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Montreal’s social intervention squad contends with rising need, lack of shelter space

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:21 GMT

MONTREAL — Equipped with a case of naloxone and a backpack of warm socks, two members of Montreal’s social intervention team peer around the side of a dumpster behind a downtown McDonald’s, looking to see if someone needs their help. Wolf and Rosalie — who can only be identified by their first names at the insistence of their employer due to the sensitive nature of their work — are members of the city’s mobile mediation and social intervention team, or EMMIS. The team was created in 2021 to respond to situations involving vulnerable clientele such as those who are homeless, intoxicated or in crisis in public areas, often as an alternative to calling police. The squad now has 32 members patrolling four boroughs, and the city hopes to expand it.However, as the need for their services grows, members of the team say it’s getting harder to fulfil a key part of their mandate — helping people find space in a shelter or get specialized health care. Often there aren’t any places ...

Major drink brands launch more non-alcoholic drinks as “sober curious” trend grows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:21 GMT

As interest in non-alcoholic drinks grows, major alcohol brands are making moves with sober versions of well-known products like Guinness and Tanqueray gin. Experts say it’s a sign there’s still plenty of room for growth in the industry. “If I was running an alcoholic beverage company … this is not a space that I would ignore,” said Joel Gregoire, associate director for food and drink at market research company Mintel. Surveys in the U.S. and Canada show consumers, especially younger generations, are increasingly cutting back on alcohol consumption. With demand on the rise, the market is expected to keep growing. While Mintel research shows around 15 per cent of Canadians 20 and older don’t drink at all, there’s another, likely much larger group of consumers that aren’t cutting out alcohol entirely, but cutting back — known as the “sober curious,” said Gregoire. “When you’re trying to grow your brand with younger consumers, who are the...

Search for answers underway in Sault Ste. Marie shooting rampage that left five dead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:21 GMT

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. — Investigators are working to piece together what led a man to kill four people – including three children – before turning a gun on himself in the northern Ontario city of Sault Ste. Marie. Police have called what happened a case of intimate partner violence and have not released the identities of those involved. Chief Hugh Stevenson has said police got a domestic violence call from one of two homes involved in the gunman’s rampage a day before the shootings took place. Stevenson has not released further details but has said the shooter was involved in intimate partner investigations in the past. Police have said the shooter first broke into a home on Monday night and killed a 41-year-old woman before heading to a second home and killing three children – aged six, seven and 12 – and shooting another woman, aged 45, who survived.   The 44-year-old shooter was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot.Residents in Sault Ste. Marie have said they are devasta...

Pakistan sets up deportation centers to hold migrants who are in the country illegally

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:21 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan is setting up deportation centers for migrants who are in the country illegally, including an estimated 1.7 million Afghans, officials said Thursday. Anyone found staying in the country without authorization from next Wednesday will be arrested and sent to one of centers. The move is the latest development in a Pakistani government crackdown to expel foreigners without registration or documents.Jan Achakzai, a spokesman for the government in southwestern Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, said three deportation centers were being set up there. One will be in Quetta, the provincial capital.Azam Khan, the caretaker chief minister for northwest Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said the region also would have three deportation centers. More than 60,000 Afghans have returned home since the crackdown was announced, he said. Migrants who are living in the country illegally should leave before a Tuesday deadline to avoid arrest, he said. Pakistan&#...

Flash flood risk Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- While many of us stay dry, we're continuing to watch an area of heavy rain moving through the Hill Country.That widespread rain will slowly move eastward bringing a level 3 out of 4 flash flooding risk to the Hill Country and northwest Austin Metro overnight and into early Thursday. If you're driving overnight, be extra careful and "turn around, don't drown" if you encounter a flooded road. While 1-3 inches of rain will be widespread west of I-35 Wednesday night, localized 4-6"+ rainfall amounts could cause problems.Flash Flood Threat Wednesday night (WPC)NEW: The National Weather Service has expanded the timing and area of the Flood Watch to include ALL of the Austin Metro Counties. The Flood Watch now continues into early Thursday afternoon.Flood Watch until 1 p.m. ThursdayThe rain will continue its eastward movement and approach I-35 during the Thursday morning commute before moving into our eastern counties by late morning. Live, updated rain totals During the...

