's clean-up brought in 35 bags of trash, 40 pounds of plastic, and 54 pounds of other recyclables kept out of the river. All volunteers will receive gloves, trash bags, water, and snacks. Volunteers are asked to park at the Kiener West Garage. You will receive validation. There's a clean-up happening from 9 to 11 this morning and another one from 11 to 1 this afternoon.

Rebuilding Together, St. Louis free home repairs for those in need

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:42:06 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- More than 300 volunteers with "Rebuilding Together St. Louis" will rehab 19 homes for people who need it most. For 30 years, the non-profit has provided free home repairs to veterans, people with disabilities, and low-income homeowners. Repairs include ramps, grab bars, plumbing, and electrical issues. For the first time in over a decade, the volunteer group includes a team of renovators composed entirely of women.