UPDATE: Salvador Padilla has returned home safe, police said Tuesday.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Police are asking for the publics help to locate a 69-year-old man from Brighton Heights who was reported missing from a hospital in Brooklyn.

A Silver Alert has been issued for the man, who suffers from dementia and may be in need of medical attention, according to the citys Notify NYC alert system.

Salvador Padilla of Brighton Avenue was last seen on Monday at about 7 p.m. inside Maimonides Medical Center at 4802 10th Ave. in Brooklyn, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

Police described Padilla as weighing about 170 pounds.

He is Hispanic, has brown eyes, salt-and-pepper hair, a gray mustache, and is missing his top front teeth.

He was seen wearing a gray sweater, blue jeans, a blue baseball cap and black sneakers.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at http://WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, or on Twitter @ NYPDTips.

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Silver Alert: Staten Island man, 69, went missing from hospital in Brooklyn - SILive.com

Dozens of meticulously planned thefts on a remote island; all the inhabitants are potential suspects. In an investigation that would befit Agatha Christies sleuth, Hercule Poirot, the three police officers on Capraia, an island off Tuscany, must tread carefully as they hunt for the culprits among the population of about 400.

The islands mayor, Marida Bessi, told the newspaper Corriere della Sera that cracks were already starting to show in the otherwise close-knit community, with friends and neighbours eyeing each other suspiciously.

Most of the robberies, of homes and shops, have taken place during the winter, when visitors are absent from the island, which lies closer to Corsica than it does to mainland Italy and is only accessible by boat, weather permitting. In the most recent incident the thieves deactivated the CCTV camera in a tobacco shop before taking 60,000 (52,000) from the safe.

They also broke into the home of the deputy mayor, Fabio Mazzei, in November and made off with a safe containing cash and jewellery that had been hidden in some furniture. It is a very sad thing because there is the feeling of having a thief in the family, Mazzei told the newspaper. They struck on the right day, as they knew I was going to Pisa for a visit. They knew the house very well.

Most of the inhabitants keep their money at home, as the islands only bank closed last year. That the CCTV camera in the square is broken is proving to be another stumbling block in the investigation.

The inquiry has so far yielded many theories but no clues, Bessi said. The islands three police officers are very good, they are doing everything they possibly can, she told Corriere. But they should have more investigative tools as otherwise it really is an unsolvable crime story.

Two-thirds of the 19 sq km island was occupied by a penal colony until 1986, and inhabitants had lived peacefully until the recent thefts. The population swells to about 4,000 during the summer.

The risk now is that the sense of community we have always had will be damaged, Bessi said.

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Whodunnit grips tiny Italian island after dozens of thefts - The Guardian

The Pacific Islands Forum the Pacifics most influential regional body is in disarray after nearly one-third of its member countries quit en masse.

The countries of the Micronesian sub-grouping Palau, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, and Nauru have all abandoned the forum over the selection of the new secretary-general for the forum, following the election of Polynesias candidate in defiance of a long-standing convention that dictated it was the Micronesias turn to provide the forums leader.

The mass defection represents a significant crisis for the forum, at a time when the Pacific faces acute pan-regional challenges, including recovering from the economic devastation of Covid-19 travel bans and lockdowns, and the existential threat posed by climate change.

Not only has the forum lost five of 18 members, it has lost an entire regional sub-grouping, the Micronesian nations representing the northern Pacific.

With smaller populations and economies, Micronesian nations feel they have been consistently overlooked by comparatively larger Melanesian and Polynesian countries.

By a long-standing convention - known as the gentlemens agreement the leadership of the Pacific Islands Forum cycles through the three major sub-regions across the Pacific: Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia.

This election was Micronesias turn, and the bloc had coalesced its support behind the candidacy of the Marshall Islands ambassador to the US Gerald Zackios.

But in a forum leaders meeting last week - bruising according to sources in the room - Polynesias candidate, the former Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna, won a fractious vote by nine votes to eight (New Caledonia, currently without a government, did not attend). In response to Zackioss loss, Palau unilaterally pulled out of the forum.

On Tuesday morning, Micronesian leaders released a statement to collectively express their great disappointment with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General appointment process.