Taylor ISD names finalist for superintendent

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:21 GMT

TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -– The Taylor Independent School District Board of Trustees named their lone finalist for superintendent on Tuesday night.Dr. Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen will start Nov. 13, the district announced. She was Chief of Schools at New Braunfels ISD, Deputy Academic Officer at Hays CISD and a teacher, assistant principal and principal in Del Valle ISD. “We believe Dr. Garcia-Edwardsen’s strong instructional leadership and high expectations will help every student achieve their unique potential. We are excited for the future of our district and community,” Taylor ISD President Marco Ortiz said in the district statement. Dr. Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen (Courtesy: Taylor ISD) “I am truly thrilled and profoundly thankful for the opportunity to serve the Taylor ISD community. Our family is enthusiastic about growing alongside Taylor as we embark on growth and development in the area,” said Garcia-Edwardsen in the statement.The district said it chose Garcia-Edwardsen from a na...

Packaging: New EU rules to reduce, reuse and recycle  

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:21 GMT

The Environment Committee adopted its proposals to make packaging easier to reuse and recycle, to reduce unnecessary packaging and waste, and to promote the use of recycled content.MEPs in the Environment Committee adopted their position on a proposed regulation establishing requirements for the entire packaging life cycle, from raw materials to final disposal, by 56 votes in favour, 23 against and five abstentions.MEPs want to ban the sale of very light weight plastic carrier bags (below 15 microns), unless required for hygiene reasons or provided as primary packaging for loose food to help prevent food wastage.Besides the overall packaging reduction targets proposed in the regulation, MEPs want to set specific waste reduction targets for plastic packaging (10% by 2030, 15% by 2035 and 20% by 2040). The plastic part in packaging would need to contain minimum percentages of recycled content depending on the type of packaging, with specific targets set for 2030 and 2040.By the end of...

Harriette Cole: They think I’m lying about my mental health issues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:21 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m a 17-year-old high school student. I have been struggling with mental health issues for some time now.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: Should I tell this man why I won’t get serious about him? Advice | Harriette Cole: I’ve been extremely on edge, and I need a quiet solution Advice | Harriette Cole: My best friend asked to date my crush, and I don’t know what to say Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m not cut out for this class, and the professor isn’t making it any easier Advice | Harriette Cole: She came to my photoshoot, and I’m sure she made a bad impression Unfortunately, my parents do not seem to believe that I am struggling. They accuse me of exaggerating and even outright lying about my feelings.I understand that it can be hard for someone who hasn’t experienced these challenges themselves to understand, but it is extremely frust...

At least 22 people dead and ‘person of interest’ sought after shootings in Lewiston, Maine, officials say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:21 GMT

(CNN) — At least 22 people are dead and dozens are injured following two shootings Wednesday night at a bowling alley and a restaurant in Lewiston, Maine, and an intensive manhunt is underway for a person of interest, officials say.Robert Card, 40, of Bowdoin, is a person of interest and should be considered armed and dangerous, Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said.Law enforcement officials in Maine tell CNN that Card is a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserve. Card had recently made threats to carry out a shooting at a National Guard facility in Saco, Maine, and also reported mental health issues, including hearing voices, the officials said.During a news conference Wednesday night, Sauschuck declined to provide further information about Card. “We’re not prepared to go into (Card’s) background,” he said.At least 22 people were killed, Lewiston City Councilor Robert McCarthy told C...

Miss Manners: I don’t find it adorable what she has trained her dog to do

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:21 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend has a small dog. Though well-loved and generally well-behaved, he barks when anyone arrives, not stopping until someone gives him a treat.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: We’re afraid they’ll try to raid the house after the funeral Advice | Miss Manners: I want to abandon this ‘Mom’ business after my mother-in-law’s bad behavior Advice | Miss Manners: The bride’s dress code for wedding guests strikes me as pretentious Advice | Miss Manners: I tried to take the edge off her short-notice cancellation, and she blew up at me Advice | Miss Manners: A stranger sent a letter blasting me. Must I respond? The hostess keeps treats at the door and hands them to guests upon arrival. I gather many find this adorable. I don’t. The barking hurts my ears. Moreover, because I worked to train my own troubled rescue dog, I know rewards reinforce be...