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Why does (most of) Canada suck at building transit?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:42 GMT

By now you might be familiar with the long, sad story of the Ottawa LRT—which just returned from being totally shut down for a month. But that project is far from the only large Canadian transit project to run into delays, mistakes, errors, sky-high budgets and everything else that can turn an ambitious idea into a headache.Reece Martin is a former transportation planner and the creator of the RM Transit YouTube channel and substack. He says that mistakes can often stem from a lack of institutional knowledge on how to properly build transit. “These are extremely complicated projects, and you want to get the details right, and when you don’t, you have an Ottawa LRT situation,” says Martin.So, why does it seem so difficult to get new transit built in Canada? Are we really awful at building this stuff, or do we just love to complain about our infrastructure?You can subscribe to The Big Story podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spotify.You can also find it at thebigstorypodcast.ca.

D-Box Technologies launches strategic alternatives review

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:42 GMT

MONTREAL — D-Box Technologies Inc. says it has launched a review of strategic alternatives.The company, which makes movie theatre seats that move audience members with the action on the screen, says it has held talks in the last few months with a number of parties.A strategic review by a company is often a prelude to a sale or other transaction.D-Box says it has not set a timetable to complete the review process and no decisions have been made relating to strategic alternatives at this time. It says there can be no assurance that the review will result in a transaction.D-Box chair Denis Chamberland says the board of directors is committed to evaluating the strategic alternatives while supporting management as they work to strengthen company’s leadership position in the theatrical market and grow its business.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 16, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:DBO)The Canadian Press

Bond set at $5M for 16-year-old accused in fatal shooting of teen in Highland Park

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:42 GMT

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — Bond is set at $5 million for the 16-year-old boy charged in the fatal shooting of another teen in Highland Park.Estiven Sarminento is being charged as an adult with two counts of first-degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Omar Diaz.On Sunday, police responded to the 2300 block of Green Bay Road to a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located Diaz and transported him to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.Police said preliminary investigation shows Diaz walking down the sidewalk when he was approached by Sarminento. The two engaged in a brief conversation before Sarminento shot and killed Diaz.   16-year-old suspect arrested, charged with murder after 16-year-old killed in shooting in Highland Park According to information collected by the police during their investigation, Sarminento was an acquaintance of Diaz and there was an ongoing dispute between the two before the shooting occurred.His next court date is on August 23.

Taylor Swift fan with cancer who was discharged just in time for show has died

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:42 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Earlier this year, Tessa Wiseman was ecstatic for Taylor Swift to come to Tampa for her "Eras Tour." So much so that Wiseman and her healthcare team at Moffitt Cancer Center made it their mission to get her well enough to attend the star's April 15 concert. Wiseman, who grew up in Tampa, fell ill earlier this year. Ahead of Swift's concert, Wiseman's family told Nexstar's WFLA that she was rushed to the hospital in early May after developing a life-threatening infection following chemotherapy treatment. Taylor Swift now has more No. 1 albums than any woman in history Wiseman and her team of doctors never gave up, and she recovered from sepsis just in time to see Swift take the stage. However, her family said her battle with cancer was far from over. Wiseman was previously scheduled to undergo a liver transplant in February, but it was canceled mid-surgery after doctors with the Mayo Clinic discovered her cancer had progressed. At the time of the concert, Wis...

Dean's Home Video: 'Killing It,' 'Reinventing Elvis,' & more

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:42 GMT

CHICAGO — A native of Chicago is going into his second season of a unique show while a new documentary is out on the "King of Rock and Roll.""Killing it" season two with Craig Robinson, a Whitney Young High School, Illinois State, and St. Xavier graduate, is set to premiere on Peacock on Thursday while "Reinventing Elvis," which explores his famous 1968 comeback special, is out now on Paramount+.Dean Richards previewed these new streaming options on his edition of "Dean's Home Video" on Wednesday's WGN Morning News. Along with those programs, he also talked about "Harlan Coben's Shelter," season four of "Solar Opposites," season 4 of "The Upshaws," "Miguel Wants to Fight," "Depp v. Heard," and more during the segment.You can watch this edition of "Dean's Home Video" from the August 16 WGN Morning News in the video above.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Lockhart encourages water conservation as city inches closer to Stage Two restrictions

