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Rare, flesh-eating bacteria has killed 5 in Tampa Bay area since January

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Five people are confirmed dead in the Tampa Bay area due to a rare, flesh-eating bacteria in the waters. According to Florida Health, Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that naturally occurs in warm, brackish seawater and requires salt. Ivermectin still not effective or approved for COVID-19 treatment, FDA says There have been 25 reported cases and five deaths since January 2023."Living in Florida, being around the marine environment, we need to be aware of what it is," said Dr. Eric Shamas, an emergency medicine physician at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. There are two confirmed deaths in Hillsborough County, one in Sarasota County, one in Polk County, and one in Pasco County. In 2022, there were 74 total cases and 17 deaths. Most occurred in Lee County after Hurricane Ian's waters flooded the community.According to Florida Health, a person can get infected with Vibrio vulnificus when eating raw shellfish, particularly oysters, and entering seawater with an op...

Union workers reach three year deal with Chicago's major hotels

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

CHICAGO -- Chicago hotel workers at more than two dozen downtown major hotel properties have ratified a new contract.The UNITE HERE Local 1 presented Chicago hotel workers at Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt-operated properties"It is a path forward which begins our world class city’s return to first class guest service and takes care of the workers who are the heart and soul of the Chicago hospitality experience,” Karen Kent, President of UNITE HERE Local 1, stated. ‘Really incredible’: Inside a downtown Chicago pizza tour The new three-year agreement requires that hotels clean guest rooms every day, provides a $25 per hour minimum for non-tipped workers, preserves workers’ excellent healthcare coverage, and strengthens their pension.UNITED HERE Local 1 and the Chicago major hotels were able to reach the deal ahead of the Aug. 31 contract expiritation date.

Hole In The Wall avoids closure after receiving $1.6M, 20-year lease from city

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 18, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the 50th anniversary on the horizon, The Hole in the Wall, an Austin bar, received a new grant to keep the music playing for 20 more years.The club on Guadalupe Street near Dean Keeton Street received $1.6 million through the Iconic Venue Fund and the Austin Economic Development Corporation (AEDC).Before this grant, owners noted how The Hole in the Wall had been at risk of closing."The Drag" along the University of Texas has seen a lot of turnover and change, due in no small part to rising rent.The Hole in the Wall owner Will Tanner said spots like this help preserve the soul of Austin."I think that's important, just to have a culture where people can have a place to play, that where you know it sounds good, and there are friendly folks there. And I think that really, there's evidence that a lot of artists came out of here and went on to do great things,” Tanner said.The AEDC chose 1...

Cardinals promote star prospect Masyn Winn, set for MLB debut Friday

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Cardinals turn to the future, calling up dynamic prospect Masyn Winn with just weeks remaining in the 2023 season. Winn earns his promotion ahead of Friday's game against the New York Mets. The Cardinals officially announced his call-up late Thursday evening. The 21-year-old Winn will make his much-anticipated MLB debut on Friday, batting ninth, starting at shortstop and sporting jersey No. 0. He expects around 15 family members and close friends will watch his first game at Busch Stadium. "I feel pretty good right now, pretty relaxed, but I'm sure that will change when the game starts," said Winn ahead of his big-league debut Friday. "Just overwhelmed with emotions."A shortstop by trait, Winn was widely regarded as the top prospect in the Cardinals farm system after Jordan Walker entering the year. He has spent the entire 2023 season at Triple-A Memphis working to polish all aspects of his game, and his 128 hits are among the Top 10 for anyone at one speci...

O'Fallon woman charged with animal neglect in two deaths

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - An O'Fallon woman faces criminal charges after two animals believed to be in her care died earlier this year. Prosecutors have charged Alicia Moellering, 25, with two counts of animal neglect or abandonment. plus two counts of possession of a controlled substance, in connection with the animals' deaths. ‘Stop work’ order triggers $7K bill in Jennings as resignations stack up According to a news release from the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Moellering "failed to provide adequate care of two animals," leading to their deaths last April. As police investigated a scene with the animals, they found red and black capsules, clear plastic bags with a crystallized substance, and several empty baggies with a crystallized residue. Lab results later confirmed the substances to be fentanyl and methamphetamine.  Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily New...

