Kentucky school district rushes to fix bus route snarl that canceled classes and outraged parents

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:57:23 GMT

Kentucky school district rushes to fix bus route snarl that canceled classes and outraged parents LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A total overhaul of bus routes for Louisville’s school district turned into a logistical meltdown on the first day of classes because the new plan created too steep a learning curve for the system, district officials said Friday, forcing administrators to cancel two days of classes and leaving parents and state legislators fuming.It took just one disastrous day for Jefferson County Public Schools leaders to completely reexamine the transportation plan for Kentucky’s largest district, which serves 96,000 students. Some kids arrived home hours late on Wednesday, and classes were canceled Thursday and Friday.“We are reviewing what happened Wednesday to determine where the issues were created, why they happened and how to prevent them from happening again,” district spokesperson Mark Hebert said Friday.The district deployed a new bus routing system designed by AlphaRoute, a Boston-based consulting company that uses computer algorithms to map out course...

Kittens thriving after spending 5 days in shipping container from Georgia

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:57:23 GMT

Kittens thriving after spending 5 days in shipping container from Georgia ORLAND PARK, Ill. — Two kittens survived a harrowing five-day journey inside a shipping container from Georgia to the suburbs and are now thriving.Last month, One Goal Animal Foundation received a surprising call from a trucking company.After making some calls around the area, One Goal found out a truck driver discovered a black kitten inside of a shipping container at Sam's Club in Oswego. The container was sent by train and then picked up in the south suburbs by the truck driver.Because the shipment had a live animal inside, Sam's Club refused it and that's when One Goal was brought in. Another kitten was discovered at the trucking company. Niles introduces feral cat program for rat control "There were crackers," executive director Beata Zabrinas said. "We are guessing they ate the crackers to stay alive."While there were crackers in the container, the kittens, who are approximately four months old, survived the five-day trip without water."These kittens were completely feral, I...

'A walking miracle': 15-year-old girl survives lightning strike during NC storms

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:57:23 GMT

'A walking miracle': 15-year-old girl survives lightning strike during NC storms LANDIS, N.C. (WJZY) -- A 15-year-old lifeguard is counting her blessings after being struck by lightning in the middle of this week's severe storms in North Carolina.  Brynnlee Steger, of Kannapolis, said the Landis Pool had already closed to the public due to Monday's storms and her mom had just arrived to pick her up when the two of them and her lifeguard manager decided to bring in the umbrellas to prevent them from flying away.  “I had bent down to unscrew the bolts underneath the table, and I went to go pick it up, and I heard thunder, so I jumped and turned around,” said Brynnlee. “By the time I turned around, I felt it, like, it hit me, and I felt like my arm had literally got cut off.”  Employee dies in Rowan County workplace accident, officials say The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-1 tornado tore through that area of Rowan County on Monday afternoon. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the odds of being struck by lightning ar...

Will SoxFest return in 2024?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:57:23 GMT

Will SoxFest return in 2024? CHICAGO — The answer to a question for one baseball team in town led to the asking of another to the club on the south side.After the Cubs announced the dates for their 2024 fan convention, many White Sox fans were wondering if one for their team could return. So is SoxFest going to happen in 2024? Well, there isn't an answer yet. "No official plans for SoxFest to announce at the moment, but we are working on plans to celebrate fans this winter," was the answer from the White Sox to WGN this week. White Sox get headlines for the wrong reasons this week Fans of the White Sox have been asking this question after the team decided not to host a fan convention this past winter. It followed a disappointing 2022 season where the club finished 81-81 and out of the American League playoffs.The White Sox said the decision was made "due to several factors" in October 2022. Fortunes have only gotten worse for the White Sox in 2023 as the team has spent the majority of the season under .500 un...

Austin moving to Stage 2 drought restrictions next week; Watering times shortened by 3 hours

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:57:23 GMT

Austin moving to Stage 2 drought restrictions next week; Watering times shortened by 3 hours AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin will move to Stage 2 of its Drought Contingency Plan next week, as water levels on Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan continue to drop.A press release from the city said the combined storage level in the lakes is projected to drop below 900,000 acre-feet within the next few days.Interim City Manager Jesus Garza ordered the move to Stage 2 effective Tuesday, Aug. 15."For many years, Austin has leaned into water conservation in normal weather as well as drought," said Shay Ralls Roalson, director of Austin Water. "As our current drought continues, we know that the entire Austin community will respond to the need to conserve our most precious resource. We’re all in this together, and there is no substitute for water." LIST: What are the current water restrictions in your city? Here are the changes to watering restrictions under Stage 2:Automatic irrigation and hose-end watering are restricted to once per week, based on address.Automatic irrigation can on...

