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Blind rower joins his son to compete in Head of the Charles Regatta

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

As tens of thousands of rowers descend on the Charles River for the Head of the Charles Regatta, a father-son duo have a unique advantage – one of them is blind.For a blind rower like Dan Berlin, feel and sound is already the world around him.“You have one person either in the bow or a coxswain in the boat looking forward and everyone else just kind of follows the motion of the boat so it’s kind of feel and sound,” Dan Berlin said.Dan and his son Adrien have been rowing together for eight years. Dan, diagnosed with a degenerative eye disorder when he was a child, started rowing in their hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado when Adrien joined his high school team.“It’s just a great thing we started doing together because I was like ‘hey I’m doing it, I think you’d think this is cool, why don’t you do it,'” Adrien said, “and it just kind of evolved into something that the two of us have really bonded over.”The training is intense, and the pair race in a doubles boat, which c...

Shuttle buses replacing service along part of Green Line Extension

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

Shuttle buses were replacing train service along part of the MBTA’s Green Line Extension Friday afternoon, the T said. The MBTA first announced delays on the Green Line in a post on X around 3:45 p.m., saying a train with a pantograph problem near Lechmere station was to blame.In an update shortly after 4 p.m., the T said shuttle buses were replacing service between North Station and Union Square station. The T said shuttles were continuing to replace train service as of around 4:45 p.m. “Passengers may use Rt 80 bus for alternate service between Medford/Tufts and Lechmere,” the T said in a post. “Passengers may also consider Rts 86, 91, and CT2 from Union Sq to Sullivan Sq for Orange Line service.”This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Kendra Lara faces fewer charges related to July crash into Jamaica Plain home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

The weight of charges against City Councilor Kendra Lara following a June car crash into a Jamaica Plain house got a little lighter, with prosecutors dismissing two charges.Lara, 34, who represents Jamaica Plain as the District 6 councilor, appeared in municipal court in West Roxbury Friday with speeding and reckless operation dismissed from the lineup of charges related to the July 7 crash. A charge for failing to wear a seat belt will not move forward as it has reached its end with a finding of not responsible.The charges remaining include recklessly permitting bodily injury to a child under 14 years old, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, driving with a suspended license, driving an uninsured vehicle, driving an unregistered vehicle, and not placing a child under 8 years old and under 58 inches in a car seat. She pleaded not guilty to all charges.Lara has not been licensed for a decade, the Herald has reported. The injury to a child charge is related injuries suffered by her...

Battenfeld: Boston city councilors hand out big, taxpayer-funded bonuses to staffers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

Christmas comes early for the Boston City Council.Councilors continue to hand out hefty, taxpayer-funded pay bonuses to staffers in a practice that smacks of old school politics excess.Councilor-at-large Michael Flaherty, who is retiring at the end of the year, this week doled out nearly $25,000 worth of bonuses to four staffers, records show.That includes a $9,885 one-time bonus to staffer Paul Sullivan, $6,115 bonuses to aides Clare Brooks and Mary Karski and a $2,519 bonus to assistant Tricia Kalayjian, according to records.Flaherty isn’t the only one giving bonuses but it adds a certain sting when a councilor hands them out a few months before leaving office. Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson tried to give one staffer — her sister — a $7,000 bonus until she was caught by the Ethics Commission.How many people would like to get a $10,000 or $7,000 bonus? A lot of people work hard, but don’t get handed big taxpayer funded bonuses.They get on the malfunctioning T ...

Home Showcase: A house for horse fans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

With 16 Main Street in Dover, you don’t just get a thoughtfully renovated 1812 antique Colonial, you also get to make your equestrian dreams come true.Is there anything better than having your beloved companions whinny at you when you come home from work? For the horse girls and horse-girls-at-heart, the gracious family home holds the promise of having all your favorite things all in the same place.Set on 2.84 acres with mature trees, landscaping, and even room to add a pool, the estate dazzles with a main house and two-level barn.Families, especially those that love to host, will appreciate the home’s many spaces for entertaining, including the oversized dining room with fireplace and family room with custom built-ins. Naturally, there’s an updated gourmet kitchen with radiant heat, pantry, and adjoining sitting room with a wood stove and oversized windows looking out over the grounds.Five bedrooms, including a primary suite with a marble bath, occupy the second and third floors, a...

