Quebec asks public to be prudent, avoid ERs if possible, amid continued overcrowding

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:41 GMT

Quebec asks public to be prudent, avoid ERs if possible, amid continued overcrowding MONTREAL — The Quebec government is asking the public to be prudent as they celebrate the New Year and take steps to avoid the transmission of respiratory viruses at a time when hospitals remain crowded. The Health Department says people should stay home if they have a fever and is encouraging people to wear a mask if they have symptoms of a respiratory virus.It issued a news release Saturday saying people with minor illness should consider accessing health-care through other services instead of going to the ER. It says the majority of patients who go to hospital ERs don’t require that level of care.According to health information website Index Santé, The province’s emergency rooms are currently at 121 per cent of capacity.Average occupancy rates in Quebec ERs have been above 100 per cent every day since Dec. 27, following a four-day period when average occupancy rates dropped below 100 per cent for the first time since Nov. 12.This report by The Canadian Press was first...

California law banning most firearms in public is taking effect as the legal fight over it continues

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:41 GMT

California law banning most firearms in public is taking effect as the legal fight over it continues LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California law that bans people from carrying firearms in most public places will take effect on New Year’s Day, even as a court case continues to challenge the law.A U.S. district judge issued a ruling Dec. 20 to block the law from taking effect, saying it violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and deprives people of their ability to defend themselves and their loved ones.But on Saturday, a federal appeals court put a temporary hold on the district judge’s ruling. The appeals court decision allows the law to go into effect as the legal fight continues. Attorneys are scheduled to file arguments to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in January and in February.The law, signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, prohibits people from carrying concealed guns in 26 places including public parks and playgrounds, churches, banks and zoos. The ban applies regardless of whether the person has a permit to carry a concealed weapon. One exception is f...

Woman, 19, dies in shooting at Mississauga nightclub

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:41 GMT

Woman, 19, dies in shooting at Mississauga nightclub A 19-year-old woman has died after a shooting at a Mississauga nightclub.Peel police say they responded to the shooting in the area of Dixie Road and Eglinton Avenue East just after 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning. The victim was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries where she was pronounced dead. Police spokesperson Const. Mandeep Khatra said the woman was standing on a sidewalk outside the nightclub when she was shot.There is no suspect description at this time.Police have said there is no threat to public safety. The investigation is ongoing.With files from The Canadian Press

Another mysterious 'boom' reported in Georgetown area

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:41 GMT

Another mysterious 'boom' reported in Georgetown area GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — After a mysterious "boom" shook parts of Central Texas on Tuesday morning, another "boom" has rattled areas around Georgetown. Several KXAN viewers heard the blast in east Georgetown around 11:40 p.m. Saturday. One viewer who lives in the Saddle Creek neighborhood said the sound vibrated the floors and windows in their home. PREVIOUS: Mysterious ‘boom’ shakes homes in parts of Central Texas, KXAN viewers say Georgetown Police Chief Cory Tchida said he heard the boom Saturday night, too. Around the same time, he said the Williamson County Sheriff's Office responded to a water main explosion—which could be connected to the "boom" heard. Tchida said GPD received multiple calls about the "boom," but the cause of the booms remains unclear. No earthquakes were reported in Central Texas in the last 24 hours, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. On Tuesday, many people reached out to KXAN about a loud "boom" heard around 11:30 a.m. in the Hutto, Georgetown ...

Bright and mild weather before colder air settles in for the week

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:41 GMT

Bright and mild weather before colder air settles in for the week AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Happy New Year!The forecast calls for a bright and unseasonably warm afternoon as most highs reach the low 70s. A dry southwest wind will warm temperatures quickly. Today's normal high is 62°. Tonight will be mostly clear before the intrusion of scattered clouds overnight. Also tonight there will be areas of smoke from fireworks. Sun and scattered clouds are expected tomorrow with highs that won't get out of the 50s.When the clock hits 12:00 a.m. tonightWhen the clock strikes midnight the sky should be mostly clear. Most temperatures will be in the upper 40s to low 50s. More mid to upper 50s will be the midnight readings in parts of our eastern counties.The first of two upper-level lows will head to the area leading to an excellent chance for rain and a few thunderstorms Tuesday with the probability of measurable precipitation up to 80%. Rain and thunderstorms will continue Tuesday night and should begin to end by sunrise Wednesday.Thursday will be mostly sunny.The...