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:42 GMT

LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Lockhart asked water customers to conserve Monday because the city was moving closer to Stage Two water restrictions. It blamed a rising increase in water usage over the weekend of Aug. 12-13. According to the city, Stage Two occurs when total daily demand equals or exceeds 2.4 million gallons per day (mgd) for three consecutive days. Lockhart said, on average, Lockhart residents used 1.5 million gallons per day (mgd) in 2022.The city said Stage Two restrictions include:Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an EVEN number (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) and Saturdays and Wednesdays for customers with a street address ending in an ODD number (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) from midnight to 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight. NOTE: Watering of landscaped areas is permitted anytime if it is by means of a hand-held hose, faucet-filled bucket, drip ir...

Texas State Fair launches new rules for minors and adults

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:42 GMT

DALLAS (KXAN) – The State Fair of Texas said it will implement a safety policy for minors who visit the 2023 Fair. According to the Aug. 8 announcement, everyone 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone (21+) when entering the Fair after 5 p.m. everyday during the fair. The fair said parents, guardians or chaperones may accompany no more than six minors 17 years of age and under. The State Fair will require all accompanying parents, guardians, and chaperones (21+) to present a valid ID upon entry starting at 5 p.m. daily, according to the announcement. Once inside the fairgrounds, the fair said parents, guardians or chaperones are not required to remain with the minors; however, the State Fair encourages that they stay in communication with each other and be aware of their location on the fairgrounds during their visit. “Comparable policies are being instated industry-wide, and the State Fair of Texas believes this policy is the best course of action to e...

Round Rock Express ambassador finding regained confidence after football injury

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:42 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Ginger Richardson has been with the Round Rock Express since the team's inception in 2000. She's seen and worked with a lot of other ambassadors, but her relationship with Jay Favors is a fun one."I enjoy his companionship," said Richardson. "I enjoy seeing him have fun. And I enjoy seeing him help other people have fun."MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters"That's my partner in crime, I like to say," said Favors about Richardson. "We do everything together ... when the fans come in we greet everyone."Favors is a graduate of Stony Point High School where he played football. On the shorter side, Favors liked a challenge and didn't back down on the gridiron.The one fear Favors had playing was breaking his neck. Having read a book in eighth grade on Eric LeGrand, a Rutgers football player who was paralyzed from a football injury, Favors said he that ...

Recipe: Peach cobbler as you’ve never seen it

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:42 GMT

Whether it’s a fancy apple tarte Tatin, a robust pineapple-ringed upside-down cake or a saucy flan, there’s something thrilling and suspenseful about turning your homemade dessert on its head.Any of these acrobatic dishes would taste fine served right-side up from the pan. But it’s that stunning reveal that adds a little drama and puts the fruit right on top, where it can shine.That’s the inspiration behind this upside-down peach cobbler.In traditional peach cobbler, you mix peaches with sugar and sometimes butter, hide them with rounds of biscuit dough, and bake. Spooned out of the baking dish and served in bowls, the cobbler’s modest simplicity is part of its charm. But, however delicious this might be, it doesn’t do much to show off the peaches.Throw in a gilding of caramel and an elegant flip, though, and you’ve got a confection to win oohs and aahs.Most of the effort of this recipe goes into simmering the caramel, which is what makes this truly special. Caramelizing sugar deepe...

Cohoes Artist Showcase coming Friday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:42 GMT

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Looking to get out and support artists across the Capital Region? The Cohoes Artist Showcase will feature works from artists of Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. at 60 Remsen Street. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The showcase will continue again on Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. An artist's reception will take place Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. as well.