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Officials showcase upgrades at Gillette Stadium

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:30 GMT

Crews at Gillette Stadium recently showed off some of the facility’s big changes ahead of the upcoming Patriots season, showcasing amenities ranging from a new massive screen at the stadium to changes to Gillette’s popular lighthouse.Now 21-years-old, Gillette Stadium is nearing the end of a massive $250 million renovation project. Stadium officials opened the doors on Tuesday, holding a walkthrough of the nearly completed construction site. Officials provided details on upgrades that include a new and enhanced 22-story lighthouse, a 360-degree observation deck and a high-resolution scoreboard. Sixty feet tall and 360 feet wide, the scoreboard is the largest outdoor video board in the country. This year, Gillette will also have new premium space, added and improved concession locations and new restrooms. The main attraction, though, will be the video board, which is equivalent to half an acre in total surface area.“It is going to allow us to not just show one continuo...

Swampscott police looking to ID suspect behind attempted bank robbery

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:30 GMT

Police in Swampscott are asking for the public’s help as they work to identify a man who attempted to rob a bank on Paradise Road.The Swampscott Police Department said it was just after 8 a.m. on Monday, July 10, when the suspect entered a Salem 5 Bank and approached a teller, handing them a note that allegedly demanded money.According to officials, the teller proceeded to not give the suspect any cash, leading to him collecting the note and fleeing the scene through the Swampscott Mall parking lot, heading towards Essex Street.Police described the suspect as a white male who appeared to be in his mid- to late-50s and had blonde facial hair and green/blue eyes. Swampscott PD also shared several images of the suspect on Facebook that were taken from a surveillance camera.Anyone with information on the incident or the suspect is asked to contact the police department at (781) 595-1111.

Bruins sign North Billerica’s Marc McLaughlin to one-year, two-way deal

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:30 GMT

The Bruins signed another one of the young players that they hope will make a push for a roster spot in training camp come September.The B’s on Tuesday inked right-shot forward Marc McLaughlin to a one-year, two-way deal with an NHL cap hit of $775,000.McLaughlin, the North Billerica product who will turn 24 no July 26, made a splash when he was first signed as a free agent out of Boston College two years ago, scoring three goals in 11 games with the big club, including a goal in his NHL debut.He followed that up with a solid training camp last September and was a bit of a surprise demotion near the end of camp. He went down to the farm and had a decent first full pro season, notching 13-17-30 totals in 66 games. He played two games in Boston with no points.How much of a shot he has of making the team will depend greatly on whether or not Patrice Bergeron and/or David Krejci decide to retire. Right now the B’s have three centers under contract – Pavel Zacha, who is expec...

Chill out with an icy treat at this San Diego spot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:30 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- With temperatures warming up, San Diegans might be looking for ways to beat the heat, maybe with a sweet treat. Whether its ice cream or a slushy, there's plenty of delicious desserts people can enjoy to cool off. However, one spot in San Diego is offering some new creations that put a twist on a classic chilly confection, Japanese shave ice.KoLi Shave Ice Bar in Kearny Mesa brings the beloved Japanese summertime treat to Southern California with unique recipes layered in sweetness."Every recipe is made really authentic," said one of the workers at KoLi, Robert. "It's the closest you can get to taking a trip to Japan without paying for the plane ticket."Unlike Hawaiian or Italian shave ice, Japanese shave ice is known for being a fluffier concoction, given the use of machines with a very fine blade. Take a spin! Historic Balboa Park carousel rides again KoLi uses a swan shave ice maker from the city of Osaka that grates the ice -- also imported from Japan -- into an a...

Man killed, child injured in three-wheel motorcycle crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:30 GMT

LAKESIDE, Calif. — A man was killed and a two-year-old child was injured Monday after a crash in Lakeside, the California Highway Patrol said.According to CHP, the incident happened around 7:30 p.m. when a 63-year-old man was driving a three-wheel Honda motorcycle eastbound on Serena Road, west of Serena Lane.At the time of the crash, the man had a two-year-old boy seated on the motorcycle as a passenger.The driver lost control of the vehicle while approaching a right curve in the road, prompting them to travel off the paved portion of the road, CHP Public Information Officer Jared Grieshaber said in a news release. Stuck at a red light? You may need to let it know you’re there Both the driver and the child, who were not wearing helmets, were ejected from the vehicle during the crash, CHP said.The man suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, CHP said. The child was transported to Rady Children's Hospital via ground ambulance with minor injuries....

