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Vessel strike, malnutrition likely killed whale that spent 75 days in San Francisco Bay

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

By Kiley Russell | Bay City NewsA gray whale that died after spending at least 75 days in the San Francisco Bay was likely killed by a combination of malnutrition and trauma caused by a collision with a maritime vessel, according to officials from the Marine Mammal Center.The adult male whale was found dead a mile offshore last Saturday before washing up on North Beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore the next day.A necropsy performed by a team of 11 scientists from the Marine Mammal Center and the California Academy of Sciences shows the 39-foot whale was emaciated at the time of death.It also shows that the animal was likely hit by two ships or large boats in separate collisions based on the presence of a large, slowly healing, older scar on its back, sea lice on the wound, multiple rib and spinal fractures under the scar, as well as more recent skull fractures, hemorrhaging and muscle damage to the area where the head connects to the body, according to Marine Mammal Center of...

Attempted gas theft at East Bay BART parking lot ignites dire destroying 6 vehicles

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

By Tony Hicks | Bay City NewsIn an apparent gasoline theft gone very wrong, six cars were destroyed in an Antioch BART parking lot Thursday after someone took an electric drill to punch a hole in the first vehicle’s gas tank, a Contra Costa County Fire Protection District spokesman said.The drill apparently created sparks, which don’t mix well with gasoline. The result was leaking, burning gasoline traveling down the slight slope of the parking lot to catch five other vehicles on fire.Fire district spokesperson Steve Hill said firefighters were on scene four minutes after calls came in at 2:02 p.m. Thursday.By then, two cars were engulfed in flames and four more were on their way to being destroyed in the eBART parking lot, adjacent to Slatten Ranch Road.Investigators found the electric drill at the site. The suspect was gone by then.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | K-9 ‘Blaze’ safely locates missing East Bay boy with special needs Cr...

Join Us for Exciting Upcoming Events!

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

Sponsored ContentAs the warm sunshine and coastal breeze welcome us into the heart of spring, we are thrilled to announce a series of upcoming events that will make your time here even more memorable. From breathtaking natural wonders to lively festivals, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Mark your calendars, invite your friends and family, and get ready to embrace the excitement that awaits!The 37th Annual Classic Car Show at Pismo BeachEach year, The Classic at Pismo Beach attracts people and cars from all over the United States, with some coming from as far away as Alaska and even Australia. The show happens the first weekend in June, is open to all makes and models of cars, and is free to the public. Please join us June 2-4 here in Pismo for good times and classic rides.For more information visit: experiencepismobeach.com Open Gates at the Chapman EstateCome out and explore all that the Historic Chapman Estate has to offer from April-October. Open Gates is open to t...

Are fentanyl test strips the answer to stopping more deadly overdoses

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

This article is part of the WTOP series, “Facing Down Fentanyl: Teens Confront Drug Danger.”This May 10, 2018 photo shows an arrangement of fentanyl test strips in New York. Sales of fentanyl test strips have exploded as a growing number of overdose-prevention programs hand them out to people who use illicit drugs. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)In the fight against fentanyl, harm reduction for those who use the drug is also an important part of the equation, experts say. Harm reduction puts a focus on reducing some safety and health issues that come with illegal drug use.One tool to make sure people using illicit drugs are not unknowingly consuming fentanyl is by providing fentanyl test strips, or FTS. The test strips allow someone to test a pill for the presence of fentanyl.The strips are becoming more available as states begin removing them from lists of known “drug paraphernalia.”In Maryland and Virginia, the test strips are legal, and in D.C. they have been decriminalized.One Bethesda...

Schmitt leads Giants against the Diamondbacks following 4-hit performance

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

San Francisco Giants (17-20, fourth in the NL West) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (20-18, second in the NL West)Phoenix; Friday, 9:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Ross Stripling (0-2, 6.66 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 22 strikeouts); Diamondbacks: Ryne Nelson (1-2, 6.00 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 22 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -118, Diamondbacks -102; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants take on the Arizona Diamondbacks after Casey Schmitt’s four-hit game on Thursday.Arizona is 20-18 overall and 11-10 in home games. Diamondbacks hitters have a collective .330 on-base percentage, the third-ranked percentage in the NL.San Francisco has a 7-10 record in road games and a 17-20 record overall. The Giants are 7-17 in games when they have given up at least one home run.Friday’s game is the second meeting between these teams this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Walker has nine home runs, nine walks and 28 RBI while hitting .275 for the Diamondbacks. Domini...

