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UMass Memorial set to close maternity unit at HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital in Leominster

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

Community members are speaking out against UMass Memorial Health’s decision to close the inpatient maternity unit at HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital in Leominster and the city is filing a last-ditch lawsuit to stop it.The birthing center at the hospital is slated to close its doors this weekend.“Here we are, in an area with over 110,000 people, and this will be the only metropolitan or sub-metropolitan area in the country where this amount of people won’t be served by a maternity ward, it just doesn’t make any sense,” said Leominster Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella. “You’ve got so many people so passionate about this you taking a maternity award away … and didn’t even notify the city?” Mazzarella asked.In a statement, UMass Memorial Health said, “After fully adhering to the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) regulatory review process, the providers, nurses, and leadership teams at HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital are p...

MacCormack’s 196 yards leads BB&N past Milton Academy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

WATERTOWN — With only eight games on its regular-season schedule, every one of them is important for BB&N and on Friday night at Berylson Field, the Knights played that way.Led by 196 yards and two touchdowns from Bo MacCormack and another two rushing scores from quarterback Henry Machnik, the Knights pulled away late to best Milton Academy, 35-21.“Milton Academy is a great team year after year and I was proud of how my guys stepped up and played hard from the first snap to the last,” Knights coach Mike Willey said.The BB&N defense did a stellar job of shutting down Milton’s talented running back Matt Childs. The senior did have a rushing, receiving and kick return score but was unable to gain big chunks of yardage all game.The clubs traded scores in the first quarter as Machnik and Childs exchanged TD runs before MacCormack scored on a one-yard run and added a conversion rush to make it 14-7 late in the second quarter.The Mustangs charged back downfield on the legs and arm ...

BC High moves to 3-0 with 34-14 win at Woburn

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

WOBURN — Carter Carroll looks to be in midseason form with Catholic Conference play on the horizon.Carroll threw for 187 yards and three touchdowns as BC High remained unbeaten with a 34-14 win over Woburn on Friday night at Woburn High School.BC High is now 3-0 just two years removed from a 1-10 season and after only winning two regular season games a year ago.“The past two years, this junior class and senior class have tried to change the culture,” Carroll said. “I don’t think the one-win team two seasons ago is reflective of who we are now. It’s completely switched.”The Eagles junior quarterback threw for 135 of those yards and all three of his touchdowns during the opening half. Jacob Bierenbroodspot tallied three scores for BC High. Woburn running back Bryan Ferreira (14 carries, 91 yards, TD) will enter week four needing 50 yards to break the Tanners’ all-time rushing record.“We have the sign of a team that is starting to believe...

Miramar Air Show returns: What to know

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The largest military air show in the country returns to San Diego this weekend with immersive experiences, static displays and more.From Friday, Sept. 22 to Sunday, Sept. 24, the highly anticipated MCAS Miramar Air Show will, once again, wow crowds with daytime demonstrations.The theme for this year -- "People. Planes. Power." ‘Ready, hit it!’: What it’s like flying with the Blue Angels Aviation enthusiasts who attend this free event can expect to see some air action from the Marine Corps’ F-35B, Marine Air-Ground Task Force and the renowned Blue Angels.Before you head out, here's some things you should know before you go.TicketingGeneral admission to the Miramar Air Show is free to all. However, there are upgraded seating options for sale for each day of the event. Those looking to get the best view or added comfort can choose from these options:-- Devil Dog Chalet: For $263, this ticket will get you front-row seating in a military-themed chalet. Guests can enjoy the...

SANDAG board votes to remove 'mileage tax' from 2025 Regional Plan

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The SANDAG Board of Directors voted 15-4 Friday to approve a motion to remove a controversial "mileage tax" from any consideration for the 2025 Regional Plan.San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones led a protest before the board meeting. She was joined by other board members calling for the removal of the regional road user charge -- also known as the "mileage tax" -- from the plan.In December 2021, a regional plan was approved without the 4-cents-per-mile tax. The tax proposal was met with tremendous blowback from people across the county.Before Friday's vote, public comment was overwhelmingly against the tax."No to the road user charge, no matter what you call it, no matter what you name it, no matter how you try to fund it," one resident said."I say 'no' to any road charge at any level, and I do not believe in being tethered as an American, being controlled in my driving habits," another speaker said.SANDAG staff had estimated the mileage tax would raise around $34 billion th...

