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Mass General Brigham bringing back mask mandate, as Boston-area COVID wastewater surges and infections rise

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:00 GMT

Yet another health care giant will have a mask mandate as the local COVID wastewater continues to surge and infections rise across the region.Mass General Brigham will be bringing back its staff mask mandate in the new year with local hospitals seeing higher respiratory infection levels amid the winter when cases typically go up.When more than 2.85% of patients at emergency departments or outpatient clinics have respiratory illness symptoms, Mass General Brigham’s employee mask mandate is triggered.“With the percentage of patients presenting at emergency rooms and outpatient facilities with respiratory illnesses exceeding 2.85 percent in the region, Mass General Brigham will begin requiring masking for healthcare staff interacting directly with patients on Jan. 2,” Mass General Brigham said in a statement.“Patients and visitors will be strongly encouraged to wear a facility-issued mask,” Mass General Brigham added.Health care personnel will need to use ...

Lawrence nightclub Energy Lounge ordered closed after fatal Christmas Eve shooting

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:00 GMT

The Lawrence Police Department has suspended a city nightclub’s license to operate days after a deadly shooting early Christmas Eve morning.Acting Chief William Castro on Wednesday suspended Energy Lounge’s license as the shooting that killed 29-year-old Edward Javier-Perez remains under investigation, with the suspects still at large.“The Acting Chief has determined that in the interest of public safety, the City must close the establishment and suspend the establishment’s license to operate until such time that the investigation is complete,” Det. Thomas M. Cuddy stated in a release Thursday.“This immediate action is being taken on an expedited basis due to the overriding public safety concern,” Cuddy added.Authorities on Tuesday identified Javier-Perez as the victim shot and killed at Energy Lounge early Sunday morning.Police responded to the nightclub at 459 Broadway around 12:20 a.m., finding Javier-Perez suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, according to the Essex District...

MSTCA Distance Classic: Meet records threatened

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:00 GMT

Acton-Boxboro’s Kyle Verner knew a time close to his personal best would pretty much translate to a victory and possibly a meet record in the mile at Thursday’s MSTCA Distance Classic.Verner’s calculations held up nicely on the Reggie Lewis Center track in a meet where the Colonials dominated the competition.The distance ace Verner pulled away from teammate Anthony Cronin and clinched the win with a time of 4 minutes, 31.57 seconds. That time was just under the 4:32.30 record set by Shane Grant of Walpole in 2018. Acton-Boxboro snagged the top-two places as Cronin also dipped under the old mark with his 4:32.06.“I knew the meet record was probably in reach, but I was going for a time close to my personal best,” said Verner, who has a best time of 4:29.55. “We were just trying to go out at 2:15 (for the first 800) and see what happens.”Acton-Boxboro garnered another victory in an extremely entertaining 2-mile that featured a duel up front bet...

Marco Wilson excited about Patriots’ history developing cornerbacks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:00 GMT

FOXBORO — Bill Belichick’s reputation working with Patriots cornerbacks precedes him.Recently claimed cornerback Marco Wilson was excited to join the Patriots this week because of the team’s history at the position. The Patriots have earned players like Malcolm Butler, J.C. Jackson and Logan Ryan a lot of money in free agency by building them up through their defensive system.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots Christian Barmore reluctantly acknowledges he just had his best game New England Patriots | Patriots OC Bill O’Brien once advised Alabama QB Jalen Milroe to change positions New England Patriots | Patriots-Bills injury report: Ezekiel Elliott out with new ailment Thursday New England Patriots | Patriots offense gets mixed news at Thursday practice New England Patriots | Callahan: The overlooked, underrated Patriot tying Bill Belichick’s secondary together ...

Powerball climbs to estimated $760 million ahead of Saturday drawing

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:00 GMT

Feeling lucky?The Powerball jackpot for the Saturday drawing rose to an estimated $760 million with a cash option prize of an estimated $382.5 million, lottery officials said Thursday. If someone wins the jackpot, it would be the sixth largest in Powerball history.The Powerball was last hit on Oct. 11 and Saturday’s drawing will be the 34th since a $1.7 billion jackpot was won on a ticket sold in California, according to officials at the Massachusetts Lottery.Two $50,000 prizes were won Wednesday on Quic Pic tickets sold at Fast Freddie’s in Beverly and Wellesley Variety in Wellesley.To win the full estimated Powerball prize, all five white numbers must match plus the Powerball. The Wednesday Powerball drawing, which was not hit, was an estimated $685 million.Powerball tickets are $2 each and can be played in 45 states, including Massachusetts, Washington, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players can purchase tickets up until 9:50 p.m. Saturday at Massachusetts Lottery reta...

