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Fatal Florida train crash highlights dangers of private, unguarded crossings that exist across US

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The weekend crash between a train and an SUV that killed six people in Florida happened at a private road crossing where little more than a sign or two is required — no crossing gates, no flashing lights, no warning sound.The Federal Railroad Administration reports there are more than 80,000 such crossings in the U.S. and has recommended installation of uniform, easy-to-understand warning signs, though officials often have no jurisdiction over the private crossings. Over a 10-year period ending in 2017 there were 3,427 accidents at private crossings, about 14% of the national total during that span, according to the agency.Another one happened Saturday night at a crossing near Plant City, Florida, east of Tampa. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said that just before 7 p.m., a Cadillac Escalade driven by Jose G. Hernandez, 52, crossed the tracks into the path of a CSX train going 55 mph (88 kph).Hernandez died Sunday at a hospit...

Emergency meeting held with Miami city officials after slab of building falls on street during demolition in Brickell 

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

City leaders in Miami are searching for answers after a building demolition caused chaos on the street. According to the City of Miami Fire Rescue, a slab of a building that was being demolished tumbled to the ground in the area of Brickell Avenue and Seventh Street, at around 2:40 p.m., Saturday.The work within the site was paused pending a meeting between city officials and those responding, Monday morningAs of Monday afternoon, there has been no word on what occurred during the meeting with city officials. 7News reached out to Pompano Beach-based construction company Alpha Wrecking, who are handling the building’s demolition. The company has not responded to 7News. The developers of the project, Swire Properties, released the following statement that reads as follows, “The incident is under investigation. We’re grateful that there were no injuries or significant property damage. Safety is our absolute top priority. The site has been secured and work is stopped ...

2 people face charges in connection with alleged illegal dental operation out of Milford convenience store

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

Two people are facing charges after Milford police said they uncovered an illegal dentist office operating out of the back of a local convenience store. Milford police announced charges in the case on Saturday following what police described as an “extensive investigation” involving both the Milford Police Department and the Milford Board of Health. Milford’s police chief later discussed the case on Monday, asking anyone who visited the dentist office to come forward to get checked out.“My big concern is sepsis (and) infection,” said Police Chief Robbie Tusino.Milford police said the dentist office in question was located at the Alternativa Convenience Store on Main Street. One man, Juan Hermida Munoz, allegedly operated the dentist office within the store without a license, providing services including examinations, tooth extractions, anesthetics and cleanings, according to police. Munoz was subsequently summonsed to court charges including unauthorized practice of m...

Woman with local ties launches into space to work on the International Space Station

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

A woman with local ties recently launched into space to do work on the International Space Station. Astronaut Loral O’Hara formerly worked at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution before signing up to go into space. Speaking with 7NEWS, one of her former coworkers discussed seeing O’Hara shoot for the stars. “Loral is just a shining, shining star,” said Dennis McGillicuddy, a senior scientist at Woods Hole. O’Hara once worked as an engineer at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Now, she is making her first spaceflight with a Russian crew to the ISS. “She is an incredibly gifted and talented mechanical engineer which is what brought her to us originally but that drive to explore was clearly present from the get-go,” McGillicuddy said. McGillicuddy continued, saying space exploration isn’t that different from exploring the oceans.“Like space, the deep ocean is a very harsh environment with very, very high pressures, ...

Write stuff: Scribes make tentative deal on strike

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

LOS ANGELES — The union representing screenwriters reached a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios to end a historic strike after nearly five months, raising hopes that a crippling shutdown of movie and television filming could be near an end.The governing boards of the two branches of the Writers Guild of America are likely to vote on the contract Tuesday. With their approval, writers will then vote on the deal, and the strike can officially end. Network shows including NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” could return to the air within days.Details of the agreement have not yet been made public or even shared with the writers themselves because the contract language is being finalized. But the WGA said in an email to members that the deal was “exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.”The pact “was made possible by the enduring solidarity of WGA members and extraordinary su...