'Ready, hit it!': What it's like flying with the Blue Angels

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- “Ready, hit it!” is the cue to tightly tense every muscle in your lower body and core and violently exhale in short bursts to avoid passing out.It’s the technique U.S. Navy pilots master while flying the Blue Angel F-18 pilots, and the same technique taught to guest riders lucky enough to secure a backseat ride ahead of the Miramar Air Show.FOX 5 Weather Anchor Megan Healy was selected as the Blue Angel media rider alongside Rikki Betancourt, assistant principal of Coronado High School, who was selected as the “key influencer” rider. Miramar Air Show returns this weekend: What to know Betancourt was honored for her work as an educator for 13 years and mentor for the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being extremely nervous, Megan took a temperature check on how Nikki was feeling ahead of the wild ride.“I'm probably sitting comfortably at 8, maybe a 7,” Betancourt said. “I’ll probably feel better once I’m in the cockpit and then after...

'Bruno,' MCRD's bulldog mascot, promoted

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Marine Corps Recruit Depot's bulldog mascot, "Bruno," earned a well-deserved promotion Friday.The eleven-month-old English bulldog was pinned as Private First Class during a morning ceremony on the military base.As MCRD's mascot, Bruno stays busy participating in recruiting and community relations events such as family day, motivational runs and graduation ceremonies. Miramar Air Show returns this weekend: What to know Bruno was named after Maj. Gen. Bruno Hochmuth, the first General Officer killed during the Vietnam War. He was the commanding general of MCRD from 1963 to 1967.

Bassitt shines as Blue Jays grind out victory against Rays

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

Backed by a clutch performance from starter Chris Bassitt, the Toronto Blue Jays picked up a big late-season 6-2 win against their division rival Tampa Bay Rays.Bassitt battled a formidable Rays lineup and pitched 6 2/3 innings, scattering six hits with two earned runs and eight strikeouts. The Rays took an early 1-0 lead courtesy of former Blue Jays prospect Harold Ramirez, who hit an RBI single.Toronto got on the board in a big way in the top of the sixth inning when Bo Bichette knocked in a run with an RBI single. Alejandro Kirk walked with the bases loaded, and a Glasnow pitch plunked Matt Chapman to give the Jays a 3-1 lead before an RBI single from Daulton Varsho extended it.Rays third baseman Curtis Mead would cut the lead to 4-2 before reliever and closer Jordan Romano were able to limit any further damage. Varsho would add insurance with a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning, with George Springer adding an RBI of his own. Romano would then shut the door en route to...

Zelenskyy, accompanied by Trudeau, greets large crowd of supporters in Toronto

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

TORONTO — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is greeting a large crowd of supporters at a Canadian Armed Forces facility in Toronto. About 1,000 people have gathered in the Fort York Armoury to show support for Zelenskyy, who is visiting Canada for the first time since Russian troops began a full-scale assault on Ukraine in February 2022.Zelenskyy arrived at the venue accompanied by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland.The Ukrainian president thanked Canada and Canadians earlier today during an address to Parliament in Ottawa for standing with his country and his people in the war against Russia.Trudeau has announced that Canada is extending its financial support to Ukraine with a $650-million commitment to give the country more predictable and stable support over the next three years.Canada has already contributed more than $8 billion in support to Ukraine, including providing air defence systems, armoured vehicles a...

Critics of North Carolina school athletics governing body pass bill ordering more oversight

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators have ordered additional oversight of the chief nonprofit body that manages high school sports, finalizing legislation Friday that seeks to leave more rule-making in the hands of state education leaders. In separate House and Senate votes, the General Assembly passed a bill that for months had focused solely on changes to state insurance laws. But the final measure negotiated by Republicans and unveiled Thursday tacked on more than a dozen pages addressing high school athletics that largely came from a separate bill that passed the Senate earlier this year. A 2021 law that sought more rigorous government supervision of interscholastic sports among public schools led the State Board of Education to enter a memorandum of understanding with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, which began in 1913. That agreement laid out how the association, which serves more than 400 schools, would administer and enforce requirements for h...