The Micronesian presidents jointly agreed to forthwith initiate the formal process of withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Forum respecting their national processes and will act swiftly like the Republic of Palau, the statement, issued by Nauru president Lionel Aingemea says.

Each nation will undertake this process with respect to its own internal legal and procedural requirements and [the] final decision rests with respective governments. The Micronesian presidents look forward to strengthening the work of subregional organisations.

Palau was the first country to leave in the wake of the secretary-general election.

Clearly there is no need really for Micronesian to be part of the [forum], they dont really consider us part of them, the president of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr, told the Guardian last week.

Our friends from the South Pacific did not want to honour the gentlemens agreement, in fact, they keep saying that they dont know anything about the gentlemens agreement.

The defections fundamentally alter the make-up of the Pacific Islands Forum, and change its relationships with the broader world.

With Micronesian nations out, there will be no countries in the Pacific Islands Forum north of the equator.

Three of the Pacific states who have left - Palau, FSM, and the Marshall Islands are closely allied to the United States, in compacts of free association with Washington.

Kiribati has recently flipped its formal diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to mainland China, leading to concerns over an increased presence and influence of Beijing over the massive archipelago.

Nauru, a former Australian colony, remains closely hewn to Canberra and dependent on its financial support.

Jonathan Pryke, director of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute, said the defections were a a disaster for the both the forum, and Pacific regionalism.

Its clear regionalism couldnt hold up in the age of zoom. It will be on life-support until the region can get back to face-to-face mode.

The Pacific Way is premised on consensus and dialogue, with leaders valuing regular in-person meetings and discussions.

But while the Pacific often acts and speaks as a unified bloc on the world stage particularly on pan-regional issues such as climate change or ocean health internally, the region is hugely diverse: between subregions and nations there are significant differences in size, wealth, development, governance structure , ethnicity, culture, and geography.

This has also revealed how regionalism looks better from afar than it did up close, and revealed how tenuous the regional ties in the Pacific really are. We can be forgiven for thinking it is a tight bloc on issues like climate, on oceans, it speaks with a united voice but the reality is there are tensions in the region that are decades old just beneath the surface, and they have cracked open in the last week.

Pryke said the split was not the death of regionalism, but it will set it back years.

And its really disappointing that its the small states that are pulling out, they often benefit most from forums like the PIF. But clearly they have felt so marginalised, that this is the only course of action they can take.

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Pacific Islands Forum in crisis as one-third of member nations quit - The Guardian

The Australian Open might get all the attention, but dont be fooled. There is currently another WTA tournament taking place in Melbourne right now. In fact, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin has already lost in the Round of 32 at the WTA Phillip Island Trophy. However, the other 15 Round of 32 matches will be contested on Monday, and were here to predict all of them for you. Who will advance? We share our thoughts. This set of predictions looks at three matches, and we also have three other sets, featuring Johanna Konta vs Aliaksandra Sanovich, Varvara Lepchenko vs Danielle Collins, and Petra Martic vs Rebecca Marino.

Kasatkina was looking like a potential top player a few years ago, and then her form mysteriously disappeared for a long while. She seems to be building up her confidence again, though, and playing a bit better. Will she reach her past top form? I dont know. But shes playing well enough right now to move past her countrywoman.Prediction: Kasatkina in 3

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This should low-key be a very good match. Neither player is the most consistent, but both have lots of talent and their styles should make this a very fun match to watch. With no fans in the stands that takes away a potential advantage from Tomljanovic. Then again, the Aussie played very well at the Australian Open, and I expect that to continue.Prediction: Tomljanovic in 2

Andreescu is easing her way back into the top of the game. She played well at the Australian Open, but fell to the rising Hsieh Su-Wei. Still, the Canadian is super-talented and finding her match form again. I expect her to move on.Prediction: Andreescu in 2

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WTA Phillip Island Trophy Day 2 Predictions Including Madison Brengle vs Bianca Andreescu - Last Word on Baseball

The Australian Open might get all the attention, but dont be fooled. There is currently another WTA tournament taking place in Melbourne right now. In fact, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin has already lost in the Round of 32 at the WTA Phillip Island Trophy. However, the other 15 Round of 32 matches will be contested on Monday, and were here to predict all of them for you. Who will advance? We share our thoughts. This set of predictions looks at four matches, and we also have three other sets, featuring Madison Brengle vs Bianca Andreescu, Varvara Lepchenko vs Danielle Collins, and Petra Martic vs Rebecca Marino.

