Tourists are urged to avoid Maui as hotels prepare to take in evacuees and first responders; death toll rises to 93

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:10:24 GMT

Tourists are urged to avoid Maui as hotels prepare to take in evacuees and first responders; death toll rises to 93 LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Hawaii officials urged tourists to avoid traveling to Maui as many hotels prepared to house evacuees and first responders on the island that faces a long recovery from the wildfire that demolished a historic town and killed more than 90 people.About 46,000 residents and visitors have flown out of Kahului Airport in West Maui since the devastation in Lahaina became clear Wednesday, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.“In the weeks ahead, the collective resources and attention of the federal, state and county government, the West Maui community, and the travel industry must be focused on the recovery of residents who were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses,” the agency said in a statement late Saturday. Tourists are encouraged to visit Hawaii’s other islands.Gov. Josh Green said 500 hotels rooms will be made available for locals who have been displaced. An additional 500 hotel rooms will be set aside for workers from the Federa...

Dozens of motorcyclists take part in ride for kids with cancer in Worcester

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:10:24 GMT

Dozens of motorcyclists take part in ride for kids with cancer in Worcester The Vernon Hill American Legion Riders hosted the LEGO ride for kids with cancer in Worcester on Sunday.The annual ride benefits children at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester who are battling the disease. Organizers say more than a hundred people hopped on their bikes to take part in the event.Participants were asked to bring a new LEGO set for the kids or a $20 donation.Many of the riders say the ride is personal because cancer has touched their lives.

Nice start to the work week

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:10:24 GMT

Nice start to the work week After a few storms rolled through the area today, dry air is moving in to start the work week. Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the upper 70s to mid 80s Monday afternoon as high pressure slides in overhead. Although the weeks starts nice, another storm system is headed towards New England for Tuesday. The next storm system will be a rainmaker, with upwards of 1″ of rainfall likely for most.

NH woman who was kidnapped in Haiti thanks all who offered prayers, support

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:10:24 GMT

NH woman who was kidnapped in Haiti thanks all who offered prayers, support A New Hampshire woman who recently returned home after being kidnapped in Haiti with her daughter is sending a message of thanks to all those who offered support and prayers during her ordeal.In a statement issued by the nonprofit she works for, Alix Dorsainvil said, “I am completely humbled by the outpouring of support and prayer for myself and my sweet baby both during and following our time in captivity … Thank you all from the depths of my heart for your love.” Neither Dorsainvil or her daughter were harmed in the kidnapping.

Flash floods possible as wet weather system moves in by Tuesday, NWS says

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:10:24 GMT

Flash floods possible as wet weather system moves in by Tuesday, NWS says It’s once again a ‘bring your wellies to work week’ as more wet weather ahead could lead to further flash flooding on Tuesday.According to forecasters with the National Weather Service, a warm front will stall over the region overnight Monday carrying heavy rain and the potential for more flash floods during the middle of the work week and just days after the region was soaked by heavy downpours.“We’re looking at a possibility for some heavy rain, probably a washout on Tuesday, and then it looks like later on in the week we’re going to be looking at off and on showers basically through Friday and maybe clearing up through the weekend,” Kyle Pederson, a meteorologist with the NWS said told the Herald.Scattered storms over the region late Sunday are forecast to give way to near average temperatures and clouds Monday, with a high near 83 and a less than 10 mph breeze.Rain could begin by 2 a.m. as temps fall into the mid-60s Monday night, by which time Pederson said th...

