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'Taylor Swiftkin' unveiled, a giant pumpkin taking stage in Dublin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:40 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Meet Taylor Swiftkin, a 399-pound pumpkin grown by a central Ohio woman who for 35 years has decorated pumpkins to look like celebrities.Jeanette Paras, 68, of Dublin, Ohio, unveiled Swiftkin this week with hair made from more than nine wigs, ears made from sweet potatoes and a football pumpkin by her side dedicated to Swift's boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. For more than three decades, Paras has captured pop culture through her giant celebrity pumpkin creations. List: 2023 Trick-or-Treat dates in central Ohio "With so much going on in the news today, much of it disturbing, Taylor SwiftKin stood out. I considered 'pumpkinizing' others, but Taylor is a bright star in today’s pop culture," Paras said. "And then, when she was romantically linked to two-time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce, that certainly made her more interesting. As I like to say, I don’t make the news, I pumpkinize it."(Courtesy Photo/ParasPumpkins)(Courtesy Photo/Pa...

US authorities warn of 'violent extremists and lone offenders' motivated by Israel-Hamas conflict

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:40 GMT

(The Hill) — Federal authorities warned on Thursday of the increasing threat posed by “violent extremists and lone offenders” on U.S. soil amid the ongoing war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.In a joint news release, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the threat level has increased since their initial alert earlier this month. “Since DHS and FBI issued the 10 October Public Service Announcement, the volume and frequency of threats to Americans, especially those in the Jewish, Arab American, and Muslim communities in the United States, have increased, raising our concern that violent extremists and lone offenders motivated by or reacting to ongoing events could target these communities,” the federal agencies said in their joint news bulletin. The suspect in the fatal Maine shootings is still at large. Residents are sheltering in place The federal agencies said they have seen “hoax bomb threats targeting h...

Forecasters caught off guard by Hurricane Otis, which has killed at least 27

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:40 GMT

Hurricane Otis turned from mild to monster in record time, and scientists are struggling to figure out how — and why they didn't see it coming.Usually reliable computer models and the forecasters who use them didn’t predict Otis’ explosive intensification, creating a nightmare scenario of an unexpectedly strong storm striking at night. At least 27 people are dead and four missing in the destruction along Mexico's Pacific coast, with devastation that extends for miles.All this after Acapulco was told to expect a tropical storm just below hurricane strength. Just 24 hours later, Otis blasted ashore with 165 mph (266 kph) winds, the strongest landfall of any East Pacific hurricane.In just 12 hours, Otis’ strength more than doubled from 70 mph (113 kph) winds to 160 mph (257 kph), also a record, as it neared the coast. And it got even stronger before it struck. Storms typically gain or lose a few miles per hour in 12 hours, though some outliers gain 30 to 50 mph (48 to 80 kph) in a day....

Man charged with murder sentenced to 9 years in prison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was convicted and sentenced by a court Oct. 13 in connection with the death of a person in north Austin in July 2021.Milo Douglas was sentenced to serve nine years in state prison for the murder of 48-year-old Lauren Gums, according to court documents. PAST COVERAGE: 2 charged with murder in connection with north Austin homicide Records showed Douglas pleaded guilty ahead of his sentencing.According to court documents, Douglas received a jail credit of 117 days toward his sentence.

PHOTOS: Severe storms, flooding slam parts of Central Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Severe storms, flooding and even tornado sightings have cropped up throughout Central Texas Thursday. As flood risks continue through Thursday evening, here's a look at some of the damages captured by KXAN crews and viewers.

Ryan Reaves hit still bothering Wild’s Freddy Gaudreau

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:40 GMT

PHILADELPHIA — Freddy Gaudreau, who played all 82 regular-season games for the Wild last season, will miss at least the three starting Thursday night against the Flyers at Wells Fargo Arena.Sidelined by an upper body injury, Gaudreau did not travel here with the team and won’t join his teammates for games Friday at Washington and Sunday in New Jersey.“He’s been dealing with it,” head coach Dean Evason said Thursday.Gaudreau took a wicked blind check from former teammate Ryan Reaves at Toronto on Oct. 14 and had to compose himself on the ice for several moments — while Reaves and Marcus Foligno traded blows — before he was able to skate off.Gaudreau was examined after the hit but returned and played 9 minutes, 51 seconds in the Wild’s 7-4 loss. Afterward, he said he had the wind knocked out of him.He joins a growing list of regulars sidelined by injuries. Defensemen Alex Goligoski (lower body) and Jared Spurgeon (upper body) are on long term injured reserve, and Matt Boldy is skating...

Kingston man gets 7 years in prison on gun charge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:40 GMT

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 36-year-old male from Kingston was sentenced to seven years in state prison. Anthony Lyman will also serve five years of post-release supervision upon release from prison. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Lyman was indicted by an Ulster County Grand Jury for possessing a loaded 9mm pistol. According to the indictment, Lyman flashed the gun at an individual inside an apartment, who subsequently contacted law enforcement. Lyman was apprehended two blocks away.Police charged Lyman with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kristen Druse.

Saratoga Springs Police warn of uptick in catalytic converter thefts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:40 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Saratoga Springs Police Department is reportedly seeing an increase in catalytic converter theft reports. Targeted vehicles have been Hondas and Hyundais. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police are warning residents to be wary and to try and park their vehicles in a closed garage. Other recommended options are to park in a well-lit area or a location with camera surveillance. Car owners can tell if their catalytic converters are missing if they notice the following signs:A loud roar when the car starts or acceleratesAn increase in exhaust fumesUnusual exhaust smellsMissing parts under the vehicle leading to mufflerUneven or sputtering acceleration due to lack of exhaust regulationCheck engine lightInspection failures DOD Official gives statement on Maine mass shooting suspect The Saratoga Springs Police Department is asking for public assistance. Businesses and residence owners are asked...

Final push for Special Olympics NY Polar Plunge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:40 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Lake George Polar Plunge benefitting the Special Olympics NY, is less than a month away on November 18th. Organizers say right now fundraising is far short of the goal.In the Capital District there are 4,000 athletes who are part of Special Olympics NY. Participants will be "freezin' for a reason" after they raise money from family and friends and then splash into the frigid water in Lake George. The goal is to raise $180,000 this year, but so far only $55,000 has been raised. All of the money raised helps provide year round sports training, competitions, leadership, health, and inclusion programs like unified sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Capital Region.Chris Hughes, the Special Olympics NY Development Director and local athlete, Tom Mooney, the Special Olympics USA gold medalist, joined NEWS10 ABC's Christina Arangio in studio Thursday morning to share what people can do to help in the final push to raise funds.

MSN names Lake George cleanest lake in U.S.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:40 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The waters of Lake George are beloved by many - and were hailed last week at a national level. An article on Microsoft-owned news service MSN spells it out from the headline: "This Is The Cleanest Lake In The U.S." Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The article, by MSN writer Maria Bou Ink, cites a ranking from A-Z Animals which names Lake George as the cleanest lake in the United States. It makes note of the fact that Lake George is fed by mountain streams, and resides largely on protected forest land, with little manmade activity outside of the village. The article also praises the lake for being attractive to vacationers."Considering that numerous beautiful lakes from Colorado, Oregon, and Montana were also listed, Lake George has the highest score," the article states. "All in all, it is a fantastic location for tourists to enjoy their favorite water activities, and on a hot summer day, it is a lov...