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Lakeland mom of 7 graduates as class valedictorian

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:16:14 GMT

LAKELAND, Florida (WFTS) — On July 7, 2023 — Ashley Payne gave a Valedictorian speech in front of a crowded auditorium in Lakeland.The 35-year-old mother was also her high school Valedictorian.But when you hear her story, you realize these two achievements are just bookends to an incredible journey that started after high school graduation.“I wasn’t able to continue because I immediately got a pulmonary embolism which is not something that an 18-year-old usually gets,” she said.Sidelined from school because of her health Payne came back home to focus on her family.In 2019, more than 10 years after a wedding and five kids later — she said felt healthy enough to try again.And again, she was met with tragedy.“My mother, who was my greatest cheerleader through everything she ended up passing away,” she said.But at her lowest — Payne said words written on a sticky note from the heart of her daughter Lorelai Payne kept her going.“Aim for the moon,...

Local students spend two weeks at sea with Boston-based nonprofit

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:16:14 GMT

Eighteen students from Boston International Newcomers Academy recently sailed back into Boston Harbor after a once-in-a-lifetime voyage. The students sailed with the Boston-based nonprofit World Ocean School, spending two weeks aboard the Denis Sullivan ship. Together, the students lived like sailors and worked alongside the ship’s crew to keep the vessel up and running. “They stand watch,” said World Ocean SchooL Executive Director Eden Leonard. “They steer the ship. They do all the chores.”Leonard said students learned navigation, ways to tie knots, and more. “[M]eanwhile, they’re building community amongst themselves,” Leonard said. All of the students on the voyage are new immigrants to the US. On their trip, their destination was Ellis Island — the first stop for millions of immigrants in years past.“These students all recently immigrated here to the US,” Leonard said. “They’ve been in the country only a yea...

Healey Takes Court To Give Summer Nights A Bounce

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:16:14 GMT

The sounds of basketballs hitting the pavement, loud pop music and stomping feet marked the kickoff of this year’s summer programming meant to give young people a fun and safe place to go at night.Under a beating sun in Hyde Park on Tuesday morning, Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll shot hoops with kids and members of community organizations that receive funding through the state for the programming.The Department of Conservation’s “Summer Nights Program,” now in its ninth year, is expanding its reach, Healey said.“There’s really nothing more important than looking after the health and wellbeing of our young people working together to make sure that they have opportunities, that they have safe neighborhoods, that they have healthy lives,” Healey said, standing on the basketball court at Francis D. Martini Memorial Shell Park in Boston.The Summer Nights Program provides recreational and education opportunities for people ages 13 to ...

Officials showcase upgrades at Gillette Stadium

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:16:14 GMT

Crews at Gillette Stadium recently showed off some of the facility’s big changes ahead of the upcoming Patriots season, showcasing amenities ranging from a new massive screen at the stadium to changes to Gillette’s popular lighthouse.Now 21-years-old, Gillette Stadium is nearing the end of a massive $250 million renovation project. Stadium officials opened the doors on Tuesday, holding a walkthrough of the nearly completed construction site. Officials provided details on upgrades that include a new and enhanced 22-story lighthouse, a 360-degree observation deck and a high-resolution scoreboard. Sixty feet tall and 360 feet wide, the scoreboard is the largest outdoor video board in the country. This year, Gillette will also have new premium space, added and improved concession locations and new restrooms. The main attraction, though, will be the video board, which is equivalent to half an acre in total surface area.“It is going to allow us to not just show one continuo...

Swampscott police looking to ID suspect behind attempted bank robbery

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:16:14 GMT

Police in Swampscott are asking for the public’s help as they work to identify a man who attempted to rob a bank on Paradise Road.The Swampscott Police Department said it was just after 8 a.m. on Monday, July 10, when the suspect entered a Salem 5 Bank and approached a teller, handing them a note that allegedly demanded money.According to officials, the teller proceeded to not give the suspect any cash, leading to him collecting the note and fleeing the scene through the Swampscott Mall parking lot, heading towards Essex Street.Police described the suspect as a white male who appeared to be in his mid- to late-50s and had blonde facial hair and green/blue eyes. Swampscott PD also shared several images of the suspect on Facebook that were taken from a surveillance camera.Anyone with information on the incident or the suspect is asked to contact the police department at (781) 595-1111.

