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Castroville vs. Coachella: Battle heats up to grow the perfect California artichoke

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

CASTROVILLE – Quietly, over the last two decades, the beloved California artichoke has undergone a radical transformation.It’s not always easy to see from the outside – a studied eye can spot it – but an ambitious program to produce high-yielding, year-round artichokes has altered the flavor, color, texture and even the shape of them.This revolution has uprooted thousands of acres of heirloom artichokes across Castroville — the “Artichoke Center of the World” — and replaced them with hybrids. Now, it’s pitting technology against tradition and playing out at farm stands and on dinner tables across the country.The new varieties are cheaper to grow, have a longer shelf life and resist diseases, said Steven Fennimore, a UC Davis plant science professor.But what about flavor?“You can argue about taste all day,” he said, “but I won’t get into that.”A annual variety of artichoke at Ocean Mist Farms, left, and an heirloom perennial artichoke at Pezzini Farms in...

Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame: 49ers’ Patrick Willis adds another honor on path to Canton

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Mike Singletary’s passionate speech came to an impactful pause while he described Patrick Willis, a former star 49ers linebacker Singletary helped groom.Willis was taking a rightful spot amid Thursday night’s Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame enshrinement, and Singletary’s thoughts drifted toward the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.“I thought for sure he’d be in the (Pro Football) Hall of Fame this year. There’s no reason why … I won’t even go there,” Singletary said with a sigh to the audience of nearly 1,000 at a downtown San Francisco hotel.Asked during the ceremony to expand on that, Singletary succinctly answered that Willis should have been a first-ballot entrant to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, five years after Willis’ award-laden 49ers career ended due to toe injuries.Lee Posey, 11, left, shakes hands with Patrick Willis while standing with his father Buster Posey during media interviews before the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame ceremony at ...

State Farm no longer offering home insurance in California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

(The Hill) – State Farm will no longer offer home and property insurance to new customers in California starting Saturday, the company said in a press release.The insurance company pointed to “historic increases in construction costs outpacing inflation, rapidly growing catastrophe exposure, and a challenging reinsurance market” for its decision, making particular note of the risk posed by the state’s frequent wildfires.“We take seriously our responsibility to manage risk,” State Farm said. “We recognize the Governor’s administration, legislators, and the California Department of Insurance (CDI) for their wildfire loss mitigation efforts.“However, it’s necessary to take these actions now to improve the company’s financial strength,” it added.State Farm said that it will continue to serve existing customers in the state and that personal auto insurance would not be impacted.There were 7,490 wildfires in California in 2022 that burned more than 360,000 acres, which Cal Fire described ...

Shenandoah adds 1,000-acre Tanners Ridge woodlands, Naked Creek to its park land

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Luke Lukert reports on the addition of Tanners Ridge to Shenandoah National Park. $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); Shenandoah National Park is one of many historic areas of Virginia. (Courtesy National Park Service)Shenandoah National Park in Virginia will be about 1,000 acres bigger on your next visit.The park officially added the Tanners Ridge land area in Page County and the waters of Naked Creek...

3 boats catch on fire at Columbia Island Marina overnight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

Three boats were damaged by a fire at Columbia Island Marina early Sunday, according to D.C.-area officials.D.C. Fire and EMS officials said they received a call at around 12:30 a.m. about a fire at the marina.Update Columbia Island Marina. 3 vessels well involved. DC Fireboats working in unified command with @ArlingtonVaFD land units have extinguished all visible fire. No injuries reported. #DCsBravest pic.twitter.com/xskmFhgDB1— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) May 28, 2023D.C. firefighters worked with Arlington’s fire department to extinguish the flames before it spread to any other boats.There were no injuries, according to fire officials.Foam was used to put out the fire which was a result of flammable liquid burning on the surface of the water.Authorities did not say exactly what started the fire, the cost of the damage involved or if the boats had any occupants when the fire started.Source

More businesses require teens to be chaperoned by adults, curbing their independence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

