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AP PHOTOS: Estonia, one of the first countries to introduce Christmas trees, celebrates the holiday

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:16:51 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Christmas trees started appearing in Central Europe and the Baltic States, including Estonia, as early as the Middle Ages and have now become traditional across much of the world.Dec. 22 is the shortest day of the year and in Estonia, as in many parts of the world, trees covered with lights brighten up homes and town squares during the Winter Solstice and Christmas festivities afterward.In order to grow a 2.5-meter (8-foot) Christmas tree, Arvo Palumäe, co-owner of a Christmas tree farm he started 14 years ago, waits 8 years before carefully selecting it, shaping it during the summer months and cutting it for delivery. But while some Estonians buy trees directly from him, they are also able to cut their own.The State Forest Management Centre provides Estonians with a map of forests showing locations of trees they can cut down themselves. They advise people to avoid trees near power lines and encourage Estonians to plant spruces in the forests to make sure the...

Isaiah Stevens breaks career scoring record for No. 16 Colorado State in win over Loyola Marymount

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:16:51 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Isaiah Stevens scored 19 points to break the career scoring record for No. 16 Colorado State, which remained perfect away from home with a 76-67 victory over Loyola Marymount on Friday night.Nique Clifford led Colorado State with 23 points, going 9 of 10 from the floor. Patrick Cartier added 14 points for the Rams (11-1), who won their second consecutive game since their only loss — a home defeat against Saint Mary’s on Dec. 9 — and improved to 5-0 in away and neutral-site games.Stevens broke the record previously held by Pat Durham (1985-89) and now has 1,986 points in five seasons with the Rams. He also went 8 of 13 from the floor to break Durham’s school record for field goals.With seven assists, Stevens also surpassed 700. As a team, Colorado State had 21 assists on 30 baskets.Will Johnston scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half for Loyola Marymount (7-6), which dropped to 1-1 to begin a stretch of six consecutive home games.Keli Leaupepe scored 13 poin...

Last-minute shoppers take to stores ahead of holidays

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:16:51 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The parking lot in Mission Valley was jammed with last-minute shoppers trying to slip into the Best Buy to find the perfect gift for the right price, then get out in a reasonable amount of time. "It’s stressful in the parking lot, I’ll just say that,” said Cullen Ridgeway, who was shopping with his mom. Reatha, Cullen’s mom, says this is just another day to practice patience. “Keep it in perspective, you know it’s a moment in time… everyone is out to do the same thing. Pick up their gifts and get moving, we just need to show some courtesy,” said Reatha Ridgeway, visiting from Indiana. Hundreds of rideshare drivers protest near San Diego International Airport The lines inside were long, but not impossible. Most people were searching for something to jump out at them, but with no must-have item of the season, shopping seemed a little more difficult than previous years. “I do get a lot of anxiety from shopping, but if I have to come in shopping, I have to come in,” said...

Three San Diego bars make Yelp's top 25 mocktail spots in US

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:16:51 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Mocktails, or non-alcoholic mixed drinks, have gained popularity over the years, according to Yelp.The company that publishes crowd-sourced reviews about businesses recently compiled a list of the top 25 places to get a mocktail in the U.S. Three San Diego spots found themselves on the list, including Raised by Wolves in University City (No. 5), Kindred in South Park (No. 9) and Mothership in South Park (No. 14). In-N-Out adds new drink options to its menus Raised by Wolves' zero proof drink menu:Hibiscus Phosphate: hibiscus gomme, acid phosphate, club sodaPirate’s Anthem: lime, pineapple, orange, black walnut, allspiceKindred's zero proof drink menu:Miracle Cure: pineapple, lime, coconut, passionfruit, thai basil, lemongrass, spirulinaZombie Prescription: pineapple turmeric shrub, grapefruit, lemon, cinnamon, ginger, agaveKiss of Steel: cold brew coffee, oat milk, cinnamon, coconut, orange twistVerdita: pineapple, lime, serrano chili, mint, cilantroBook of Days: matc...

Key takeaways from AP’s look at the emerging wave of sports construction in the US

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:16:51 GMT

A new round of stadium construction is underway for professional sports teams across the U.S., and taxpayers will be helping to pay the multi-billion-dollar tab. The wave of construction has seen teams chasing both repairs and luxurious additions. Some teams have sought new public funding for the projects — with mixed support — even while debt from the last round of renovations a couple decades ago is still being paid off.This year alone, The Associated Press tallied about a dozen stadium projects that were unveiled or already underway for Major League Baseball and National Football League franchises. That doesn’t include additional projects for professional basketball, hockey and soccer teams.Here’s a look at the emerging cycle of stadium projects and some of the motivations behind them. A NEW PROJECT PER MONTHAs 2023 began, work already was underway on multi-year stadium renovations for the New Orleans Saints football team and Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. Then more...

