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National Christmas Tree shortage impacts Selkirk farm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:28 GMT

SELKIRK, N.Y. (NEWS10) — With the Rockefeller Tree lit up last night, you may be thinking about hanging lights on a real tree of your own. But that process may be complicated as businesses like Majestic Tree Farm in Selkirk are experiencing a Christmas tree shortage. East Capitol Park Christmas Tree arrives in Albany According to ABC News, experts say several factors such as drought and the Canadian wildfires are contributing to the shortage. Nanette Mays, co-owner of Majestic Tree Farm, also thinks it’s a generational issue among growers. “The growers are aging out, and the younger generation don't really have an interest in continuing them even if your family farms…” Mayes told NEWS10's Zion Decoteau. Why aren’t young people interested? The farm owner theorizes that the physically taxing nature of tree growing is turning them off. “Growing trees is not just planting them in the ground. They have to be sheared… the rows have to be groomed… they have to check for insects and...

LIVE: St. Charles County police update on trafficking case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:28 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - Three men face criminal charges in St. Charles County after they allegedly held a victim captive for several months, repeatedly beat him, and forced him into labor, according to court documents obtained Thursday by FOX 2. Prosecutors have charged Venkatesh R. Sattaru, Sravanvarma Penumetcha and Nikhil V. Penmatsa in connection with the investigation. Court documents state that Sattaru is a cousin of the victim, described as a 20-year-old Indian national. Tow truck operator killed in Illinois served as volunteer firefighter Per court documents, authorities learned of these allegations during a recent wellness check in Defiance, Missouri. Investigators say the victim came out the front door pleading for help and had suffered multiple scars and bruises. Sattaru, Penumetcha and Penmatsa were arrested moments later. The three suspects reportedly forced the victim to engage in multiple hours of unpaid work and complete various chores. Incidents were linked to ...

Above-normal temperatures likely through mid-December

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- The National Weather Service says that the St. Louis area may see above-normal temperatures into mid-December. The forecast for December 6–12 features a 50–60 percent chance of above-normal temperatures.St. Louis 7-Day ForecastMeteorologist Chris Higgins says that we should expect rain to develop in the area this afternoon south of I-70. Much more widespread and substantial rainfall is likely to arrive this evening and continue through the night, tapering off to drizzle during the morning rush hour on Friday. Widespread, soaking, and beneficial rain of one inch or more is expected. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here The weekend will bring more clouds than sunshine. There is a small chance for a few showers late Saturday night into Sunday morning, but most of the weekend will be dry. Temperatures will warm into the 50s both days.After this weekend, there is very little chance for rain going through next week. Temperatures will trend from near-normal to...

REPORT: Yadier Molina will not join 2024 Cardinals coaching staff, but plans to serve as special advisor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Yadier Molina, one of the most accomplished catchers in St. Louis Cardinals history, will not join the team's coaching staff in 2024 despite some apparent mutual interest. Molina will not take on a Cardinals coaching role next year, but he plans to serve as a special advisor for the franchise this upcoming season, according to a report from ESPN's international baseball insider Enrique Rojas. ‘I wanted to be a Cardinal’ – Sonny Gray joins retooled St. Louis rotation FOX 2 Sports Director Martin Kilcoyne reported last month that Molina and the Cardinals had previously discussed coaching opportunities, and there was some degree of mutual interest. For the upcoming season, Molina will take on a relatively scaled-back supervisor role that involves scheduled visits to spring training and the regular season.Rojas further adds that Molina's long-term plan is to be a Major League manager and he is hopeful the upcoming experience will prepare him for that. Close ...

Development planned for abandoned Kingshighway houses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The infamous set of six houses on Kingshighway is now slated for new development under the management of NorthPoint Development.According to Michael Browning, the 9th Ward Alderman, NorthPoint Development has acquired ownership of six houses, numbered 1070 through 1094, on South Kingshighway. This achievement was made possible with the assistance of local neighbors Derrick and Toni Zimmerman, who took it upon themselves to research the properties. The ‘center’ of Missouri isn’t too far from Jefferson City These abandoned houses have long been an eyesore for many in the community. Browning mentioned that the Zimmermans were seeking a way to enhance their city and neighborhood.Victor Alston and Sid Chakraverty, the brothers behind the developer Lux Living, were the original owners of the buildings. The original plan was to build a 155-unit apartment complex, as reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. They were previously owned by of Drury Hotels for over a decade.“Ther...