Arson suspected in fire at Hillcrest LGBTQ+ bar: SDFD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Authorities are investigating for suspected arson after the outside awnings of a Hillcrest LGBTQ+ bar caught fire overnight on Friday.Around 12:30 a.m., San Diego Fire-Rescue crews were alerted to the fire at Gossip Grill, located at 1220 University Ave. The nightclub is the sole bar in the county that puts queer and transgender women at the center of its business.According to SDFD, firefighters were able to knock down the flames in about nine minutes, confining the damage to the exterior structures. The interior of the restaurant and surrounding businesses were unimpacted by the blaze. Ocean Beach Pier closed due to high surf No injuries were reported to staff, patrons or fire crews as a result of the incident, SDFD said."We were extremely lucky. San Diego Fire was here in a heartbeat," owner and manager of Gossip, Moe Girton, told FOX 5. "The awnings are fire-resistant, they didn't burn all that fast."Girton, who was notified of the fire by a neighboring bar, said ...

Viral TikTok of bedbug spooks Torontonians, experts don’t be paranoid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

A recent viral TikTok that purported to show a bedbug on the TTC has been spooking Toronto residents more than usual, but experts say it’s not unusual for the critters to be spotted in a high-traffic area.It could also include hotels, convention centres, restaurants, public transportation, movie theatres, doctors offices, you name it,” said Bernie Grafe of Orkin Canada, a pest control company.Anxiety over bedbugs began to rise following Paris Fashion Week last month when viral videos of the bugs began popping up despite officials’ reassurance there was no resurgence of cases.Many were worried that the bugs would hitch a ride on those travelling back home. But while Toronto did top the list of Orkin’s worst cities in Canada for bedbugs released last spring, Grafe said the odds of you taking one home are still small. “It’s certainly a risk but at the end of the day it’s not something that everyone should be extremely paranoid about,” exp...

Illinois leaders praise release of Evanston mother, daughter taken hostage by Hamas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

CHICAGO — Illinois elected leaders have spoken out in support of the release of a mother and daughter from Evanston who were being held hostage by Hamas.In a statement, the Palestinian militant group said that in an agreement with the Qatari government, it was freeing Judith Tai Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie for humanitarian reasons.SEE ALSO: Mother, daughter from Evanston who were held hostage by Hamas have been releasedIllinois Governor JB Pritzker and many other leaders in the Chicago area and beyond issued statements Friday, expressing gratitude and excitement in welcoming Judith and Natalie home.The family’s rabbi confirmed with WGN News that the pair has been released and handed over to the Red Cross and will be taken to Egypt. A photo provided to WGN News offered a first look at the Chicago-area Hamas captives following their release. (Credit: Israeli Prime Minister's Office)I am incredibly relieved that Natalie and Judith Raanan of Evanston ...

University of Chicago students, facility rally in support of Palestine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

CHICAGO -- Students and some facility members rallied at the University of Chicago campus on Friday to show their support for Palestine.The "Students For Justice in Palestine" group urged University of Chicago leadership to stop investing and partnering with Israel organizations. Specifically, calling for the university to stop supporting Israel by divesting from the university's investments in Israel. For more coverage of the Israel and Hamas Conflict, click here Hundreds of students and faculty gathered outside the university's administration building at Levi Hall in support of Palestinians who are dying and losing their homes amid the war between Israel and Hamas.Along with students, some faculty members also spoke about the issue with one faculty member challenging the school's decision to stay apolitical amid the crisis.The university responding to Friday's rally in the following statement:"The University has developed a consensus against taking social or political stances on...

AUS announces completed cellphone lot expansion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) announced Friday that its cellphone lot expansion was now open, and it was "wheely" excited about it. Austin-Johnson Airport? Mayor in talks to possibly rename AUS after former president The airport said it added more than 50 extra parking spaces in order to make the pick-up experience easier.Cellphone lot before expansion (AUS photo)Cellphone lot after expansion (AUS photo)Cellphone lot after expansion (AUS photo)“You asked, we listened: more parking, less honking and hassle!” AUS said in a social media post.