PARAMUS, N.J. (AP) — Jennifer Sepulveda used to drop off her 14-year-old son, Jorden, at the local mall on a Friday or Saturday night, where he would catch a movie with his friends and then hang out afterwards at the food court or elsewhere.Not anymore. Starting April 18, Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey — the second largest mall in the state — is requiring anyone under 18 years old to be accompanied by a chaperone at least 21 or older on Fridays and Saturdays after 5 p.m. The move, according to the mall, follows “an increase in disruptive behavior by a small minority of younger visitors.” That included a reported brawl in the food court last year and a fight in March that brought swarms of policemen to the center but ended up being a smaller altercation than initially reported.Sepulveda of Passaic, New Jersey said she was fine with the new policy.“On Friday and Saturdays, it’s just been a madhouse,” she said on a recent Friday night while shopping for Mother...

Nintendo mural brightens up Hagerstown street

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Just to the side of South Cannon Avenue in Hagerstown, a little ways down from the Sheetz on East Washington Street, sits a garage.The rectangular garage has a charcoal gray-colored roof.Recently, it has begun to attract attention, not because it is a garage, but rather because of what is painted on its side: A mural portraying various Nintendo characters from the Mario video game and movie franchises. Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Toad, Koopa Troopa. They’re all there.Clayton Marquiss, who owns the house with the small garage, commissioned the mural.Understanding South Cannon’s history of hosting some of Hagerstown’s homeless population, Marquiss wanted to brighten up the area and recognized the need to bolster the city’s art scene.“I think (Hagerstown’s) kind of lacking in that department in many areas compared to other local towns near us,” Marquiss said. “I like Mario and I like the characters on it and I also like how much color was in...

From tragedy, the love of a mom: ‘Socks for Lil Eddie’ tribute to son

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

CULPEPER, Va. (AP) — Eddie Servance III lived life to experience life.The Eastern View High School graduate was known for his signature long dreads, tie-dye tees and crazy socks.“He was my earth, fire, water, wind child—that cool vibe, a beautiful spirit,” said his mother—author, minister and advocate K.D. Brown.Holidays growing up in Culpeper, you never knew what collection of friends would show up. Brown still receives messages from one of her son’s friends, all the way in Pakistan, and Eddie is never far from her mind.Her middle child of three sons was all about helping people, and like his mother, was an advocate for abuse survivors. Brown described Eddie as a free spirit, always giving the “hang 10” sign—it’s surfing time, somewhere!“He was all about everything,” she said.Eddie was a photographer who climbed the highest mountains and did yoga on the prettiest beaches, his mother said. His favorite color was purple and he loved sunflowers.“Always working to get his next plane, t...

Denver weather: More storm chances this Memorial Day weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver’s weather will stay in a pattern of morning sunshine followed by afternoon clouds and thunderstorms through Memorial Day weekend.Weather today: Sunny start, a few afternoon stormsMuch like Saturday, Sunday will start with sunshine and warm to the upper 70s.As temperatures climb, clouds will build in and followed by some afternoon and evening thunderstorms. The risk for thunderstorms becoming strong to severe will move east, with the greatest risk in southeastern Colorado. The main impacts are hail, gusty winds, lightning, and heavy rain. Looking ahead: More afternoon thunderstorms through the weekMemorial Day will follow this similar trend but the threat for strong to severe storms is lower on Monday. However, remember “when thunder roars, go indoors!”This pattern continues all the way through the week and next weekend.

Local liquor stores hurting after bill allows wine to be sold in grocery stores

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Local liquor stores say their sales are down and they're feeling the impact of Proposition 125.The bill, which went into effect in early March, allowed for grocery stores to sell wine. And since, liquor stores have been feeling the effects, similar to when full-strength beer was first allowed in grocery stores in Colorado.Joy's Wine and Spirits owner Carolyn Joy believes voters only thought of convenience, but not how much it would impact the independently owned liquor and wine stores. The liquor store has been in her family since 1963 and she said they've never seen a hit like this. Grocery, convenience stores prepare to sell wine on March 1 "The majority of our business is wine and so the impact of this is greater than any other event since I’ve been here," she said. Similarly, Jason Frank owns Crafty’s Wine and Liquor in Aurora, which was targeted by two robberies recently, losing $7,000 in product. He said his wine sales are down 15-20% and, trending worse ea...