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Steeple falls as fast-moving fire tears through historic church in Spencer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:06 GMT

A fire ripped through a historic church in Spencer Friday, toppling the structure’s steeple and drawing a massive emergency response. “For a lot of folks its a death in the family, for folks who have gone through life milestones here from baptisms to weddings to funerals, it’s devastating,” Rev. Dr. Bruce MacLeod of the church said.After hours spent battling the flames, investigators on Friday evening said the fire may have been caused by lightning. “I’m just sad for the parishioners and the generations and generations of people who have put their heart and soul into this church,” said Danielle Debo after witnessing the fire.The Spencer Police Department shared multiple photos of the First Congregational United Church steeple showing heavy smoke around 3 p.m. Firefighters from surrounding communities ultimately joined the response, pouring water on the structure as smoke continued to rise over the area. Community members on scene said the histor...

Pedaling for a purpose: Founder discusses Best Buddies Challenge ahead of 2023 ride

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:06 GMT

Hundreds of riders were resting up Friday for a big day on Saturday just hours before this year’s Best Buddies Challenge. With the fundraiser bike ride from Boston to Hyannis Port around the corner, 7NEWS spoke with Best Buddies founder Anthony Shriver about the ride.“It’s really an event to sort of kick-start people getting engaged in inclusion and acceptance, involved in social justice, inspiring young people to recognize that the greatest thing they can do is give back,” Shriver said.    Shriver took an idea born in his college dorm room more than 30 years ago and built Best Buddies into a global organization helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live full lives.“It’s helping them find jobs, helping them find friends, helping them create leadership opportunities for themselves — good integrated living,” Shriver said. Shriver’s biggest supporter was his mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of the Special Olympics...

7NEWS Team members among hundreds taking part in annual Best Buddies Challenge bike ride

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:06 GMT

Hundreds of riders took off for the annual Best Buddies Challenge on Saturday, including a few familiar faces!Bikers rode from Boston to Hyannis Port to support the organization’s mission to change the lives of people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.7NEWS is a proud partner with Best Buddies, continuing a relationship forged by the late owner of our station — Ed Ansin. There’s still time to donate to the station’s fundraiser in his memory.Members of the 7NEWS Team started their ride 10:30 a.m. The Team also had time to meet with some of the buddies before setting off on their 20-mile ride.7’s Kim Khazei, Jeremy Reiner and Jadiann Thompson checked in with the station from Sandwich ahead of their ride on a somewhat dreary day.It’s Reiner’s first time participating in Best Buddies, and he reported that rain hasn’t hindered the event, and there’s a wind coming in as well. “No matter the weather, we’re Boston Strong,” Thompson said.

Mets induct Gary Cohen, Howie Rose, Al Leiter and Howard Johnson into team Hall of Fame

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:06 GMT

Shortly before Tylor Megill threw the first pitch against George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays, the Mets inducted some of the franchise’s most beloved figures into the team’s Hall of Fame.Al Leiter, Howard Johnson, Gary Cohen and Howie Rose were inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame Saturday in front of family and friends at Citi Field.Mets VP of media relations Jay Horwitz also became the fifth person in team history to be honored with the Mets Hall of Fame Achievement Award for contributions to the organizationThe 2023 Hall of Fame class induction started with Horwitz receiving his flowers first. He’s worked with the Mets for 40 years and has been tasked with putting together these same kinds of events to honor Mets players throughout his tenure.But on Saturday, he was the one being honored.Horwitz, who Cohen called the backbone of the team, didn’t speak on-field like the other honorees but he admitted to reporters prior that the tables being turned this...

Photos: A hazy morning fishing Quincy Bay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:06 GMT

The warm weather over the end of the week was the perfect setting for a trio of fishermen who took to Quincy Bay.At around 6:30 a.m. Friday, three anglers could be seen on the hazy bay on calm waters.The bay is quite shallow in places, and the motor could be seen lifted and one of the men wielded a long pole and appeared to be push-poling the skiff.While temperatures would rise to balmy 80 degrees or more in Quincy and even hotter elsewhere in Greater Boston by the afternoon, the time of the fishing trip was a much more temperate 70 degrees.Matt Stone/Boston HeraldA trio fish from their boat during the early hours in Quincy Bay on Friday in Quincy. (Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

Gun reform advocates wear orange in honor of Gun Violence Awareness Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:06 GMT