Review: Amazon series ‘The Power’ drops season finale in electrifying mosaic of literal ‘girl power’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley reviews 'The Power' on Amazon Prime Video $(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); }); }); In 2016, readers were riveted by Naomi Alderman’s bestselling sci-fi novel “The Power.”Now, it’s a captivating TV drama that wraps up its first season this Friday on Amazon Prime Video.The series is set in our world but with one important sci-fi twist. On a seemingly ordinary day, young wo...

Dodgers host the Padres to begin 3-game series

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

San Diego Padres (19-19, third in the NL West) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (23-15, first in the NL West)Los Angeles; Friday, 10:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Blake Snell (1-5, 5.14 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 39 strikeouts); Dodgers: Dustin May (4-1, 2.68 ERA, .94 WHIP, 29 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -144, Padres +123; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers host the San Diego Padres to open a three-game series.Los Angeles has a 12-6 record at home and a 23-15 record overall. The Dodgers have a 16-3 record in games when they record at least eight hits.San Diego has gone 9-8 on the road and 19-19 overall. The Padres are 15-2 in games when they scored at least five runs.The matchup Friday is the fourth time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Freddie Freeman has six home runs, 18 walks and 17 RBI while hitting .296 for the Dodgers. Will Smith is 12-for-36 with three doubles, three home runs and seven RBI over the last 10 games.Xander Bogaerts...

Marlins begin 3-game series with the Reds

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

Cincinnati Reds (16-21, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Miami Marlins (19-19, second in the NL East)Miami; Friday, 6:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Graham Ashcraft (2-1, 3.82 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 30 strikeouts); Marlins: Eury Perez (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Marlins -145, Reds +123; over/under is 7 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday to open a three-game series.Miami is 10-9 in home games and 19-19 overall. The Marlins have the 10th-ranked team ERA in the NL at 4.58.Cincinnati has a 16-21 record overall and a 4-12 record in road games. The Reds have the ninth-ranked team batting average in the NL at .245.The matchup Friday is the first meeting this season between the two teams.TOP PERFORMERS: Jorge Soler leads the Marlins with 18 extra base hits (nine doubles and nine home runs). Jesus Sanchez is 14-for-35 with seven doubles, two home runs and nine RBI over the last 10 games.TJ Friedl has five doubles, three triples, three home runs and 18...

Nationals host the Mets, try to extend home win streak

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

New York Mets (18-20, fourth in the NL East) vs. Washington Nationals (16-21, fifth in the NL East)Washington; Friday, 7:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: Tylor Megill (3-2, 4.33 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 27 strikeouts); Nationals: MacKenzie Gore (3-2, 3.65 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 48 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Mets -131, Nationals +111; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals host the New York Mets trying to continue a three-game home winning streak.Washington has gone 6-12 in home games and 16-21 overall. The Nationals have the fifth-ranked team batting average in the NL at .259.New York is 11-12 in road games and 18-20 overall. The Mets have gone 10-19 in games when they have allowed at least one home run.Friday’s game is the fourth time these teams meet this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Joey Meneses has a .288 batting average to lead the Nationals, and has seven doubles and two home runs. Luis Garcia is 14-for-40 with a home run and three RBI over the past 10 game...

Phillies bring 3-game win streak into matchup with the Rockies

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

Philadelphia Phillies (18-19, third in the NL East) vs. Colorado Rockies (16-22, fifth in the NL West)Denver; Friday, 8:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Taijuan Walker (3-2, 5.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 35 strikeouts); Rockies: Austin Gomber (3-4, 6.75 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 22 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -147, Rockies +126; over/under is 11 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies will attempt to prolong a three-game win streak with a victory over the Colorado Rockies.Colorado has a 7-9 record at home and a 16-22 record overall. The Rockies are 12-1 in games when they did not give up a home run.Philadelphia is 7-12 on the road and 18-19 overall. The Phillies have the eighth-ranked team on-base percentage in the NL at .323.Friday’s game is the fifth time these teams meet this season. The Phillies are up 3-1 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Elias Diaz has six doubles, three home runs and 18 RBI for the Rockies. Ezequiel Tovar is 10-for-37 with four doubl...