DPS parent lawsuit demands right to ask teachers to display “straight pride” flags in Denver schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:28 GMT

A Denver Public Schools parent has sued the district over its policy allowing teachers to display Progress Pride flags in their classrooms, saying LGBTQ+ flags “discriminate” against his straight, cisgender, white children.Nathan Feldman, whose children attend Slavens School in southeast Denver’s Wellshire neighborhood, on Nov. 10 filed the federal suit in the U.S. District of Colorado that states DPS’ policy supporting LGBTQ+ students is “not inclusive of all students” or of his children, who are “heterosexual, Caucasian, and/or binary/’cisgender.'” The lawsuit comes after his unsuccessful attempts to have what he described as a “straight pride” flag displayed in his children’s classrooms.The lawsuit alleges Feldman and his children have “suffered irreparable harm directly” because of the district’s policy, and it seeks an injunction stopping the district from enforcing the policy that prohibi...

10 holiday-themed Denver shows for under $50 per ticket

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:28 GMT

Trying to save a dollar or two while enjoying the holidays? It’s a struggle, especially if you want to catch a seasonal show with family or friends.Some of the metro area’s biggest productions are easily topping $100 for the best seats — we’re looking at you, Colorado Ballet (“The Nutcracker”) and Denver Center for the Performing Arts (“A Christmas Carol”) — but you don’t have to break the bank to feel jolly.Here are 10 affordable shows — which in this case means under $50 per ticket — that are worth every cent you spend. Prices do not include online fees. All shows are family-friendly unless otherwise noted. See more holiday-fun ideas at denverpost.com/things-to-do.“Santa’s Big Red Sack”Feeling more naughty than nice this year? We can all relate to dark irreverence during the holidays. Fortunately, another local tradition is providing the snarky humor that our souls crave — in this case,...

California to spend $300 million to clear homeless encampments near highways

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:28 GMT

California will set aside approximately $300 million for local jurisdictions statewide to help clear homeless encampments, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday.About half of the grants will be used to prioritize clearing encampments near "state right-of-way, helping to make sure the state’s highways remain safe and secure for everyone," a news release said. Is the ‘California exodus’ still happening? What new U.S. Census numbers show “Since day one, combatting homelessness has been a top priority. Encampments are not safe for the people living in them or for community members around them. The state is giving locals hundreds of millions of dollars to move people into housing and clean up these persistent and dangerous encampments. And we are doing the same on state land, having removed 5,679 encampments since 2021,” Newsom said in a statement.The new grant comes after the state awarded $414 million from the Encampment Resolution Fund, established through Assembly Bill 140 in 2021. T...

These are California's most expensive neighborhoods for renters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:28 GMT

With mortgage rates hitting a generational high and affordable homes hard to find in major metropolitan areas, many Californians are opting to rent instead of buy.But even that comes with a steep price tag.A new study from RentHop, an online apartment rental service, shows that 30 of the most expensive rental zip codes in the United States are in California and, of that, half are in metro Los Angeles.The company looked at over 1.9 million rental listings nationwide to compile its list. It found New York City remains the most expensive city for renters with 39 of the top 100 zip codes, one more than last year. Rent control headed for the California ballot, again Nationally, Miami's tiny Fisher Island (population 360) has the priciest median rent in the United States of $20,000 per month for two bedrooms, followed by New York’s Westhampton Beach ($18,000/month).30 of the 100 most expensive zip codes for rentals is in California, according to RentHop. November 2023. (RentHop)Montecit...

Phish announces Las Vegas Sphere residency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:28 GMT

The next act at the groundbreaking Las Vegas Sphere has been announced. Phish announced they'll be taking the stage at the eye-popping venue for a limited engagement in April of 2024."Announcing four unique shows at @SphereVegas," the band posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday morning. The shows will take place on April 18, 19, 20 and 21. These will be the only shows the band will perform at the venue in 2024.The many looks of the Sphere in Las Vegas which opens Sept. 29, 2023. (KLAS)"Each of Phish’s shows will feature completely unique setlists and visuals, making every show a truly once-in-a-lifetime audio-visual experience," the X account for the Sphere posted.“From the moment we first heard about Sphere and its potential, we’ve been dreaming up ways to bring our show to this breathtaking canvas,” Trey Anastasio, Phish guitarist and vocalist, said in a statement obtained by Billboard. “We’re thrilled to present this completely unique experience to Phish fans.”Members of the ...