Advocates across Massachusetts held events Saturday to honor the lives of people affected by gun violence and push for more reforms, including one community gathering in Roxbury where electeds and professional athletes were scheduled to make an appearance.Shootings across the country have become nearly synonymous with daily life, and mass casualty events have occurred at a regular pace in the United States since two gunmen walked into Columbine High School in 1999 and killed 13 people. More recently, a gruesome shooting in Uvalde, Texas, left 19 students and two teachers dead in May 2022.But mass shootings make up only 1% of gun deaths in the United States, said Angela Christiana of Moms Demand Action, one of the organizers of the local “Wear Orange” event in Roxbury.“Today we gather in unity wearing orange across the country, a symbol of reverence for every precious whole life affected by gun violence. It’s a powerful statement to wear orange, it’s a call for change,” C...

2 killed in Mission Bay crash identified

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:06 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The two people killed in a crash last month in the Mission Bay area have been identified, local medical officials said.Donna Miroslava Munoz, 39, and Kody Grant Hornburg, 34, were announced as the deceased, the San Diego County Medical County Medical Examiner's Office said on its website.The two-vehicle crash occurred on May 18 near Quivira Avenue and West Mission Bay Drive, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. Rock N’ Roll Marathon: What to know about road closures and parking Authorities say a Toyota Prius was making a right hand turn from West Mission Bay Drive onto Quivira Road when a motorcyclist, Hornburg, collided with the passenger side of the Prius where Munoz was seated. Both died from their injuries.Four other occupants of the Prius were taken to nearby hospitals with varying injuries, including an infant who did not suffer major injuries, according to officials. The family in the Prius were visiting from Los Angeles.

Regina Pats phenom Connor Bedard makes history at CHL Awards

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:06 GMT

Connor Bedard made Canadian Hockey League history on Saturday.The presumed No. 1 pick of this year’s NHL draft won the CHL Top Prospect, Top Scorer, and David Branch Player of the Year awards. It’s the first time since the Top Scorer award was introduced in 1994 that a player has won all three in a single season.Bedard — set to turn 18 years old on July 17 — had 143 points (71 goals, 72 assists) in 57 regular-season games starring for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League.Olen Zellweger of the Kamloops Blazers took home the CHL Defenceman of the Year award. Nominated alongside Pavel Mintyukov and Tristan Luneau, it was the first time an NHL team had three of its prospects up for the honour, all three being draft picks of the Anaheim Ducks between 2021 and 2022.Nathan Darveau of the Victoriaville Tigres claimed the Goaltender of the Year award, Dave Cameron of the Ottawa 67’s won the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year award and Maxim Massé of the Chicoutimi Sague...

Alberta’s provincewide state of emergency to end as wildfire situation improves

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:06 GMT

EDMONTON — Alberta’s public safety and emergency services minister says a provincewide state of emergency that was declared nearly a month ago to deal with unprecedented wildfires will end Saturday at midnight.Mike Ellis told a news conference the wildfire situation in Alberta remains serious but, overall, things have improved significantly and it’s anticipated they will continue to improve.He says support will not stop for communities affected by active wildfires, including Fort Chipewyan, which remains evacuated due to a large fire burning about seven kilometres away.The state of emergency was implemented May 6 to expedite co-ordination of firefighting resources and support for evacuees.Christie Tucker with Alberta Wildfire says the Rocky Mountain wildfire which threatens Fort Chipewyan remains a top priority and 85 Canadian troops were on the way to the area on Saturday afternoon Tucker told the news conference the blaze was quiet on Friday until the evening, but crew...

Texas bans gender-affirming care for minors after governor signs bill

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:06 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas has become the most populous state to ban gender-affirming care for minors after Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation on Friday. Texas joined at least 18 other states that have enacted similar bans.Every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association, has opposed the bans and supported the medical care for youth when administered appropriately. Lawsuits have been filed in several states where bans have been enacted this year.Last year, Abbott became the first governor to order the investigation of families who were receiving care. The investigations were later halted by a Texas judge.The GOP-controlled Legislature sent the bill to Abbott last month. Republicans in the Senate took the final vote over the objections from Democrats, who used parliamentary maneuvers to delay passage but could not derail it entirely. Transgender rights activists have disrupted the Texas House with protests from the chamber gallery, which led to state poli...