City of St. Louis offers COVID-19 vaccines at annual food truck festival

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS - As new COVID-19 concerns rise around the United States, the City of St. Louis offered free vaccines Friday afternoon in an effort to help slow the spread. The vaccines were offered at the Downtown St. Louis License Collector’s Office on Friday afternoon during an annual food truck festival. “We, the license collector's office, used to do things in the rotunda,” says Mavis Thompson, License Collector for the City of St. Louis. “But we couldn’t bring in businesses because of COVID. Also, you can’t sell food in the rotunda. So, we thought, ‘What are we going to do about the business that sell food?' And we said, 'Walla! Food truck festival.’”  ‘Stop work’ order triggers $7K bill in Jennings as resignations stack up This the third year that the license collector’s office has organized the event.“We always have the health department, and they’re out here doing vaccines and boosters and things like that,” says Thompson.Food trucks lined up on Market Street outside city hall,...

Wayward, orange iguana rescued in Cherry Creek State Park

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

An out-of-place orange iguana was rescued from the wilds of Cherry Creek State Park this week after a park visitor reported the wayward reptile.Orange iguanas are native to Central and South America. The species can be aggressive if they feel threatened.Animal care and protection staffers aren’t sure whether the iguana escaped from an owner, or whether the animal was dumped in the park, said Alyssa Haden,  field supervisor with Arapahoe County Animal Services.More than likely the iguana was released, Haden said, as on no owner contacting local officials about a lost or escaped iguana.“He seemed used to being handled, pretty docile,” Haden said.This is not what we mean by Keep Colorado Wild!But seriously, please don’t release pets or exotic wildlife into our state parks. We want to native species to live and thrive. https://t.co/bDtpNXc7UI— CPW NE Region (@CPW_NE) August 18, 2023The release of non-native species into parks and open lands is problematic for a n...

Hurricane Hilary takes aim at Southern California: Live updates

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

Hurricane Hilary reached Category 4 strength as it moved northward along the Pacific coast of Mexico's Baja Peninsula. The storm is expected to make landfall in Southern California on Sunday as a weak Category 1 or a tropical storm with rainfall amounts ranging from 2 to 10 inches. Many communities are bracing for flash flooding and a destructive storm surge. Live Hilary Radar | Interactive Storm Tracker | Full coverage4:31 p.m. Friday - Riverside County is encouraging residents to sign up for official email and mobile alerts at https://rivcoready.org/alert-rivcoRiverside County's tropical storm preparedness message. Aug. 18, 2023. (Riverside Co.)4:15 p.m. Friday - The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority released this statement ahead of the incoming storm: Metro is closely monitoring the situation with the approaching storm. We will be providing information about any impacts to service at Metro.net, thesource.metro.net and at twitter.com/metrolosangeles. Stay sa...

Search and Rescue crews on alert ahead of Hurricane Hilary's arrival

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

As Southern California prepares for the arrival of a rare tropical storm event, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says its search and rescue teams are on alert and ready to respond.During a community preparedness briefing Friday afternoon, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced that the LASD search and rescue teams, including Swiftwater Rescue personnel and rescue aircraft, will be ready to deploy when Hurricane Hilary reaches landfall.Hilary is expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reaches coastal Southern California, but Luna reminded the public that the storm is still expected to create "significant rain, possible flash flooding, severe winds, storm surge, dangerous surf, marine conditions and even possibly tornadoes."In response to the dangerous conditions, search and rescue crews have been activated in the event of a catastrophe, with more expected to be on the ready beginning Sunday through Wednesday. Hurricane Hilary: Live Updates ...

L.A. Mayor gives update on Hurricane Hilary arriving in SoCal

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass held a press conference Friday to discuss the city’s preparation for the incoming Hurricane Hilary set to make landfall in Southern California this weekend.Mayor Bass was also joined by the general managers of city departments.“The city of L.A. is mobilizing in advance of the landfall of Hurricane Hilary,” Bass said Friday. “This is potentially an unprecedented, extreme weather event for Los Angeles, Southern California and the rest of the West Coast. The city is prepared. We're not waiting for the storm to hit. We've already begun working 24/7 to be ahead of the curve and to be ready as soon as the storm reaches our shores."Currently a Category 4 hurricane, Hilary is forecast to head north through Baja California before making its way into the Southland. Southern Californians should start feeling the remnants of Hilary on Saturday as cloud coverage increases and light rain starts to fall. Stronger showers are expected to move in on Sunday with the heavi...