Celebrating the Harvest Moon festival

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:10:24 GMT

Celebrating the Harvest Moon festival A crowd turned out for Sunday’s 53rd August Moon Festival in Chinatown, organized by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New England (CCBA).The day-long event included lion dancing in the streets, martial arts demonstrations and traditional Chinese music, singing and dancing.The festival can be traced back to 771 BCE, according to organizers, and celebrates the rice and wheat harvest during the August moon.People packed Chinatown near the gate during Sunday’s August Moon Festival. (Photo by Jim Michaud / Boston Herald)Lion dancers from Boston Yaun Chi Dance group celebrate the August Moon Festival on Sunday. (Photo by Jim Michaud / Boston Herald)A delighted audience watches Lion dancers in full costumes from Boston Yaun Chi Dance group during the August Moon Festival on Sunday. (Photo by Jim Michaud / Boston Herald)

Remains of WWII vet from Newton identified

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:10:24 GMT

Remains of WWII vet from Newton identified The remains of a World War II veteran killed when his bomber was shot down on a mission targeting oil fields near Romania have been identified.On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator bomber on which U.S. Army Air Force 1st Lt. Alfred Pezzella of Newton, Massachusetts, 27, was serving as the bombardier was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed during the largest bombing mission against oil fields and refineries north of Bucharest.Pezzella’s remains were not identified following the war. Remains that could not be identified were buried as in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.After the war, American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery were disinterred for identification. More than 80 were unable to be identified and those remains were buried at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.In 2017, the unidentified remains of those who participated in the bombing mission were sent for a...

State made $600 million less than forecast for fiscal 2023, revenue up to start 2024

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:10:24 GMT

State made $600 million less than forecast for fiscal 2023, revenue up to start 2024 The state brought in over half-a-billion dollars less in taxes than expected through the end of fiscal 2023 and almost $2 billion less than they collected the previous year, according to the Healey Administration.The Department of Revenue says that total tax revenue for the year came in at $39.16 billion, about $605 million below revenue benchmarks for the fiscal year.“The tax revenue performance against benchmark was driven by a decline in capital gains after unprecedented growth in Fiscal Year 2022,” the Executive Office for Administration and Finance said in announcing the year end totals.As a consequence of coming in under benchmark the state will cut in half a planned deposit into the stabilization fund, also known as the rainy day fund, but the shortfall “will not impact the budget balance,” according to the administration.After the Department’s April revenue report came in about $1.6 billion below benchmarks and a full $2.2 billion under the previous year’s April revenue, som...

Patriots rookie Malik Cunningham still primarily working at receiver?

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:10:24 GMT

Patriots rookie Malik Cunningham still primarily working at receiver? FOXBORO — Malik Cunningham took more competitive team reps at quarterback than wide receiver in Sunday afternoon’s practice, but it seems the team still views the rookie as more of a pass catcher.Cunningham, still listed on the roster as a quarterback, shined in Thursday night’s preseason opener, adding juice to an otherwise lifeless Patriots offense as he went 3-of-4 for 19 yards as a passer while adding five carries for 34 yards with a rushing touchdown at QB. Cunningham did line up at wide receiver in the game but wasn’t targeted.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Mac Jones, Jack Jones and 28 Patriots thoughts 28 days from the season opener New England Patriots | Six most impressive Patriots players from first wave of training camp New England Patriots | Patriots sign running back, offensive tackle, cut two New England Patriots | Patriots extra points: Rookie Keion White brings “pain̶...

BC quarterbacks ran the show in Eagles’ first scrimmage

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:10:24 GMT

BC quarterbacks ran the show in Eagles’ first scrimmage Boston College offensive coordinator Steve Shimko knows the football DNA makeup of the quarterbacks on the Eagles’ roster.Shimko deployed several quarterbacks with different body types, skill sets and levels of experience during the Eagles’ first training camp scrimmage on Sunday morning inside the Fish Field House. BC opens the season against Northern Illinois on Sept. 2 at Alumni Stadium.“What I’ve learned in this profession is that there is a not a single quarterback that is like another,” said Shimko. “They may have some similarities, but they all have their own unique things.“They all have their own strengths and they all have their weaknesses. We are trying to bring them up and make them good or possibly great. I’d say we try to put them in the best situations to highlight their strengths and call the plays that we feel they are best at.”The offense and defense matched up with a full complement of game officials and executed the gambit of situational football that featured red...