Increase in demand causes some Massachusetts Christmas tree farms to sell out weeks before Christmas

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:46:07 GMT

Increase in demand causes some Massachusetts Christmas tree farms to sell out weeks before Christmas Weeks before Christmas, some farms in Massachusetts have been left in short supply, already closed for the season as of this week due to an increase in demand for fresh-cut Christmas trees. At White Gate Farm in West Newbury, owner Pat Kelly told 7NEWS all of the 18-acre farm’s 600 trees were gone in just the first two days of operation this season.Elsewhere, the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association on Tuesday said more than a dozen farms across the state had also already sold out of trees.“We can’t grow them as fast as people want them,” said Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association spokesperson Dave Morin. “The word is finally getting out that no tree is fresher than the one you watch being cut right in front of you.”Kelly said nothing will get someone in the Christmas spirit quite like cutting down their own tree. After more than three decades running the White Gate Christmas Tree Farm, though, like many others in the business, Kelly said she doesn’t know what the ...

Bruins end skid with 3-0 win over Sharks

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:46:07 GMT

Bruins end skid with 3-0 win over Sharks A win over the basement-dwelling San Jose Sharks would not have meant a whole lot to the Bruins a week ago. But after three straight ugly losses in which the B’s allowed 17 goals, any positive development was welcome.Though the B’s started a tad slowly, they nailed down a 3-0 win over the Sharks on Thursday at the Garden, with a couple of encouraging style points to boot. They got goals from both of their rejiggered top six lines, the pushed back emphatically when challenged physically and Jeremy Swayman, pulled in his last start through little fault of his own, posted his second shutout of the season.The B’s had a long way to go to get their game back to respectability, but it was a good first step.The two teams played a low-event, scoreless first period which, for the Bruins in the early going, didn’t look unlike some of the hockey they’d been playing on their three-game losing streak. In the offensive zone, they seemed a bit brain-locked, waiting a h...

It was far from perfect, but there was a lot to love in the Chicago Bears’ win against the Minnesota Vikings

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:46:07 GMT

It was far from perfect, but there was a lot to love in the Chicago Bears’ win against the Minnesota Vikings Cairo Santos’ game-winning field goal Monday night was a gimme, a 30-yard tap-in that finished the Chicago Bears’ 12-10 victory against the Minnesota Vikings. From the right hash, with a running clock, Santos set himself up. Snap, hold, kick. W.Nothing to it.“We all showed character in finishing tonight,” the kicker said afterward from a jubilant visitors locker room at U.S. Bank Stadium.That kick was the Bears’ finishing touch, the punctuation of a 66-yard final drive that had its biggest moment when Justin Fields drilled a clutch 36-yard completion to DJ Moore on third-and-10 to propel the offense into field-goal range.That was the biggest play of the night, both in significance and yards gained. Against zone coverage and facing a four-man rush, Fields kept his poise in the pocket. A huge hole opened in the middle of the field.Moore broke in. Fields threw his fastball.Boom.That play has been talked about most this week — and with good reason. Fi...

Las Vegas man accused of threats against Jewish US senator and her family is indicted

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:46:07 GMT

Las Vegas man accused of threats against Jewish US senator and her family is indicted LAS VEGAS (AP) — A federal grand jury has indicted a Las Vegas man arrested last month on suspicion of making antisemitic threats against U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen and her family, along with the family of another U.S. senator, according to court records.Rosen, a Democrat from Nevada, is Jewish and has maintained a vocal pro-Israel stance, including support for U.S. aid to Israel. Though the indictment doesn’t identify her specifically, Rosen’s office confirmed to The Associated Press the allegation that she and her family were targeted.John Miller, 43, is charged with one count of threatening a federal official and two counts of influencing, impeding or retaliating against a federal official by threatening a family member. Miller is also accused of threatening the family of another unnamed U.S. senator, according to court records.The public defender representing Miller did not return an email request for comment on Thursday. Miller allegedly made several threatening calls...

Live updates | More Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are released under truce

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:46:07 GMT

Live updates | More Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are released under truce Eight Israeli hostages were released from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip on Thursday as part of a temporary cease-fire deal that has lasted for seven days, the Israeli military said.Israel freed 30 Palestinian prisoners in the early hours of Friday under the truce deal, which has paused the deadliest fighting in decades between Israel and Palestinians.International pressure has mounted for the truce to be upheld as long as possible after weeks of Israeli bombardment and ground campaign following Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war.Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by Israel, and more than three-quarters of the population of 2.3 million have been uprooted, leading to a humanitarian crisis.Israel has vowed to resume the fighting — with the goal of dismantling Hamas — once the cease-fire ends.Currently:— Wartime Israel shows little tolerance for Palestinian dissent— Blinken urges Israel to comply with international law and spare civilians— A...

