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Toronto area transit systems need to improve services, reliability: report cards

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:46 GMT

Toronto had the least reliable transit service in 2022 compared to other municipalities in the region, according to newly released transit report cards from the Toronto Region Board of Trade.The average score was based on frequent and basic services, reliability, transit priority, 24-hour service, integration with neighbouring transit systems and service improvement.While Toronto and Mississauga both received a composite score of about 69 per cent — or a B letter grade — Toronto had the lowest score for transit reliability with only 58 per cent of trips being on time. Other municipalities scored over 70 per cent on reliability.Toronto’s lower score was attributed to congestion issues and frequent diversions due to construction. The report notes most recent Toronto transit service cuts are not accounted for and “would negatively affect grading.”The report cards said more funding and integration is needed to keep up with population growth and operating costs of...

More travelers get cozy with glamping, even amid high costs

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:46 GMT

Camping can be one of the cheapest ways to travel. Yet a relatively new style of camping is proliferating — by some metrics — and it’s glamping.Glamping is a fusion of luxury and nature, where tents are filled with plush pillows, and some even have private bathrooms with heated, running water. Campgrounds typically are outfitted with fast Wi-Fi, and such camping activities as pitching a tent and starting a fire are already done for you. But the blend of outdoor glamor with hotel comfort commands prices more expensive than those of high-end hotels. It’s also a sharp contrast to what traditional campers spend.U.S. national park visitors in 2021 spent, on average, $351 daily per group on traditional lodging outside the parks, such as hotels or bed-and-breakfast establishments. Parties who camped spent just $149, according to a Department of the Interior 2021 visitor spending report. That’s a 58% discount for visitors willing to exchange concrete for canvas. But canvas doesn’t always co...

Suicide bomber attacks security post in Pakistan, killing 2 soldiers and a 10-year-old boy

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:46 GMT

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — A suicide bomber targeted a security checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing at least two soldiers and a 10-year-old boy and wounding 14 other civilians, officials said.The bombing occurred in Miran Shah, a town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan and is a former stronghold of the militant Pakistani Taliban group, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.At least 14 civilians and some soldiers were wounded in the attack, according to Rashid Khan, a police official. He said security forces were searching the area for the bomber’s handlers. “At least two soldiers and a 10-year-old boy, Mohammad Qasim, have been martyred” in the attack, he said.There was no immediate comment from the military. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion is likely to fall on the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Though a separate group, it remains a close ally of the Afghan Taliban, which took over Afgha...

4 shot in Englewood

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:46 GMT

CHICAGO — Four people were shot early Wednesday in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood.According to Chicago fire officials, the four people were shot near 56th Street and Ada Street at what appears to be a gathering.Two were taken to the hospital in critical condition. The condition of the other two people are not yet known.Ada Street is currently closed from 57th Street to Garfield. Westbound 56th Street is closed between Throop and Loomis.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesPolice are investigating.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Father charged in murder of wife, daughter in Little Village fatal shooting

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:46 GMT

CHICAGO — A man has been charged in the fatal shooting his wife and teen daughter.67-year-old Jose Alvarez faces multiple charges including two counts of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder.The shooting happened around 12:15 a.m. Monday in the 2600 block of South Millard in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. Police said officers responded to shots fired at a residence and found three people struck by gunfire. Previous Coverage: Man fatally shoots wife, teen daughter in Little Village; charges pending According to police, 15-year-old girl Daniela Alvarez was shot in the face and transported to Mount Sinai Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police said 48-year-old Karina Gonzalez was shot multiple times in the torso and pronounced on the scene. TAlvarez's 18-year-old son was shot in the ankle and transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in fair condition.Alvarez is due in court Wednesday.

Chicago police search for multiple suspects after armed robbery at Red Line station

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:46 GMT

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying the suspects reportedly responsible for a strong arm robbery at the CTA Red Line Grand Street Station on Tuesday.According to the Chicago Police Department, the suspects approached a victim at the Red Line Grand Street Station on Tuesday, grabbing the victim from behind while they were walking on the train station platform. Man hospitalized after Winnetka water rescue The suspects pulled the victim into a stairwell and battered the victim before taking his wallet and fleeing the scene.Chicago police have described the individuals as African American men between 20 and 40-years-old.Anyone with information regarding this incident or the suspect's identity are asked to contact the Chicago Police Department at 312-745-4706.

World roasts on unofficial hottest day recorded

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:46 GMT

The entire planet sweltered to the unofficial hottest day in human recordkeeping July 3, according to University of Maine scientists at the Climate Reanalyzer project.High-temperature records were surpassed July 3 and 4 in Quebec and northwestern Canada and Peru. Cities across the U.S. from Medford, Oregon to Tampa, Florida have been hovering at all-time highs, said Zack Taylor, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Beijing reported nine straight days last week when the temperature exceeded 35 C (95 F).This global record is preliminary, pending approval from gold-standard climate measurement entities like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. But it is an indication that climate change is reaching into uncharted territory. It legitimately captures global-scale heating and NOAA will take these figures into consideration when it does its official record calculations, said Deke Arndt, director of the National Center for Environmental Information, a division of ...

Round Rock roofer wins national contest

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:46 GMT

ROUND ROCK (KXAN) — A Round Rock woman has been named the Female Roofing Professional of the Year.Michelle Ly took the top honor in this annual campaign put on by Beacon, highlighting women in the roofing industry across the U.S. and Canada.More than 3,000 women were nominated for the competition.Ly, who serves as operations manager at Hall Roofing and Construction in Round Rock, was also the first woman from Texas to win this award.Working within an industry historically dominated by men, Ly has been climbing up the roofing business for many years.“This has always been a tough industry for women,” she said. “I’ve found the biggest challenge is getting people's trust by showing my knowledge in this field.”With the win, Ly will receive a $10,000 grand prize and a trip to the International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas. H-E-B celebrates grand opening of Nutty Brown store “I never thought I'd make it to the top five,” she said. “So actually, winning the whole thing was very humbling.”Fro...

Group covers confederate monument outside Williamson County courthouse

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:46 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- While the Fourth of July commemorates the Declaration of Independence within the United States, two groups focused on a different piece of U.S. history Tuesday.Outside the Williamson County Courthouse in Georgetown stands a confederate monument. Members of the Williamson County Patriots wrapped the monument with a black fabric Tuesday, before then wrapping it with an American flag. The group was taking signatures down to showcase to Williamson County Commissioners there is public support for the monument's removal."The American flag that we put on the fabric, that's our claim, that we are putting up an American flag on the Fourth of July," said Bryan Register with the Williamson County Patriots. "And it's really weird for people to get mad about that."After hearing about the display, the Williamson County Grays Camp Sons of Confederate Veterans showed up. "We don't normally come out on the Fourth of July, but I was at the Fourth of July parade in Belton w...

H-E-B celebrates grand opening of Nutty Brown store

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- H-E-B commemorated the grand opening of its Nutty Brown location in southwest Austin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning.Located at 12021 U.S. Hwy. 290 West in Austin, the new 103,000-square-foot grocery store is at the former site of the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre. To help commemorate the history of the location, the H-E-B store will showcase legacy venue memorabilia, including signed guitars from Texas musicians who played the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre and a vintage photography-based tribute wall mural.The location is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and features the following amenities:H-E-B curbside, delivery servicesIn-store meat market, seafood selectionsIn-store prepared sushi, tortillas and bakery goodsBeer and wine selectionLive cooking demonstrations, food samplings dailyDrive-thru pharmacyFuel station