Opinion: The surprise release of wolves near my ranching town has eroded rancher’s trust

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:41 GMT

Opinion: The surprise release of wolves near my ranching town has eroded rancher’s trust At 5:20 p.m. on Dec. 18, I received an email from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. I signed up for the mailing list for wolf reintroduction updates after Proposition 114 was passed because I knew this decision could determine the viability of my future in ranching.As I opened the email, I expected another fact sheet of advice on how to deal with an encounter; I was floored by what I read. Five wolves had been released in Radium, a small town that I was once assured was a doable day-long horse ride from my home.Disbelief is what first struck me, and now writing this, a pit in my stomach that comes from some combination of fear, stress, and anxiety. I hear my neighbors and friends demanding that someone, really anyone, hear their side of the story and try to understand how this action has devastated their futures as livestock producers.To be a rancher is to raise an animal or a product that you are proud to stand behind and say “This is the product of my family’s hard work.̶...

1 dead, 5 wounded after strip mall shooting in Hawthorne 

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:41 GMT

1 dead, 5 wounded after strip mall shooting in Hawthorne  A woman died and five other people were hospitalized after a shooting at a strip mall in Hawthorne early Sunday morning. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the shooting was first reported to the Hawthorne Police Department just before 12:30 a.m. in the 3100 block of Rosecrans Avenue.  Police shut down streets near Torrance mall due to large crowd disturbance First responders located multiple gunshot victims at the scene. They were taken to nearby hospitals in varying conditions, including one woman who was in grave condition. She later succumbed to her injuries, LASD said. Authorities on the scene of a deadly shooting in Hawthorne, CA on Dec. 31, 2023. (OnSceneTV)Authorities on the scene of a deadly shooting in Hawthorne, CA on Dec. 31, 2023. (OnSceneTV)Evidence markers were also seen littering the strip mall parking lot centered around a tow truck. (OnSceneTV)The blocked off strip mall parking lot. (KTLA)It is believed that additional vi...

49ers pregame: Win would clinch a top-two seed; Aaron Banks active

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:41 GMT

49ers pregame: Win would clinch a top-two seed; Aaron Banks active LANDOVER, Md. — Left guard Aaron Banks and No. 3 cornerback Ambry Thomas will suit up today as the 49ers look to close in on a top playoff seed.Banks (toe) and Thomas (hand, knee) were questionable because of injuries from Monday night’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.If the 49ers (11-4) beat the Commanders (4-11), then that secures at least the No. 2 seed, and it keeps the 49ers in position to secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed.A 49ers’ win could also yield the No. 1 seed as soon as this afternoon, but only if the Philadelphia Eagles (11-4) lose at home to the Arizona Cardinals (3-12). Both games kick off at 10 a.m. PT.If the 49ers lose a second straight game, that will create a slew of other scenarios, though it would not outright lose them a shot at the No. 1 seed to the Eagles. Next weekend, the 49ers finish the regular season at home against the Los Angeles Rams (8-7). Other NFC finales of interest next weekend: the Eagles at the New York Giants (5-10), the Detro...

One dead, two injured in head-on collision in eastern Contra Costa County

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:41 GMT

One dead, two injured in head-on collision in eastern Contra Costa County One person was killed and two others injured in a head-on collision in eastern Contra Costa County Saturday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.The crash occurred on Byron Highway near Clifton Court Road around 6:30 p.m. According to police, a white Chevrolet Silverado crossed into oncoming traffic while traveling northbound and crashed into a grey Kia sedan.The driver of the Kia sedan was pronounced dead at the scene. Both occupants of the Chevrolet were injured. The driver was airlifted to a hospital in Walnut Creek, and the passenger was taken to the same medical center by ambulance.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Ex-CHP officer who hit and killed pedestrian had unknown vision impairment Crashes and Disasters | Two youths killed in East Bay late night hit-and-run identified Crashes and Disasters | Woman dies in hospital a week after being hit by car outside San Jose shopping center Crashes and Disasters | ...

California new laws for 2024: speed cameras and cruising allowed

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:41 GMT

California new laws for 2024: speed cameras and cruising allowed (BCN) -- Two new laws taking effect Jan. 1 could affect safety on California's roads.Cameras at intersections across California already flag drivers who run red lights. Under one law, six cities can begin a pilot program to catch and fine speeding drivers with cameras, with hopes to curb the number of traffic deaths. Las Vegas Countdown to 2024: How to watch the New Year’s Eve extravaganza Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach, and San Francisco have the authority to launch speed camera pilot programs that will last five years or until Jan. 1, 2032 (whichever date is sooner). After a 60-day introductory period of issuing only warnings to violators, fines will start at $50 for drivers who go at least 11 mph over the speed limit -- though amounts can be reduced depending on income.Money from the fines will go toward covering the cost of the programs, as well as "traffic calming measures," such as raised crosswalks and speed tables that slow down drivers. Cities must ...