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Ask Amy: Elderly mother is caught in an anxious cycle

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:56 GMT

Dear Amy: My mother raised eight children. She is now in her late-70s, and lives alone.Recently she received a cancer diagnosis and we have been taking turns getting her to appointments and helping with errands, chores, meals, etc.We are happy to help, and tell her so.My problem is that she gets very emotional and constantly apologizes to us, saying variations of: “Children should never have to care for their mother” and stating that she is “a burden” to us.Constant reassurance from us is not helping.How can we help her to understand that we want to help, and are happy to do so?She spent many years caring for her own mother at the end of my grandmother’s life, so I’m not sure if that is part of it or not.What do you think?— Feeling HelplessDear Helpless: I suspect that your mother’s lengthy experience taking care of her own mother probably is a factor informing her emotional response now.People seldom talk about this, but for some, caregivin...

Durham report on Trump-Russia investigation: What led to it and what happens next

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:56 GMT

By ERIC TUCKER (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — An investigation into the origins of the FBI’s probe into ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign has finally been concluded, with prosecutor John Durham submitting a much-awaited report that found major flaws.The report, the culmination of a four-year investigation into possible misconduct by U.S. government officials, contained withering criticism of the FBI but few significant revelations. Nonetheless, it will give fodder to Trump supporters who have long denounced the Russia investigation. Meanwhile Trump opponents will likely point to the Durham team’s meager court record — one guilty plea and two acquittals at trial — as proof that the probe was a politically motivated farce.A look at the investigation and the report:WHO IS JOHN DURHAM?Durham has spent decades as a Justice Department prosecutor, with past assignments including investigations into the FBI’s coz...

France tightens bird flu measures in southwest after new outbreaks

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:56 GMT

France has strengthened sanitary measures in order to combat a wave in bird flu cases in southwest France, where the outbreaks have recently increased. The French Agriculture Ministry announced this on Friday (12 May).France was among the worst-affected countries by the spread of bird flu, also known as avian influenza, around the globe in the last year.This disease has caused the death of hundreds of millions birds and disrupted supply of poultry meat, eggs, and other products. Some countries such as France have therefore planned vaccination campaigns to protect farm flocks.The agriculture ministry released a statement saying that 21 outbreaks of highly-pathogenic bird flu, mostly in ducks, have been detected since May 4.The ministry reported that until the last week, France hadn't recorded any outbreaks since 14 March, leading to the authorities lowering their alert level nationwide from high to medium.It said that in the southwest, flocks near affected farms would be culed to red...

Trailblazer Gloria Molina was first Latina in California to win several elected offices

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:56 GMT

As the first Latina elected to the California state Assembly, Los Angeles City Council and L.A. County Board of Supervisors, needless to say Gloria Molina inspired legions of women, particularly Latinas, to demand a seat at the table and to hold leadership roles.And with a political career that spanned more than three decades, Molina’s influence was felt at all levels of government – local, state and national. Despite reaching such heights, those who knew her said Molina never forgot her roots and devoted her life to being a fierce advocate for the underserved.And so news of her passing on Sunday, May 14, following a three-year bout with cancer, was met with an outpouring of words of admiration from politicos and civic leaders throughout L.A. County.Molina, 74, died at her home in Mt. Washington, surrounded by loved ones.A public Celebration of Life will take place July 15 at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a Mexican-American museum and cultural center in downtown L.A. that Molina had ...

Former California teacher, wrestling coach pleads guilty to possession of child pornography

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:56 GMT

A former Anaheim elementary school teacher and high school wrestling coach pleaded guilty on Monday to possession of child pornography, authorities said.Richard O’Connor, a 45-year-old resident of Anaheim, was previously employed as a fourth-grade teacher at Crescent Elementary School and volunteered as a boy’s wrestling coach at Canyon High School. Both schools are in Anaheim. He pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography as part of a plea agreement, according to court records.The former teacher is not accused of victimizing students, officials said.In October 2022, authorities served a federal search warrant for O’Connor’s Apple iCloud account and identified at least 81 videos and 158 images of child sexual abuse material, the U.S. Justice Department said. O’Connor admitted in his plea agreement that material found on his account depicted infants or toddlers, as well as one video of a child engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct.O’Connor is scheduled to be ...

