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93-year-old woman and grandson complete journey to all 63 US national parks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:53 GMT

(CNN) — Brad Ryan and his grandmother Joy Ryan set out on a journey to visit all 63 national parks seven and a half years ago. Late last month, they completed their goal when they arrived at the National Park of American Samoa.“The National Park of American Samoa is the only U.S. national park south of the equator and our most remote park,” Ryan posted on the Grandma Joy’s Road Trip Instagram page created to document their travels. “It was a long road to get here, but we couldn’t have chosen a more epic place to conclude this epic chapter of Grandma Joy’s Road Trip!”The two received certificates and a number of other gifts from the National Park Service, commemorating their 63-national park achievement.“We defied erroneous assumptions about the limitations of aging. We defied financial and logistical constraints,” said Brad Ryan, who is 41, noting that his 93-year-old grandmother made history as the oldest living person to visit every US National Park.“Seven and a half yea...

Crowd gathers for 130th annual Firefighters Memorial ceremony in Boston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:53 GMT

A crowd gathered at Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston on Sunday for the 130th annual Firefighters Memorial Sunday. The procession drew dozens of firefighters, fire officials, and their families. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and City Councilor Michael Flaherty were also on hand.Massachusetts honors all firefighters on the second Sunday in June.

Community rallying to support Newton farm after hundreds of plants stolen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:53 GMT

The Newton community is rallying together to support a local farm after hundreds of plants were stolen sometime overnight Friday.Newton Community Farm shared photos of the theft on social media. They say basil, scallions, eggplants, and cucumbers were taken in the theft.In the days since the theft, Susan Bottino, who works for the farm says residents have stepped up.“Some things we just won’t have for purchase or for donations,” Bottino said. “When people heard about what happened to us they wanted to help and we’ve been receiving an outpouring of support, both messages and donations on our website.”Bottino also said other area farms have offered to pitch in by donating seedlings.For more information about the farm, visit its website.

‘Heartbreaker’: Chicago White Sox can’t hold 9th-inning lead for a 2nd straight day, falling 6-5

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:53 GMT

For the second consecutive game, the Chicago White Sox were three outs away from a win.And for the second straight day, the usually reliable bullpen couldn’t hold the lead.The Miami Marlins scored three in the ninth against reliever Kendall Graveman to beat the Sox 6-5 in front of 20,888 on Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field.“This one hurts,” Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. “Heartbreaker.”Saturday, the Marlins scored five in the ninth to turn a one-run deficit into a four-run lead and beat the Sox 5-1.The Sox built a 5-1 lead Sunday behind seven strong innings from Lucas Giolito (one run on six hits and eight strikeouts) and big hits by Romy Gonzalez (two-run double in the sixth) and Luis Robert Jr. (two-run homer in the seventh).Keynan Middleton entered in the eighth with a 14-game scoreless streak. The right-hander surrendered solo home runs to Jorge Soler (his second of the game) and Garrett Cooper as the Marlins cut the Sox lead to 5-3.Jean Segura homer...

Charlestown trumpets Bunker Hill Day with annual parade

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:53 GMT

Bostonians showed out for a beautiful, warm Bunker Hill Day Parade early Sunday afternoon, remembering the historic day with rounds of marching bands, costumed paraders and community support.“I like the bands and the music,” said 10-year-old Charlestown native Jessie Grey thoughtfully, standing with her family and clutching a flag at her second Bunker Hill Parade. “And the candy.”The parade, held annually in Charlestown since the 1800s, kicked off at 12:30 p.m. at the intersection of Vine and Bunker Hill Streets and wound around to Winthrop Street by the Charlestown Militia Training Field.The day celebrates the Battle Bunker Hill, also known as the Battle of Breed’s Hill, during the Revolutionary War, a key point — though a loss — for the American troops. The parade “traces its roots to the earliest commemorations of the 1775 battle and celebrations of the Charlestown community after the town was rebuilt,” according to the Nation...