Bruins sign North Billerica’s Marc McLaughlin to one-year, two-way deal

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:16:14 GMT

The Bruins signed another one of the young players that they hope will make a push for a roster spot in training camp come September.The B’s on Tuesday inked right-shot forward Marc McLaughlin to a one-year, two-way deal with an NHL cap hit of $775,000.McLaughlin, the North Billerica product who will turn 24 no July 26, made a splash when he was first signed as a free agent out of Boston College two years ago, scoring three goals in 11 games with the big club, including a goal in his NHL debut.He followed that up with a solid training camp last September and was a bit of a surprise demotion near the end of camp. He went down to the farm and had a decent first full pro season, notching 13-17-30 totals in 66 games. He played two games in Boston with no points.How much of a shot he has of making the team will depend greatly on whether or not Patrice Bergeron and/or David Krejci decide to retire. Right now the B’s have three centers under contract – Pavel Zacha, who is expec...

Chill out with an icy treat at this San Diego spot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:16:14 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- With temperatures warming up, San Diegans might be looking for ways to beat the heat, maybe with a sweet treat. Whether its ice cream or a slushy, there's plenty of delicious desserts people can enjoy to cool off. However, one spot in San Diego is offering some new creations that put a twist on a classic chilly confection, Japanese shave ice.KoLi Shave Ice Bar in Kearny Mesa brings the beloved Japanese summertime treat to Southern California with unique recipes layered in sweetness."Every recipe is made really authentic," said one of the workers at KoLi, Robert. "It's the closest you can get to taking a trip to Japan without paying for the plane ticket."Unlike Hawaiian or Italian shave ice, Japanese shave ice is known for being a fluffier concoction, given the use of machines with a very fine blade. Take a spin! Historic Balboa Park carousel rides again KoLi uses a swan shave ice maker from the city of Osaka that grates the ice -- also imported from Japan -- into an a...

Man killed, child injured in three-wheel motorcycle crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:16:14 GMT

LAKESIDE, Calif. — A man was killed and a two-year-old child was injured Monday after a crash in Lakeside, the California Highway Patrol said.According to CHP, the incident happened around 7:30 p.m. when a 63-year-old man was driving a three-wheel Honda motorcycle eastbound on Serena Road, west of Serena Lane.At the time of the crash, the man had a two-year-old boy seated on the motorcycle as a passenger.The driver lost control of the vehicle while approaching a right curve in the road, prompting them to travel off the paved portion of the road, CHP Public Information Officer Jared Grieshaber said in a news release. Stuck at a red light? You may need to let it know you’re there Both the driver and the child, who were not wearing helmets, were ejected from the vehicle during the crash, CHP said.The man suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, CHP said. The child was transported to Rady Children's Hospital via ground ambulance with minor injuries....

NATO leaders agree to spend at least two per cent of their countries’ GDP on defence

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:16:14 GMT

VILNIUS, Lithuania — The leaders of NATO member countries have pledged to boost spending on national defence, even though Canada and other countries have for years failed to meet the alliance’s previous target.A statement released by NATO leaders on Tuesday said members have agreed to make the existing target of two per cent of GDP the minimum spend each year, with one-fifth of that going toward major equipment and research and development.Leaders gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania, for an annual meeting also agreed to let Ukraine join the military alliance “when allies agree and conditions are met” and fast-track the process for its future membership.But they offered no timeline for that process, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said was “absurd.”Even as they appeared to close the door on the possibility of Ukraine joining the alliance during wartime, allies reaffirmed their support for the country and said existing members need to do more, an...

Bank regulator consulting on proposed mortgage guideline changes

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:16:14 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada’s banking regulator has launched consultations on proposed changes to mortgage guidelines to address risks related to borrowers with growing balances.The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions wants to address risks related to rising balances, which can happen in cases such as when fixed payments on variable rate mortgages aren’t enough to cover the interest portion. The proposal comes after a rapid rise in interest rates from 0.25 per cent early last year to 4.75 per cent as of last month that have put strain on borrowers and raised concerns over risks to the mortgage market.The regulator’s proposal would formalize that mortgages with a growing balance and a loan-to-value ratio above 65 per cent do not meet its expectations related to B-20 mortgage guidelines.For the mortgage insurer capital adequacy test, it would allow some mortgages to grow to 105 per cent of the original loan before a lender takes remedial action, up from the cu...