Plans abounding for new sports stadiums across the US, carrying hefty public costs

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:16:51 GMT

Standing on a portable stage erected at home plate of the Milwaukee Brewers ballpark, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers recently praised the professional baseball team as an “essential part” of the state’s “culture and identity” and “economic success.”With fanfare, Evers then signed off on $500 million in public aid for the stadium’s renovation, adding to a remarkable run of such blockbuster deals. This year alone, about a dozen Major League Baseball and National Football League franchises took steps toward new or improved stadiums. A new wave of sports facility construction is underway. One driven, in part, by a race to keep up with rivals and one that could collectively cost taxpayers billions of dollars despite skepticism from economists that stadiums boost local economies.Though the Brewers primarily cited a need for repairs, many of the other new projects are much more than that. In some cases, sports teams are even seeking a new jolt of public funding for state-of-the-art ...

Acquittals in Manuel Ellis’ death puts Washington state’s police accountability law in the spotlight

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:16:51 GMT

A Washington state law aimed at improving police accountability is in the spotlight after three Tacoma officers were acquitted in the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, a Black man who was shocked, beaten and restrained face-down on a sidewalk as he pleaded for breath. The measure approved by voters in 2018 was designed to make it easier to prosecute police accused of wrongfully using deadly force. Initiative 940, referred to as I-940, removed a requirement that prosecutors prove an officer acted with actual malice in order to bring a case — a requirement no other state had — and established that an independent investigation should be conducted after use of force results in death or great bodily harm, among other things.The nearly three-month trial of the three police officers — Matthew Collins, 40; Christopher Burbank, 38; and Timothy Rankine, 34 — was the first to be held under the 5-year-old law. The trial over Ellis’ death in Tacoma, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of Seattl...

Oversized Santa's takeover Northwest Hills neighborhood

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:16:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Residents living on Gnarl Drive in Northwest Hills have dubbed their street "Santa Clause Lane" and it's for good reason.Anyone driving down the road will be greeted with multiple oversize inflatable Santas as well as other fun Christmas decorations. Kayla Christie said a neighbor living down the street from her came up with the idea, and from there, the rest was history. Christie said she bought multiple inflatable Santas and handed them out to some of the neighbors as well. "We really dub it "Santa Claus Lane" now," Christie said. "Next year we will probably have a sign up that says "Santa Claus Lane." More and more of the neighbors, as they started coming up, really enjoyed seeing it and wanted to participate. It is just really fun and delightful."Ainsley Christie said she hopes to see this tradition continue for years to come. "I think it is really fun," Ainsley said. "I think it is funny that we are all kind of matching. Most of the time no one really drives do...

3.4 magnitude earthquake rattles Orange County

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:16:51 GMT

Did you feel it? A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Orange County area on Friday night. The quake was reported at around 9:52 p.m. according to the United States Geological Survey.The epicenter of the quake was located around 1.8 miles southeast of Huntington Beach in a populated part of town.The temblor was measured at a depth of approximately 7.7 miles, according to the USGS.A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Orange County area on Dec. 22, 2023.  A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Huntington Beach area on Dec. 22, 2023. (USGS)A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Huntington Beach area on Dec. 22, 2023. (USGS)A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Huntington Beach area on Dec. 22, 2023. (USGS)No immediate reports of injuries or structural damage have been reported so far.Hundreds of earthquakes are recorded in California each year. Most are extremely minor, however, dozens measure over 3.0 magnitude. According to the California Department of Conservation, ...

Family searches for missing L.A. County boy

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:16:51 GMT

Authorities are searching for a missing boy who was last seen in Lancaster earlier this week.The boy was identified as Adrianne Maurice Sorto, 14, by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.He was last seen on Dec. 18 in Lancaster at around 3 p.m.Loved ones said Sorto has a history of running away and is a child with High-Functioning Autism. He has a possible destination in the area near 23rd or 25th Street in L.A., authorities said.Sorto is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall and around 120 pounds. He has brown eyes and long black hair tied up in a bun. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. Adrianne Maurice Sorto, 14, in a photo from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.His loved ones have not heard from him since and are concerned for his well-being. They’re hoping the public may have spotted him.Anyone who may have seen Sorto is asked to call the LASD’s Lancaster Station at 661-948-8466. Anonymous can be submitted to "Crime Stoppers" at 800-222-8477 or...