Neither of these players will be happy with their Australian Open performance. Teichmann played poorly against Coco Gauff, while Zhang was absolutely embarrassed by Ann Li. On recent results, Id have to go with Teichmann. Zhang has more talent, though, so eventually that has to pull through. Probably.Prediction: Zhang in 3

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Raina is 28 years old and still hasnt found her way into the top levels of the game. Shes a solid ITF player who has never cracked the top 170. Birrell, meanwhile was a rising young Aussie until she had to take off over a year with an elbow injury. Shes working her way back, and the home courts should help.Prediction: Birrell in 3

Greet Minnen has been getting her chances on tour recently, and she certainly looked strong in her opening match against Timea Babos here. Peterson is the better player, but shes been a bit inconsistent since a very strong run in 2019. Ill go with Peterson, but Minnen definitely has a chance to spring this upset.Prediction: Peterson in 3

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This has the potential to be a good match, but Im not expecting too much. Sasnovich is extremely talented but somehow never seems fully able to play that way consistently. Konta might no longer be a Top 10 player, but shes still one of the best in the world. I expect the Brit to cruise.Prediction: Konta in 2

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WTA Phillip Island Trophy Day 2 Predictions Including Johanna Konta vs Aliaksandra Sanovich - Last Word on Baseball

The Australian Open might get all the attention, but dont be fooled. There is currently another WTA tournament taking place in Melbourne right now. In fact, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin has already lost in the Round of 32 at the WTA Phillip Island Trophy. However, the other 15 Round of 32 matches will be contested on Monday, and were here to predict all of them for you. Who will advance? We share our thoughts. This set of predictions looks at four matches, and we also have three other sets, featuring Johanna Konta vs Aliaksandra Sanovich, Varvara Lepchenko vs Danielle Collins, and Madison Brengle vs Bianca Andreescu.

Head-to-head: Zhu 1-0 Bouzkova

Handed a tough first-round draw at the Australian Open, Marie Bouzkova made a swift exit at the hands of Elina Svitolina. Zhu Lin, meanwhile, did manage to win a round, beating Whitney Osuigwe for the loss of only two games before Elise Mertens proved too strong in the second round. Both women have since bounced back with wins at the WTA Phillip Island Trophy, although Bouzkovas victory over Danka Kovinic did come via retirement.

Still, the Czech looks to be in good position to win this match. She did lose her only previous meeting with Zhu, which came in the second round at Wimbledon in 2017, but she has improved considerably in the interim and has played the better tennis overall so far in 2021. Expect a close contest here, but for Bouzkovas greater ability to step in and dictate, as well as change direction in the rally, to give her the decisive advantage.

Prediction: Bouzkova in 3Embed from Getty Images

Head-to-head: Doi 1-0 Sorribes Tormo

Sara Sorribes Tormo was made to work very hard for her first-round win, but the Spaniard had just enough to edge out Russias Ludmilla Samsonova, 6-7 6-1 7-6. But she may struggle up against Misaki Doi. The Japanese disappointed at the Australian Open, losing 1-6 2-6 in the first round to Ajla Tomljanovic, but she got back to winning ways with a fine 6-3 7-5 win over Carolina Garcia. She also beat Sara Sorribes Tormo comfortably in their only previous meeting. Expect the experienced Doi to come out on top once again.

Prediction: Doi in 2

Head-to-head: first meeting

Francesca Jones may have been well-beaten in the first round at the Australian Open by Shelby Rogers, but it has still been an excellent few weeks for the Briton. After winning three qualifying matches to make it into the main draw at Melbourne Park, she then scored her first WTA Tour-level win by upsetting world #44 Zheng Saisai in the first round at the WTA Phillip Island Trophy, a victory that will earn her a place in the top 200 of the WTA Rankings.

But she faces what looks like a tough test up against Patricia Maria Tig. The Romanian enjoyed a career-best season in 2020 and finished the year ranked inside the top 60. Still, the Romanian is at her best on the clay and has not looked entirely convincing so far in Australia, with her first-round win over Lesia Tsurenko her first win of the season in singles. Jones may struggle against the biggest hitters, but this is a winnable match for the 20-year-old.

