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As Canadian cities make pandemic patios permanent, experts call for clear standards

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:26:21 GMT

At the height of social distancing and other restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Canadian cities rolled out temporary patio policies, loosening rules and waiving fees for bars and restaurants looking to seat more customers outdoors.These programs brought a glimmer of hope — and revenue — to businesses that had been forced to shut their doors, allowing them to offer more outdoor dining to citizens eager to leave their houses.Now, as cities transition into their new normal post-pandemic, experts say patios need better across-the-board standardization to make them more accessible, as well as more predictable for the businesses still trying to make up for lost sales.“It was a thing that became an obvious no-brainer for better streets and better neighbourhoods and better cities,” said city planning consultant Brent Toderian, who is also the former chief planner for Vancouver.“So it’s remarkable how bad a job we’ve done.”When the pandemic hit, restaurants and b...

Man found dead in a Minnesota freezer was hiding from police: investigators

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:26:21 GMT

BIWABIK, Minn. (AP) — A man found dead in a freezer in Minnesota last month was hiding from police, investigators said in a preliminary report.The body of 34-year-old Brandon Lee Buschman of Babbitt, Minnesota, was found in a chest freezer in the basement of an unoccupied home in the town of Biwabik on June 26.Investigators believe Buschman was in the house hiding because there was an active warrant for his arrest, police said in a news release Friday. Girl, 14, found at California Marine base two weeks after being reported missing They believe that he got into the freezer to hide on his own accord, perhaps because officers were in the area.The freezer was an older model that could not be opened from the inside, according to police. The house had no electricity and the freezer was not running when Buschman's body was found.

9 injured in Cleveland shooting, suspect remains at large: police

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:26:21 GMT

CLEVELAND (WJW) - Police are investigating after nine people were shot in Cleveland's Warehouse District early Sunday morning. The I-Team at Nexstar's WJW has learned that nine were injured after a suspect opened fire toward a group of people at West 6th and Johnson Court around 2:30 a.m. The suspect then left the scene.In an afternoon press conference, Cleveland Police Chief Wayne Drummond confirmed that officers were already on the scene when the shooting happened. They immediately stepped in and rendered aid to the victims. Drummond said the victims, seven men and two women, were ages 23 through 38. One man was critically hurt, but the other victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police are now searching for the suspect, who is described as a Black male who possibly has a gold grill in his mouth. Meanwhile, Bobby George, owner of several downtown businesses like Barley House and Rebol, is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person respo...

No more birthday freebies: Why some companies are reining in their customer rewards programs

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:26:21 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Reward programs, including birthday freebies and discounts, have long been a way for brands to build loyalty and incentivize spending. But now some companies are becoming a bit more stingy — and customers are taking notice.Last fall, for example, many balked at Dunkin’s decision to stop offering a free drink on their birthday and instead give them triple loyalty points on their purchase. On June 1, Sephora started requiring a $25 minimum purchase for online customers looking to claim a free gift and 250 loyalty points during their birthday month. And Red Robin added a dine-in only and $4.99 minimum purchase requirement for customers to get their free birthday burger.Changes to birthday rewards or redemption requirements aren't new. Starbucks, which gives its rewards members a free drink or food item for their birthdays, progressively limited the timeframe for redeeming that gift over the years — from 30 days, to one week, to four days and, finally, to jus...

Carousel Lounge celebrates 60 years in Austin

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:26:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Carousel Lounge celebrated 60 years in Austin Friday.While the city has grown, the owner said the vibe inside the lounge is still the same. It is known as a bar and wine hangout with live music.Carousel is family owned. Nicki Mebane said her parents opened the lounge in 1963.“I never thought I would be running a bar. My expertise was in banking, but you love the people and the customers,” Mebane said. “It’s a labor of love. It was something I never envisioned myself doing, but you come to love the people and the musicians, and basically, they are the ones that keep it doing.”Carousel Lounge celebrates 60th anniversary (KXAN Photo/Jake Sykes) Carousel Lounge celebrates 60th anniversary (KXAN Photo/Jake Sykes) Carousel Lounge celebrates 60th anniversary (KXAN Photo/Jake Sykes) Carousel Lounge celebrates 60th anniversary (KXAN Photo/Jake Sykes) Carousel Lounge celebrates 60th anniversary (KXAN Photo/Jake Sykes) Carousel Lounge celebrates 60th anniversary (KXAN Photo...

