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Why the graduation lei is a popular, meaningful tradition

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

At commencement time, new graduates don their decorated caps and gowns, waving diplomas as they smile for photos. But many graduates also wear lei — made from flowers, candies, or ribbons around their necks — as congratulations from family and friends.Gifting and wearing a lei is a now ubiquitous tradition during graduations and other special occasions, including birthdays, weddings and even funerals. But where did the colorful, eye-catching garland come from, and what does receiving and wearing it actually mean?With its roots in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander culture, a lei refers to a series of strung-together objects — most commonly fresh flowers, but can also be made of leaves, braided ribbons, nuts, candy, shells, or even folded money — that are meant to be worn around the neck.Since the Hawaiian language doesn’t distinguish between singular and plural, the word “lei” also refers to more than one of these garlands. A lei can also be worn around the head — commonly called ...

‘It’s on us’: West Valley senior service providers fight to keep up with fast-growing older population

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

For a typical business, an increase in demand is a good sign. Business owners can increase production, hire more people and bring in investors because they’re going to make more money.But for nonprofit senior service providers that rely on government funds, an increase in demand just makes their job harder.“It’s on us to figure out different revenue models to help support and sustain the current demand and then plan for growth,” said Tylor Taylor, executive director of the Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council (SASCC). “It’s a really challenging industry to be in because when demand increases, you kind of cringe a little bit.”The latest Census data showed a 38% spike in the Bay Area’s senior population over the last 10 years; older adults now make up 15% of the population in the area. In Santa Clara County, seniors are expected to outnumber children under age 18 by the year 2030.“The number of older adults is climbing. Everybody’s starting to shift the lens toward ‘What do these...

Man found dead three days after disappearing in Sierra foothills swimming hole

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

The body of a Stockton man who disappeared after jumping into a Sierra foothills river on Sunday was found three days later about a mile downstream, the Nevada County sheriff’s office said.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Map: People drowned or swept away in California rivers, spring 2023 Alonso Ramos, 20, was among a group of people at a swimming hole on the South Yuba River near the community of Bridgeport, northwest of Grass Valley.An emergency call just before 4 p.m. Sunday, June 4, reported he had failed to resurface after jumping into the river.Search-and-rescue units using drones, a helicopter and swimmers searched the river. They were hindered by the dangerous conditions, as the water is running high and cold, the sheriff’s office said.Ramos’ body was found on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 7, and recovered shortly before 5 p.m.The man is one of 14 people known to have drowned or disappeared in California rivers since mid-April. The...

3 severed heads from donor bodies left at Chicago employee’s desk after complaints raised about alleged misconduct

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

By Nell Salzman | Chicago TribuneCHICAGO — Dale Wheatley, who performs deliveries for the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois, came into work two weeks ago and found sage burning and three severed heads lying on a plastic container by his desk.Wheatley, who has worked for AGA for nearly five years, said he’s never seen anything like the horror movie-like scene he stumbled upon that Wednesday morning in late May.Wheatley said the heads from AGA donors were placed next to his desk after he reported concerns about the mishandling and poor conditions of donated bodies to his supervisors. But AGA Executive Vice President William O’Connor denied any maltreatment accusations, saying that handling body parts is in Wheatley’s job description.Wheatley said he filed a police report after the heads showed up at his desk, and is now filing complaints with local and state authorities.Families of deceased donate bodies to the not-for-profit to be used in the training of medical students at eig...

Man arrested in connection with possession of child pornography

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (BCN) -- Police in Santa Rosa on Thursday arrested a man in connection with possession of child pornography.Jeffery Jon Billings, of Santa Rosa, was arrested on suspicion of possession of child pornography with a previous conviction requiring registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department. Sonoma Raceway hosts NASCAR races this weekend In August of 2022, detectives began investigating a tip a convicted sex offender was in possession of child pornography and identified Billings as the suspect. On Thursday at 8:50 a.m., detectives from the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault unit spoke with Billings at the Santa Rosa Police Department, and he was ultimately arrested.KRON On is streaming news live now.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left:...