The top nine most expensive home sales in Fremont, reported the week of May 8

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:56 GMT

A house in Fremont that sold for $3.3 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Fremont in the past week.In total, 10 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $1.7 million, $952 per square foot.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of May 8 even if the property may have been sold earlier.9. $1.3 million, single-family residence in the 5000 block of Silver Reef DriveA sale has been finalized for the single-family house in the 5000 block of Silver Reef Drive in Fremont. The price was $1,320,000 and the new owners took over the house in April. The house was built in 1961 and the living area totals 1,200 square feet. The price per square foot ended up at $1,100. The house features three bedrooms and two bathrooms.Silver Reef Drive8. $1.4 million, single-family home in the 5100 block of Selma AvenueThe sale of the single family res...

Bridge: May 16, 2023

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:56 GMT

“No way I would ever get a good result on that deal,” Cy the Cynic told me. We were reviewing the deals after a duplicate.Cy’s least favorite holding is a doubleton K-Q. It reminds him of marriage, and institution he distrusts. When Cy beholds a “marriage” in his own hand or dummy, he says it portends disaster.Cy was declarer at a routine four spades, and West led the deuce of hearts, The Cynic played the jack from dummy, and East took the ace and led the ten of diamonds. Cy cashed the king and queen, then took the A-K of clubs and ruffed a club, hoping to reach his hand for a trump finesse.12 TRICKSWest overruffed with the king, and Cy’s matchpoint score for plus 650 was poor. Most Souths were plus 680.“As expected,” Cy growled.Cy must win the first diamond with the ace. He picks up the trumps, takes the top clubs, ruffs a club, goes to a high diamond in dummy and ruffs a club. He can ruff a diamond in dummy and pitch his last diamond...

Word Game: May 16, 2023

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:56 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — CASUALTY (CASUALTY: KAZH-oo-ul-tee: An unfortunate occurrence.)Average mark 19 wordsTime limit 30 minutesCan you find 24 or more words in CASUALTY? The list will be published tomorrow.YESTERDAY’S WORD — REVERTS reset rest revers revert revest ever evert veer verse vest terse tree seer sere serve server sever steerTo purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!RULES OF THE GAME:1. Words must be of four or more letters.2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at [email protected].

Horoscopes May 16, 2023: Megan Fox, leave nothing to chance

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:56 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Megan Fox, 37; Tori Spelling, 50; Janet Jackson, 57; Pierce Brosnan, 70.Tori Spelling (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Happy Birthday: Keep your life simple. Concentrate on preparation, kindness and keeping the peace. Gravitate toward what’s possible instead of heading in a direction filled with uncertainty. Be the master of your universe, see the possibilities and be the one to harness the outcome you desire. Love more and argue less. Pay attention to detail, quality and friendships. Leave nothing to chance. Your numbers are 8, 14, 19, 22, 34, 37, 45.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Face emotional discord head-on. The adjustments you make should save you money and free up time to follow your heart. Clear your life of trauma and relationships that bring you down. Love and respect yourself. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Look at the possibilities, be practical and give yourself a chance to hone the required skills to proceed. Take control o...

Named Josh or Harris? Bowie Baysox celebrate Commanders sale with free tickets for you

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:56 GMT

The Bowie Baysox are celebrating the potential change in ownership of the Washington Commanders with discounted and free tickets for selected fans this Thursday.If you come wearing Magic’s jersey Thursday night……your ticket is FREE!!https://t.co/dQB3Qx7Nuh pic.twitter.com/DQhWN1o4xT— Bowie Baysox (@BowieBaysox) May 16, 2023The minor league team — which is the Double-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles — is promoting free general admission tickets for all fans named “Josh” or “Harris,” first or last name, or to anyone wearing a Magic Johnson jersey during its Thursday game against the Altoona Curve at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie, Maryland.The Baysox is also offering $10 box seat tickets, which are the closest seats to the field, for all fans wearing Washington franchise gearThree lucky fans — one named Harris, one named Josh and one wearing a Magic jersey — will also get to throw out the first pitch.That name and jersey promotion is inspired by the...