Prediction: Jones in 3Embed from Getty Images

Head-to-head: first meeting

Petra Martic may still be ranked inside the top 20, but she has not been playing the sort of tennis that would typically be required to maintain such a lofty position in the WTA standings. She has won just one match so far this season and unless she starts finding more victories soon, her ranking looks set to plummet. This wont be straightforward for the Croatian, however, with Rebecca Marino having played some fine tennis of late.

The Canadian, who took a break from the sport in 2013 before returning in 2017, impressed in qualifying for the Australian Open, where she won a round. Her big serve looks well-suited to the fast courts in Melbourne, and she has already beaten Mayo Hibi and Mona Barthel at the WTA Phillip Island Trophy, without dropping a set in either match. Martic should offer more opposition, but the Canadian looks set to score another memorable win.

Prediction: Marino in 3

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WTA Phillip Island Trophy Day 2 Predictions Including Martic vs Marino - Last Word on Baseball

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. On Saturday night at Jac Mao in Dongan Hills, a whoosh of ice and water clinked against glass as a waiter filled goblets from a pitcher. Patrons chatted in the backdrop and forgotten sounds of a restaurants dining room returned after a two-month hiatus.

Owner Jac Mao himself carved Peking duck table-side as a few servers hustled behind him. A masked Mao said, Its so good to be back really. One thing sorely missing as lounge crowds are banned, he pointed out, was the crew that sat belly-up to his bar rail until late the evening. Still, Mao said his regulars have returned to him as of Friday but they instead took their usual libations at linen-cloth lined tables.

Mao chuckled, Vodka with orange. Campari and soda. We remembered everyones usual. Some things dont change.

But the face of dining certainly has for the industry in this new era of serving patrons in the COVID-19 recovery stage. Food establishments must present disposable menus or those protected by meticulously cleaned, protective plastic jackets. Shooting a thermometer at guests foreheads and collecting contact data now are as rote as saying hello at the door. And at 25% capacity, the space between tables leaves six to seven-foot gaps in dining rooms, ample space for social distancing and perhaps more of a private experience among parties. A new curfew time of 11 p.m. is in effect as of Sunday, Feb. 14.

Jac Mao stands in his restaurant as patrons return for indoor dining. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)

SAVORING THE MOMENT

On the inaugural eve of sit-down service, Barbara Martin dined with six other family members and friends in the back room of The Local in Castleton Corners. After almost a year of missing the luxury she said, It felt almost magical to be out again after being deprived for so long. Like a drink after a drought.

Proprietor Joe Fauci of La Fontana in Oakwood and La Fontana Sorellina in Annadale said, So far so good. Not that 25% is enough but we are in so much better shape than in the last two months. The LaFa customers are ecstatic!

Fauci said his mostly vaccinated staff also delighted to be back to the business. He said, A lot of smiles around here and its not overcrowded. He acknowledged that some LaFa diehards were not comfortable coming out but in those instances they ordered food to go; takeout was strong so far this weekend.

Customers might be happier than us they congratulate us on the re-opening, said Fauci. Payroll this week will certainly be easier, he shared. And he hopes his wifes special occasion-decoration business will rev back up again soon. Her LS Party Express, like the Oakwood restaurant, has been in existence for over 35 years but on hold since March 2020 without gatherings and catered affairs.

But shell survive, said Fauci.

Hear the clink of ice in a glass? It's one of the sounds back in dining rooms as patrons return to restaurants in NYC. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)

A SOFT RE-OPENING

Maurizio Asperti shut his historic Basilio Inn in early December and introduced a soft opening on Saturday night.

I wasnt sure it was going to happen. People were happy to be out. Were turning 100 this year but waiting for this pandemic to subside before starting the celebrations, said Asperti.

The minimal capacities were a factor in reopening for entrepreneurs like Richie Holmes from Juicy Lucy in Ocean Breeze. He reported, Im closed until March 4 and am redoing the inside. We are going to wait until 50% on March 15 and Ill have the drive-in movies again on April 1. I think thats a bit more important right now rather than competing with all these places offering $20 and $25 half-trays of food. Holmes had switched up his barbecue format over the pandemic pivoting among the concepts of delivery only, a food and flick outdoor entertainment center and an authentic Italian menu.