Captured: Large black bear on the loose in Northeast DC after climbing tree has been tranquilized

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

A large black bear that briefly ran loose through backyards in Northeast D.C. after being perched in a tree for a few hours has been safely captured and is being tended to by animal control workers.The bear was tranquilized in a backyard in Franklin Street near 13th Street in the Brentwood-Brookland neighborhood shortly after 10:15 a.m., police said. A short time later, the sleeping bear was loaded into a steel cage and placed on to an animal rescue truck, seeming to bring a peaceful end to a saga that began unfolding several hours earlier.Breaking: Tranquilized black bear safely in animal rescue truck on Franklin St NE pic.twitter.com/oIQrO9aaoJ— Neal Augenstein (@AugensteinWTOP) June 9, 2023It all began about 7 a.m. Friday when police began fielding calls about a bear on the loose in the Northeast D.C. neighborhood. About half an hour later, the bear had clambered up a tree and remained perched there on a large branch.Police closed off some nearby streets and DC Animal Care and Co...

Gran oso negro causa conmoción en vecindario de DC tras trepar a árboles, pasear por los patios

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

Un gran oso negro causó conmoción en un vecindario al noroeste de Washington, D.C., durante la mañana de este viernes, tras subirse a dos árboles. El oso fue visto temprano en lo alto de un árbol en la cuadra 1300 de Franklin Street, en el área de Brookland.La policía de DC junto con personal del Cuidado y Control de Animales bloquearon las calles, mientras trabajaban para bajar al oso del área de manera segura.Los trabajadores del Zoológico Nacional Smithsonian y del Departamento de Recursos Naturales de Maryland también estaban en el lugar.El oso comenzó a descender del árbol alrededor de las 9:30 a.m. pero las fuertes sirenas de uno de los vehículos cercanos lo hicieron detenerse brevemente, antes de volver a subir a su posición y sentarse para observar a la multitud.Las fotos muestran al oso mirando hacia abajo desde una rama gruesa. Se puso de pie para reajustarse un par de veces antes de acostarse mientras los reporteros y los vecinos charlaban abajo.El oso hizo otro intento a...

En condición grave niños apuñalados durante ataque en parque de Francia

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

PARÍS – El presidente de Francia viajó este viernes a Annecy para visitar a las familias traumatizadas por el salvaje apuñalamiento de cuatro niños, todos ellos estables tras ser operados de urgencia, mientras los investigadores trabajaban para averiguar los motivos del agresor, un hombre sirio que está detenido.Emmanuel Macron y su esposa, Brigitte, viajaron juntos al hospital donde están siendo tratados tres de los cuatro menores que el jueves sufrieron heridas de arma blanca que ponían en peligro su vida en un ataque todavía sin explicación ocurrido dentro y en las inmediaciones de un parque infantil de la ciudad alpina.La primera ministra de Francia, Elisabeth Borne, explicó que los cuatro niños, con edades comprendidas entre los 22 meses y los 3 años, fueron operados y “están bajo supervisión médica constante”.“Su condición es estable”, agregó.Dos de los menores siguen en estado crítico, apuntó el vocero del gobierno, Olivier Veran, que es médico de formación. ...

DC’s air quality continues improving, region shifts to Code Yellow

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT

The air quality in the D.C. region improves to Code Yellow Friday morning following days of an unhealthy atmosphere due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. Yet, it still remains unhealthy for some groups. Here’s what you need to know.Changing to Code YellowIn a statement, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and District Department of Energy and Environment the air quality for the region continues to improve, improving its rating. According to the AirNow rating system, a Code Yellow means their air quality is acceptable but still a risk for some people, particularly those who are sensitive to air pollution.“Smoke continues to linger over the region, but concentrations have dropped below alert levels for sensitive groups,” the statement read.Particularly sensitive groups may continue to experience adverse effects caused by the air quality. Those who display certain symptoms, like coughing or shortness of breath, should make their outdoor activities short...

STORY REMOVED: AP-AF-Climate-Okavango Peatlands

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:45 GMT