Donations help 3 migrants buy bus tickets to move in with family in Georgia

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:46:07 GMT

Donations help 3 migrants buy bus tickets to move in with family in Georgia CHICAGO — Three cousins from Venezuela said, thanks to donations, they were able to buy bus tickets to Georgia, where they will move in with their uncle and start living out their American dream.Carlos Betancourt, along with his cousins Jesus and Luis, are going to live with their uncle in Atlanta after receiving what they call a more than a small gift, but a blessing.After spending a week sleeping outside of the Chicago Police Department's 11th district police station and receiving anonymous donations with the help of a volunteer, Carlos and his cousins were able to purchase bus tickets to Atlanta.WGN reported on Tuesday that migrants staying outside of the 11th district police station were so cold, their drinking water froze, and ice covered the inside and outside of their tents. ORIGINAL: Migrants battle cold as city looks to clear Chicago police stations While Illinois lawmakers voice concerns over funding as the migrant crisis continues, the City of Chicago started a new prog...

16 Chicago restaurants visited by Guy Fieri on 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives'

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:46:07 GMT

16 Chicago restaurants visited by Guy Fieri on 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives' CHICAGO — Sure, Chicago may be known as the Windy City, but for now, we're calling it Flavortown. The Mayor of Flavortown himself, Guy Fieri, has featured dozens of Illinois restaurants on his hit Food Network show, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” That includes multiple spots in Chicago, which you can visit yourself (if you haven’t already).Here’s a look at Chicago locations frequented by Fieri at least once across the 45 seasons of his show.La ScarolaThe beloved Italian restaurant on West Grand Avenue is a favorite of Fieri. His go-to order? Veal Chop a la Gabe. La Scarola was featured in two episodes of Triple D, and is among the highest-rated restaurants in Chicago, according to Tripadvisor. Del SeoulFound on N. Clark Street, Del Seoul serves food inspired by "the Korean 'street foods' of California, Asia and Korea." It was the K-Town Chicken Wings that Fieri featured during a season 28 episode. The ‘center’ of Illinois is likely a spot you’ve never visited Saucy PorkaSaucy Po...

Shooter sentenced for ‘cold-blooded murder’ of pregnant St. Paul mother of 3 children

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:46:07 GMT

Shooter sentenced for ‘cold-blooded murder’ of pregnant St. Paul mother of 3 children Before Debbie Dehoyos spoke in court Thursday, she propped up two framed photos of her 21-year-old daughter, who was a mother of three young children and seven weeks pregnant when she was fatally shot in St. Paul.In March, Gabriella Dehoyos was riding in the back seat of her boyfriend’s car with her children in the city’s Summit-University neighborhood when a single shot fired by Paul Dwayne Harris struck her in the back of the head. Her fetus also later died at the hospital.Gabriella Dehoyos (Courtesy photo)“I just want everybody to take a last look at my daughter,” Dehoyos said in the Ramsey County courtroom, “because this is all we have now … pictures, videos and her children. We are never again going to hear laughter.”Harris, 24, pleaded guilty in September to second-degree murder while committing a drive-by shooting. He received a 38½-year prison sentence Thursday, which was the top-of-the-box term he could have received under state sentencing guidelines.Dehoyos asked Har...

Men’s basketball: Gophers bounce back in blowout over New Orleans

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:46:07 GMT

Men’s basketball: Gophers bounce back in blowout over New Orleans The second-most important number to the Gophers men’s basketball team on Thursday was their turnover total.After the all-important final score — a 97-64 win over New Orleans — Minnesota limited its turnovers to only two in the first half and 12 total at Williams Arena.That’s an improvement going into the Big Ten opener at Ohio State on Sunday.The Gophers committed a season-high 18 turnovers in the 76-58 loss to San Francisco last Sunday, with head coach Ben Johnson lamenting how he felt players were too “casual” with the ball.On the season, Minnesota was averaging 14.7 turnovers per game, tied for 303rd in the nation, while New Orleans was second in the nation in turnovers forced at 19.7.Minnesota (5-2) was a 12-point favorite and was 150 places higher than New Orleans (3-4) in the KenPom rankings (284-134).Freshman Cam Christie had a team-high 20 points to lead four players in double figures.New Orleans guard Jordan Johnson came into the game fourth in the nation at 23.3 points per...

Apartment building damaged by fire after car hits gas line

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:46:07 GMT

Apartment building damaged by fire after car hits gas line ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Crews in Albany responded to a fire at an apartment building near Third Avenue and South Swan Street Thursday afternoon. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Officials said the fire started after a car hit a gas line. First responders worked to stop the gas leak and put out the fire.It was unclear if there were any injuries.