In Richmond Valley, Sal Finocchiaro said his double storefront pizza parlor, Palermo Pizzeria had few takers for sit-down supping. He observed, With the 25% occupancy people went out to restaurants. We only had three tables last night. Im a little disappointed but delivery and pickup were not affected.

Bill Sorensen and wife, Beverly, savored broccoli rabe with sausage at Jimmy Max in Westerleigh. The last time the dined at the establishment it was outdoors in full sun on the sidewalk next to the bus stop.

We had a 5:45 reservation and it was great as usual, said Sorensen who was pleased with how far apart were tables. He added, Valentines Day will be at the Manor House for Beverlys special rack of lamb with risotto, tartufo. Decaf coffee with Sambuca will top it off.

However, a handful of restaurant enthusiasts polled for this story were pessimistic. Their experiences were dampened by fellow patrons. One East Shore resident eschewed the proximity of an over-beveraged neighbor who lingered unmasked, standing, over his familys table.

A North Shore woman told the Advance she was excited to return to a neighborhood haunt for a margarita but was horrified by the crowds behavior. She said, A table of girls next to me were very loud and obviously drunk. They were with another table of girls across the room. All they did were get up and run over there every five minutes with no masks, taking pictures, screaming. No one said anything.

She feels this kind of irresponsibility will be the demise of indoor dining and customer confidence going forward. Yet she also empathizes with business owners.

Said the patron, Heres the thing. The COVID police will be out. They definitely couldve gotten a citation or been shut down, then cry and have a GoFundMe. These girls were so drunk and everyone was looking. They wouldnt sit down and certainly didnt put masks on when they were running all over. I hope [the business] gets shut if thats allowed again.

Generally, restaurant owners were optimistic. Terence Haggerty of Jodys Club Forest said, Everything went really well. Im very happy to be able to have people inside. His hope is to trend upward with higher capacities in the very near future.

Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.

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Hows the indoor dining going so far on Staten Island? - SILive.com

The Hulk is used to smashing giant monsters and supervillains, but one particular island almost literally scared him to death.

The Hulk is one of Marvel's most troubled heroes, struggling with his inner demons throughout his comic book history. Bruce Banner's traumatic past and fractured psyche make him a uniquely compelling character. The Hulk'stroubled mind almost hit a breaking pointwhen he was confronted by an island of his worst nightmares.

"Tempus Fugit," took place inIncredible Hulk#77-81 by Peter David and Lee Weeks. Swimming at the bottom of the ocean, the Hulk encountered a monstrous squid, which gave him an arduous battle. After defeating the monster, Hulk washedashore of a nearby island, turning back into Bruce Banner. Immediately, Banner was attacked by another monster, before he was saved by Ripley and Gwen, two ordinary humans who were stranded on the island.

Related:The Maestro Just Proved Why He's the Most EVIL Hulk In the Marvel Multiverse

After brief introductions, the three survivors were attacked by the Gray Hulk, greatly surprising Banner. Turning back intothe Hulk, Banner allowed the others to get away while he fought off his early incarnation. During their escape, Gwen and Ripley encountered General Thunderbolt Ross, who convinced them that the island was a military operation. The military was apparently using technology to produce artificial hallucinations from the enemy's psyche, in this case, Banner's mind. The Green Goliath, meanwhile, killed the Gray Hulk before fighting Fin Fang Foom and throwing him into a volcano. Whoever was running the island was observing the Hulk very carefully, gaining glimpses into Banner's past. Indeed, the story frequently presented flashbacks to Banner's teenage years, living with his aunt. During this time, the Hulk persona was an active part of Banner's mind, talking to him and convincing him to fight back against bullies and all those who laughed at him. The Hulk's influence became especially dangerous when he got Banner to plant a bomb at his school, before Banner rushed to defuse it.

Back in the present day, the Hulk was confronted by Wolverine, dressed in his original Department H uniform. After the Hulk fought Logan, he turned back to Banner, realizing that none of these recent events could be real. When Kang The Conqueror appeared, Banner's suspicions were confirmed. What Banner didn't know, however, was that "Wolverine" would stab him through the chest. Awakening in an asylum, Banner was greeted by Doc Samson, who tried to convince Bruce that he'd been an inmate for years. