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Ask Amy: Should I intervene in my friends’ dog park dispute?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:37 GMT

Dear Amy: I am a retiree and one of my daily pleasures is taking my pup to a neighborhood off-leash dog park.Over time I have developed friendly relationships with a few fellow dog owners. Recently “Friend One,” one of my closer park buddies (a professional dog walker), arrived with an air horn. She claims it’s for the safety of the dogs in the event of a pup scuffle.It does seem to work, although fights are very rare at this park. The problem is that it scares the heck out of another friend’s beloved (non-aggressive) pooch.Friend Two nicely asked Friend One to refrain from honking while her dog was present. Now Friend One won’t show if Friend Two is on-site.I enjoy the company of all involved, and this little fracas has made my daily outings awkward. Should I intervene?Caught Up in a DogfightDear Caught Up: Air horns are an effective and non-invasive “safe” way to distract dogs and break up a fight.I assume that being near an escalating dog fight could be at least as traumati...

Dear Abby: My neighbor lurks near my house and takes pictures. What should I do?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:37 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I met one of our neighbors while she was walking her dog. She has since befriended me via additional meetings on the street and walks about once a week.She’s 68, has been looking unsuccessfully for a job for three years and has financial difficulties. I have given advice to her on job searches.I have noticed that she has taken pictures with me in them and pictures of the front of our house. I recently came home late, and she seemed to be lurking near the front of our house. She has asked about our alarm system and when we will be out of town.It is starting to freak me out. How do I unload this person and determine whether she is just troubled or dangerous?CREEPED OUT IN THE EASTDEAR CREEPED OUT: Start being less available for those walks. Vary your schedule so she won’t run into you as often. Use your alarm system religiously and install cameras in your home.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: She dumped me and then she died, and her ...

One motorcyclist killed on Highway 1, another injured in crash with Subaru

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:37 GMT

One motorcyclist was killed and another was seriously injured Saturday after a crash with a Subaru Crosstrek on Highway 1 near the seaside town of Bolinas, according to the California Highway Patrol.Emergency crews declared the first motorcyclist dead at the scene. The motorcyclist with major injuries was airlifted to John Muir hospital. The driver of the Subaru received minor injuries, according to CHP Officer Darrell Horner.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Marin County crash kills one on Highway 1 near Bolinas Crashes and Disasters | Teen boy killed in dirt bike crash in East Bay Crashes and Disasters | Deputy fired after fatal Central Valley crash; he was going 121 mph in the fog Crashes and Disasters | Southern California police pursuit of East Bay man ends in crash, 1 killed and 7 others injured Crashes and Disasters | Pedestrian dead following collision on Highway 4 Horner didn’t have all th...

‘Absurd and destructive:’ Zelenskyy slams Russia’s UN Security Council presidency

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:37 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin taking on the rotating monthly presidency of the 15-member United Nations Security Council came just after a young boy was killed by artillery launched by Moscow’s invading forces, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Saturday.“Unfortunately, we … have news that is obviously absurd and destructive,” Zelenskyy said in his daily address Saturday night. “Today, the terrorist state began to chair the U.N. Security Council.”The Ukrainian leader announced that a five-month-old child named Danylo had been killed by Russian munitions in Donbas on Friday. “One of the hundreds of artillery strikes that the terrorist state launches every day,” the Ukrainian leader said. “And at the same time, Russia chairs the U.N. Security Council.”Even though the position at the top of the Security Council is largely ceremonial, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called Russia’s preside...

MLB Notes: Yoshida settling in as one of the boys after hectic spring

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:37 GMT

Masataka Yoshida’s had a lot on his plate these past few months.The new Red Sox outfielder has had to adjust to life in a new country, get to know his new colleagues and prepare for his first big league season, all while taking a three-week detour to participate in arguably the most highly anticipated baseball showcase in his home country’s history.That would be enough to overwhelm almost anyone, but by all accounts the Japanese standout has handled it with aplomb.He’s made fans of his new teammates in the process.“Man he’s fantastic to be around,” said fellow outfielder Rob Refsnyder. “Just great, good energy, super professional, a lot of fun to watch somebody create that much bat speed and power, it’s so sound.”With the World Baseball Classic and now Opening Day in the rearview mirror Yoshida should finally get to settle into a more normal routine. But even in the short time he’s spent with the Red Sox he’s already made a strong impression and established himself as one of the guy...

Magic still have plenty to play for with 5 games left in regular season

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:37 GMT

At this point in the NBA regular season, most teams make clear their priorities for the season’s final stretch.Some teams turn their attention to giving players at the end of their rotation more playing time and also focus on moving down the standings with the hopes of improving their draft lottery odds.Others teams take the opposite approach: they push to move up the standings with the hopes of securing a spot in the play-in tournament/playoffs or better seeding for the playoffs.The Orlando Magic have made it clear they’re among the teams taking the second approach.“We know what we’re working toward,” guard Gary Harris told the Orlando Sentinel. “We’re building. We put ourselves in a position to continue to be in the race to make the play-in. Regardless if we make it or not, we know we want to be playing our best basketball this time of the year. Regardless of what happens this year, we know how good we can be. Our goal is the playoffs.R...

With early steals record, Orioles taking advantage of baseball’s bigger bases

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:37 GMT

If a base is open in front of Jorge Mateo, get ready. He’s running.The speedy shortstop has been leading the Orioles’ record-setting pace for stolen bases. Baltimore’s 10 steals heading into Sunday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox are the most by any team through its first two games of a season since at least 1901. Mateo is responsible for four of those swiped bags, one of only eight players with multiple steals in each of his team’s first two games and one of two in the 21st century.Major League Baseball introduced larger bases this season — going from 15 inches-by-15 inches to 18-by-18 — thus shrinking the distance between them. And anytime Mateo has set foot on one of those bigger bases, he’s taken off to try to reach the next.“I really love it,” Mateo said. “You gotta be smart. Be healthy this season, just be smart, get on base to take advantage of it.”Last season, Mateo led the American League wit...

Rebounding Pope Francis marks Palm Sunday in Vatican square

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:37 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Bundled in a long, white coat and battling a hoarse voice, Pope Francis presided over a Mass in St. Peter’s Square before tens of thousands of faithful on Palm Sunday, a day after he left a Rome hospital where he was treated for bronchitis. The sun broke through the clouds during the Mass, one of the longest services on the Church’s calendar, as Francis, red vestments placed over his coat, sat in a chair under a canopy erected in the square. He took his place there after standing and clutching a braided palm branch in a popemobile that drove at the tail end of a long, solemn procession of cardinals, other prelates and rank-and-file Catholics. Each participant carried palm fronds or olive tree branches.Francis, 86, received antibiotics administered intravenously during his three-day stay. He last previous appearance in St. Peter’s Square saw him conduct his his regular Wednesday public audience. He was taken to Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic tha...

Adam Minter: Farmers are fighting for our right to repair our iPhones

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:37 GMT

The average Tesla-driving, iPhone-using suburbanite isn’t spending a lot of time worrying about tractor software payloads. They should, though.Fixing a broken-down farm tractor used to take just a wrench set and some elbow grease. Now repairs might require a mobile-device interface, online diagnostic tools and secure software updates, too. And that stuff isn’t just sitting around in the barn. It’s mostly held at a shrinking number of manufacturer-authorized dealerships. As a result, simple breakdowns that in the past might have been repaired in hours can now take days or weeks. During busy times, such as spring planting, long delays can harm a farm’s crops and profitability.This spring, at least 11 states are trying to fix this problem. At least one — Colorado — will likely succeed. The solution, known as a right-to-repair law, guarantees that farmers and independent repair shops will have access to the same tools, software and manuals as “a...

Horoscopes April 2, 2023: Michael Fassbender, seize the moment

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:37 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Michael Fassbender, 46; Christopher Meloni, 62; Emmylou Harris, 76; Linda Hunt, 78.Christopher Meloni (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images) Happy Birthday: Take the time to get the facts before you act. Time is on your side, and your ability to come to an honest conclusion before you implement change or confront someone will be essential this year. Don’t waste time on people and things that don’t matter to you. Seize the moment and make the most of each day. A positive attitude will promote better results. Your numbers are 3, 12, 21, 28, 35, 44, 46.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Rethink your strategy and revisit experiences that can help you make better decisions. Focus on home, family and taking care of your obligations before someone complains. Research positions that interest you and you’ll find an exciting way to bring in more cash. 5 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Make plans with someone who shares your concerns. Getting involved i...