NATO leaders agree to spend at least two per cent of their countries’ GDP on defence

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:30 GMT

VILNIUS, Lithuania — The leaders of NATO member countries have pledged to boost spending on national defence, even though Canada and other countries have for years failed to meet the alliance’s previous target.A statement released by NATO leaders on Tuesday said members have agreed to make the existing target of two per cent of GDP the minimum spend each year, with one-fifth of that going toward major equipment and research and development.Leaders gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania, for an annual meeting also agreed to let Ukraine join the military alliance “when allies agree and conditions are met” and fast-track the process for its future membership.But they offered no timeline for that process, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said was “absurd.”Even as they appeared to close the door on the possibility of Ukraine joining the alliance during wartime, allies reaffirmed their support for the country and said existing members need to do more, an...

Bank regulator consulting on proposed mortgage guideline changes

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:30 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada’s banking regulator has launched consultations on proposed changes to mortgage guidelines to address risks related to borrowers with growing balances.The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions wants to address risks related to rising balances, which can happen in cases such as when fixed payments on variable rate mortgages aren’t enough to cover the interest portion. The proposal comes after a rapid rise in interest rates from 0.25 per cent early last year to 4.75 per cent as of last month that have put strain on borrowers and raised concerns over risks to the mortgage market.The regulator’s proposal would formalize that mortgages with a growing balance and a loan-to-value ratio above 65 per cent do not meet its expectations related to B-20 mortgage guidelines.For the mortgage insurer capital adequacy test, it would allow some mortgages to grow to 105 per cent of the original loan before a lender takes remedial action, up from the cu...

CP NewsAlert: Montreal police raid illegal magic mushroom store

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:30 GMT

Montreal police are carrying out an operation targeting a store selling illegal magic mushrooms.The first FunGuyz location in Quebec opened in Montreal today offering pills, dried fungi and chocolate bars all containing the psychedelic agent psilocybin, subject to sale and possession bans in Canada.Company spokesperson Edgras Goban says FunGuyz has already been the target of police raids in Ontario, where it has 10 franchises. Montreal police had warned earlier in the day that they could take action to enforce the laws controlling the sale of psilocybin.Goban had expected as many as five more locations to open in Quebec this summer.He described FunGuyz as a form of protest to challenge public policy surrounding hallucinogenic drugs.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 11, 2023.—This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.The Canadian Press

Report: Toronto in the running to host 2025 MLB All-Star Game

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:30 GMT

With this season’s MLB All-Star Game on tap Tuesday evening in Seattle, plans are already underway to find a venue for the 2025 mid-summer classic.The Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles are among the potential host teams up for consideration, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.Atlanta is in the mix for the 2025 All-Star Game, with Baltimore and Toronto expected to also be on the short list.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 11, 2023The Rogers Centre, then known as SkyDome, played host to the All-Star Game in 1991. The American League — featuring the Blue Jays’ Jimmy Key, Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter — defeated the National League 4-2.Montreal’s Olympic Stadium also hosted the event in 1982.Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers in Arlington, will host the event next year, while Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, has already been selected as the venue for the 2026 All-Star Game to coinc...

Energy stocks help lift S&P/TSX composite Tuesday, U.S. stocks also rise

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:30 GMT

TORONTO — Gains in energy stocks helped buoy Canada’s main stock index Tuesday, while U.S. markets also rose, as investors in both countries await big economic news Wednesday.Trading on Tuesday was the calm before the storm, with markets ticking upwards ahead of inflation data to be released in the U.S. and a central bank meeting in Canada, said Anish Chopra, managing director with Portfolio Management Corp.The S&P/TSX composite index was up 56.11 points at 19,878.56.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 317.02 points at 34,261.42. The S&P 500 index was up 29.73 points at 4,439.26,while the Nasdaq composite was up 75.22 points at 13,760.70.Wednesday will see the latest inflation print in the U.S., ahead of the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate decision later in July.“It’s another data point for them to think about before their meeting,” said Chopra.Economists expect inflation will have continued to moderate, but it’s not the only thing the central ban...