RB Javonte Williams expects to be cleared for training camp, wants to play in Week 1: “It’s up to the Broncos”

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:26:21 GMT

Javonte Williams is ready to play.During the Broncos running back’s youth football camp, which he co-hosted with cornerback Pat Surtain II on Sunday morning at Bear Creek High School, Williams said he expects to be cleared for training camp, avoiding the physically-unable-to-perform list after suffering a season-ending torn ACL in October.When asked if he would suit up in Denver’s Week 1 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 10, Williams said it’s up to the Broncos.“You know I want to play,” he said.Williams provided optimism in his recovery process when he participated in OTAs and minicamp less than eight months after injuring his right knee in the third quarter of a Week 4 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Although he wasn’t involved in team scrimmages during the media viewing period, Williams moved around well during drills.“It felt good (being on the field),” Williams said. “I’m just doing everything (the Broncos) have asked me to do. Hopefully, everything continues ...

One killed in early morning Denver shooting

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:26:21 GMT

One person was killed in an early morning shooting in west Denver Sunday, according to Denver police.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | One killed in Denver traffic crash Crime and Public Safety | Denver police investigating Saturday morning homicide Crime and Public Safety | Twitter limits that snarled NWS July Fourth storm-tracking raise public safety concerns Crime and Public Safety | Motorcyclist dies after being shot, crashing on I-70 Crime and Public Safety | 3 years after Colorado’s landmark police accountability bill, what’s changed? And has push for further reform slowed? The shooting happened at 1:36 a.m. in the 1200 block of North Yates Street, Sgt. David Abeyta said. The gender and age of the victim have not been released.Abeyta could not provide additional information about the attack on Sunday.ALERT:#DPD is investigating a shooting in the 1200 block of N. Yates St. One vi...

Second pedestrian killed by hit-and-run in San Jose this weekend

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:26:21 GMT

A woman was hit and killed by a car in South San Jose Saturday night, according to police. It’s the second pedestrian death in the city in just three days.The accident reportedly occurred around 9:45 p.m. near the intersection of East Capitol Expressway and Monterey Highway.The woman was brought to a nearby hospital, where she later died. Police say the collision is being investigated as a hit-and-run.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | San Jose: Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run collision Crashes and Disasters | Two-car rollover crash in Antioch kills 20-year-old woman Crashes and Disasters | Girl running on Highway 101 was fatally struck; her father is charged with murder Crashes and Disasters | Warrant issued for suspect in fatal Richmond hit-and-run Crashes and Disasters | Driver killed in Highway 242 crash is identified The westbound section of East Capitol Expressway between Snell Ave and Seven ...

VIDEO: Over 100 people arrested after Dolores Park riot

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:26:21 GMT

(KRON) -- A portion of Dolores Street was closed near Dolores Park on Saturday evening, and police say it was in reaction to a non-sanctioned skateboarding event which turned into a riot. 12 people rescued by water in separate incidents due to high winds near San Francisco A total of 32 adults and 81 minors were arrested in connection to a riot that broke out near the park. SFPD worked with other city agencies to handle the "unpermitted and non-sanctioned" event. Additional officers were assigned to the area to address public safety, and barricades were put in place in preparation for the event, police said. Around 6:15 p.m. a large group of people with skateboards gathered in and around Dolores Park. Police say crowd members began lighting fireworks in the area of Cumberland and Dolores streets. Some residents in the area were escorted to their homes because they were "afraid for their safety" police said.Just after 7 p.m., a man approached a police sergeant before allegedly sp...

Braves ace Max Fried makes rehab start at Triple-A Gwinnett, first appearance since May 5

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:26:21 GMT

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Braves ace Max Fried threw 35 pitches over 1 1/3 scoreless innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday — his first appearance in more than two months.Fried, runner-up for the NL Cy Young Award in 2022, has been on the 60-day injured list recuperating from a strained left forearm. His expected return after the All-Star break would further bolster a team that already has baseball’s best record. Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder have helped to fill the void in the rotation, both earning their first selections to the All-Star Game.Fried was 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA in five starts before he experienced pain in his forearm during a May 5 appearance against Baltimore. The Braves have been overly cautious in his rehab, focusing on getting Fried fully healthy for the second half of the season.He started for Atlanta’s suburban affiliate against the Omaha Storm Chasers, throwing 18 of 35 pitches for strikes. The lefty allowed one hit, walked two and struck ou...