Massachusetts shouldn’t have wildfire smoke impacts this week, it will ‘feel like summer’ with warm temps and thunderstorms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:53 GMT

After the haze and smoke took over the region last week, the Bay State should not see the impacts from the Canadian wildfires this week as it’s expected to “feel like summer” with warm temperatures and thunderstorms.The smoke from the wildfires dissipated across Massachusetts by the weekend, and it doesn’t appear that the poor air quality will return this week.“It’s not looking like it will be similar to last week,” Bill Leatham, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office, told the Herald on Sunday.He noted the major change in the wind pattern, which is why the smoke won’t come back to the Bay State, at least for the week ahead.Meanwhile, temps for much of the week should be seasonable in the upper 70s and around 80 degrees, and the weather pattern is expected to turn unsettled again with the risk of showers each day.“It should feel like summer this week,” Leatham said. “While it will be warme...

Boston Latin stays unbeaten

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:53 GMT

After holding off a gritty Winchester team 3-2 in Sunday’s quarterfinal showdown, Boston Latin girls’ tennis coach Paulanne Wilson had to think for a moment to remember the last time the Wolfpack had advanced deep into the Div. 1 tournament.“It’s been a while since we’ve gotten to the quarters, but we lost, so this is a big thing for us,” said Wilson of her top-seeded, unbeaten (19-0) squad. “We knew this was going to happen. I mean, you don’t take anything for granted. I knew they were coming and they meant business. They’ve been here before a lot of times. When you get to this point either you win or you lose.”The afternoon was certainly a dramatic one as the 9th-seeded Red & Black (16-4) tried to extend its season. Winchester’s Daryana Skobeleva and the second doubles squad of Sophie Kim and Andrea Bilic were victorious matches, tying the contest at 2-2 with Latin’s Vanessa Vu locked in a three-hour match...

Methuen ousts Central Catholic in 4-2 win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:53 GMT

Cam Roper stood in amazement while his star Matt Pappalardo could only smile ear to ear. Methuen’s dream tournament run includes a final four.Pappalardo threw six innings of two-run ball while also belting the go-ahead RBI triple as No. 21 Methuen advanced to the Div. 1 state semifinals with a stunning, 4-2 win over No. 4 Central Catholic on Sunday afternoon at Haverhill Stadium.Methuen, which has won three straight road games, will take on No. 1 Franklin for a spot in the state final.“I haven’t slept in two weeks,” said Roper, the Rangers head coach. “Look at our guys. Cinderella. Snow White. Call us whatever you want. We’re a hell of a baseball team.”The highly anticipated matchup between Merrimack Valley Conference foes entered the sixth deadlocked 2-2. Methuen, however, jumped in front. Owen Kneeland led off the top of the frame with a single, setting up an opportunity for Pappalardo. The Rangers’ best hitter blasted a triple to de...

Motorcyclist dies after fleeing from Barnstable Police, crashes into a vehicle in Hyannis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:53 GMT

A motorcyclist died after speeding away from a Barnstable Police officer, crashing into a vehicle Sunday afternoon in Hyannis, according to police.The Barnstable Police Department patrol officer at around 1:41 p.m. tried to pull over the motorcyclist for a traffic violation on Route 28, near Garden Lane in Hyannis.The motorcyclist didn’t stop for the officer and fled north onto Bearses Way, police said. Moments later, the motorcyclist crashed into a vehicle on Bearses Way near Enterprise Road.The motorcyclist was transported to Cape Cod Hospital by a Hyannis Fire Department ambulance, where he was pronounced dead.The operator of the vehicle struck by the fleeing motorcycle sustained minor injuries in the accident.The crash is being investigated by the Cape Cod Regional Law Enforcement Council Crash Reconstruction Team.

Burlington rallies late, earns berth in Div. 2 state softball semifinals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:53 GMT

BURLINGTON — Ahead of her team’s softball game with North Attleboro on Sunday, Burlington coach Kristen Farrell had a feeling it was going to come down be a one-run decision.Farrell’s feeling proved to be right on the money. Her Red Devils seized the one chance they got against Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year Kelly Colleran.Burlington took advantage of the only two walks Colleran issued to plate a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. Red Devils ace Cece Imbimbo did the rest as she struck out 13 to lead her team to the Div. 2 semifinals with a 2-1 win at Marvin Field. The Red Devils (19-4) move on to face top-seeded Westfield in the semifinals.“You just knew it was going to come down to a run with how the pitching was and it wasn’t going to be easy to push them across,” Farrell said.After striking out 11 times and being held to one hit through five by Colleran, it looked like the Red Devils were in trouble. But when Imbimbo walked to begin the bottom of the sixth, the d...