New traffic laws bringing changes for California drivers in 2024

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO (KSWB) — For California legislators, the start of the new year means a slew of new bills signed into law will go into effect, including more than a dozen new traffic safety laws impacting the state's some 27 million drivers.Some of the laws signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this year change how officers can interact with motorists in traffic stops, while others look to implement new safety programs as a way of addressing the problem of pedestrian deaths. Drivers’ warning: CHP to implement Maximum Enforcement Period for new year Here are a few of the new laws set to go into effect in 2024 that motorists should know about:Assembly Bill 256 - Vehicles: RegistrationUnder this new law, a violation relating to the registration sticker displayed on a vehicle's rear license plate can no longer be the sole basis for an officer to pull over a driver for enforcement action before the second month after the expiration of a vehicle's registration.AB 256, authored by Assemblymember Diane Di...

Another death reported since 2021 recall of home bed assist handles: Health Canada

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:00 GMT

OTTAWA — Health Canada is reminding Canadians about a recall of home bed assist handles after learning of an additional death. Four models of bed handles distributed by Drive Medical were first recalled two years ago after two reported deaths — one in Canada and one in the U.S.  Health Canada says as of Dec. 19, the company has received a report of a second death in this country.   The metal handles are affixed alongside the mattress to help people get in and out of their regular bed at home. The products are not designed for hospital beds. Health Canada says more than 68,000 of the affected handles were sold between 2016 and 2021 in Canada. It says consumers should stop using them and contact Drive Medical Canada to get a refund. The recalled home bed assist model numbers are 15064, 15062, RTL15073 and RTL15063-ADJ.No information has been provided about what caused any of the deaths, but the recall notice says that retention straps were not properly secured in the initial cases in ...

Uptick in Kia, Hyundai vehicle thefts prompt warning from Evanston police

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:00 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — Evanston police say about 20 vehicles, mostly Kias and Hyundais, have been targeted by thieves since the holiday weekend. The rash of car thefts has unnerved vehicle owners like Bridget Forbes, who lives on Chicago's South Side but frequents Evanston."We're all at risk driving a Kia," she told WGN News on Thursday. "It makes me want to actually get rid of it."  Chicago files lawsuit against Kia, Hyundai over rise in car thefts While Forbes says she would like to drive a less-targeted vehicle, she feels her options are limited with an extended family. "The main reason why we have this Kia is because we have five kids, so there's seven of us," Forbes said. "So there's only so many vehicles that will fit us and leave room for at least one friend." Commander Ryan Glew with the Evanston Police Department said he doesn't believe there's a part of town that has been spared. "This is definitely much more prolific than what we've experienced since ...

10 tips to help your health in the new year from the AMA

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:00 GMT

The American Medical Association has some simple steps you can take to boost overall wellness in the new year.At the top of the list -- no surprise -- exercise! Adults should get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity.Coming in second is to consume less sugar, particularly in the form of sweetened beverages and fruit juices.Number three: Make sure all family members are up-to-date on their vaccines during respiratory virus season.At four — get your routine screenings for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer on the calendar -- especially if you missed any during the pandemic.More from the AMA tips here.Tip number five is to know your numbers! Track your blood pressure and your risk for type 2 diabetes. Both are easy to determine with simple screening tools.Number six is when it comes to alcohol, moderation is key. U.S. dietary guidelines for Americans of legal age allow up to one drink per day for women and t...

White Sox sign reliever Tim Hill to 1-year, $1.8 million contract

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:00 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox agreed to a $1.8 million, one-year contract with left-handed reliever Tim Hill, and designated right-hander Declan Cronin for assignment on Thursday.The 33-year-old Hill was 1-4 with a 5.48 ERA in 48 appearances for San Diego last year. He missed most of the second half of the season because of a sprained left finger and had surgery on Sept. 20. Hill is 16-14 with a 4.16 ERA over six seasons with Kansas City (2018-19) and the Padres (2020-23).Cronin spent most of last season with Triple-A Charlotte. He made nine appearances for the White Sox and gave up 11 earned runs in 11 innings. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Chicago finished fourth in the AL Central at 61-101.