Son kills mother in murder/suicide in Georgetown, sheriff's office says

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:57:23 GMT

Son kills mother in murder/suicide in Georgetown, sheriff's office says WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Two people are dead after a murder/suicide in Georgetown on Thursday, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office said on Twitter.At approximately 5 p.m., WCSO responded to a home in the 500 block of Vaughn Street in Georgetown after a 911 caller said two people were shot, according to a news release from WCSO.Officials arrived on the scene and found one man and one woman dead, the release said.According to the investigation, WCSO said it was an isolated murder/suicide incident. On Friday, it identified those who died as 73-year-old Sylvia Rodriguez and her son, 52-year-old Albert Rodriguez. WCSO said it believed Albert was the shooter. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023? There was no danger to the public, and the incident remained under investigation Friday, WCSO said.

Local officials weigh in on Albany Airport investment

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:57:23 GMT

Local officials weigh in on Albany Airport investment ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $60M investment in the Albany International Airport. The state grant will allow for the expansion of the main terminal and fund new improvements to the airport, including play areas for children, sensory-friendly areas, increased passenger seating, and concessions. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Local officials weighed in on how the renovations will impact the airport. Senator Chuck Schumer noted that many current issues will be resolved, including long wait times in the security line. “Ask anyone who has flown out of Albany International Airport during peak hours, and they will tell you the line for security can often back up into the pedestrian walkway and even all the way to the parking garage," said Senator Schumer. "While the airport is vibrant and growing, it was built long before modern TSA security screening, and for years has been in desperate ne...

Albany dog rescue leader's memory to be honored with festival

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:57:23 GMT

Albany dog rescue leader's memory to be honored with festival NASSAU, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Albany based dog rescue Out of the Pits announced they will be celebrating the life and legacy of their late president and beloved animal activist Cydney Cross by presenting a festival in her honor. "Cyd Stock" will be held at Lyons Lake Pavilion in Nassau on September 10. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The festival will feature food trucks, live music, games and activities as the organization carries on the memory and life's work of Cross, who passed away on August 1. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lyons Lake Pavilion is located at 307 Lyons Lake Road. You can support Out of the Pits by visiting their website.

Dunkin’ is releasing a line of spiked coffee and tea

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:57:23 GMT

Dunkin’ is releasing a line of spiked coffee and tea BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.America runs on Dunkin’ — and the coffee chain is making sure that statement stays true, even late at night and on the weekends. As alcoholic offerings like boozy seltzers and canned cocktails continue to “spike” in popularity (pun fully intended), Dunkin’ is getting in the game with a line of drinks that pack a different kind of punch: Alcoholic coffees and iced teas.As VinePair reported, Dunkin’ registered to launch an alcoholic collection of beverages and has already launched a website for Dunkin’ Spiked, teasing several flavors based on drinks fans love from its coffee chain.We don’t know exactly when Dunkin’ Spiked drinks will be released, but Dunkin’ received label approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) back in May, so it could be any day now. Here’s everything else we know.What flavors of Dunkin’ Spiked drinks can you try?Dunkin’ is teasing two diff...

2040 plan underway for Warren County communities

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:57:23 GMT

2040 plan underway for Warren County communities QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - From the city of Glens Falls to communities in the lower Adirondack Park, Warren County is working on a plan for the future. This week, the county has announced Warren County 2040 - and the list of local leaders who hope to guide the set of North Country communities toward the future. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The plan is meant to serve as a roadmap for the future of the county. It will break down trends in demographics among those who live in and visit the region; look at where the county can do more to help individual communities; and look at how well-structured the county presently is for handling the demands of the terrain it covers. The county's range of municipalities rely on a combination of tourism and community engagement, and county staff and local elected officials know they can't get the job done alone.“Input from the public and other stakeholders in the county is critical to the de...