Bruins announce roster for Sabres game on Tuesday

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

The Bruins announced the roster the roster for Tuesday’s preseason game in Buffalo and it will be Milan Lucic’s first time in uniform since re-signing with the B’s in the summer.John Beecher, who had a strong game in the B’s 3-0 win over the New York Rangers on Sunday in the preseason opener, will be back in the lineup as he vies for the fourth line center slot. Mason Lohrei, the B’s top defense prospect will make his preseason debut. Danton Heinen and Alex Chiasson, two veterans in camp on tryout agreements, will get their first chance to push for a roster spot.BRUINS ROSTER AT BUFFALO ON TUESDAY (7 pm)Forwards: John Beecher, Jesper Boqvist, Alex Chiasson, John Farinacci, Danton Heinen, Trevor Kuntar, Jakub Lauko, Milan Lucic, Marc McLaughlin, Jayson Megna, Georgii Merkulov, Oskar Steen, Luke ToporowskiDefensemen: Frederic Brunet, Brandon Carlo, Jackson Edward, Matt Grzelcyk, Mason Lohrei, Ryan Mast, Ian MitchellGoaltenders: Michael DiPietro, Kyle Keyser

Orioles top prospect Jackson Holliday named Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

Just over a year ago, a baby-faced, 18-year-old Jackson Holliday was terrorizing high school pitchers in his hometown of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Flash forward to Monday and Holliday is still a teenager and he’s still terrorizing opposing pitchers — only now they’re professionals. The 19-year-old has put together an outstanding 2023 season and has reached Triple-A, where the average pitcher is 27 years old.For his standout season, Holliday was named Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year, becoming the second straight Oriole with the accolade after Gunnar Henderson, another left-handed-hitting infielder drafted by Baltimore out of high school, won the award in 2022. Henderson is now the favorite to win the American League Rookie of the Year.Holliday won Baseball America’s 2022 High School Player of the Year and, with Monday’s honor, joined former Minnesota Twins Joe Mauer and Byron Buxton and Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. as the only pla...

From Mississippi to pro ball: 2023 first-rounder Jacob Gonzalez makes the leap with the Chicago White Sox

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

Jacob Gonzalez had a full day on Sept. 16 at Guaranteed Rate Field.The shortstop met with Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol, threw a ceremonial first pitch before the team’s game against the Minnesota Twins and even swung by the gift shop.The 2023 first-round MLB draft pick toured the ballpark he’s aiming to call the home after beginning his professional baseball journey.Gonzalez appeared in 34 games with the Arizona Complex League White Sox (four contests) and Class A Kannapolis (30) this season.“It was a lot of fun,” Gonzalez said. “Coming from college to the minors, it’s nice to be done with school and focus on baseball every day. I like playing every day. It’s a change of pace obviously because in college, you only play four times a week. Having games every day is fun, being able to compete every day.”The Sox selected Gonzalez with the No. 15 pick of the MLB draft out of Mississippi on July 9. The Sox announced terms on a deal...

Trump argues First Amendment protects him from ‘insurrection’ cases aimed at keeping him off ballot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI (Associated Press)DENVER (AP) — Attorneys for former President Donald Trump argue that an attempt to bar him from the 2024 ballot under a rarely used “insurrection” clause of the Constitution should be dismissed as a violation of his freedom of speech.The lawyers made the argument in a filing posted Monday by a Colorado court in one of the most significant of a series of challenges to Trump’s candidacy under the Civil War-era clause in the 14th Amendment. The challenges rest on Trump’s attempts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden and his role leading up to the violent Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.“At no time do Petitioners argue that President Trump did anything other than engage in either speaking or refusing to speak for their argument that he engaged in the purported insurrection,” wrote attorney Geoffrey Blue.Trump also will argue that the clause doesn’t apply to him because “the F...

Haunted Houses in San Diego to visit this Halloween

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- With the return of crisp autumn air, grim grinning ghosts have returned to revel in the Halloween season, bringing with them plenty of spooky experiences to San Diego County for thrill seekers to enjoy.From haunted houses to immersive spooky carnivals, there are plenty of ways for fear-enthusiasts to feel the adrenaline rush of a bone-chilling scare.Kick off the Halloween season right at one of these San Diego spook-filled events worthy for you to face your fears. Where to find pumpkin patches in San Diego County Here's a round-up of spooky experiences across the county:SeaWorld Howl-O-ScreamThe spooky carnival returns to SeaWorld with the annual Howl-O-Scream event. Get a nighttime thrill with angry haunts in scare zones, houses of horrors and more. Delicious cocktails, beer and spirits will also be available to quench your thirst while watching electric live shows.When: Sept. 29 through Oct. 31Where: 500 SeaWorld Dr., San Diego, CA 92109Admission: Starting at $41.99...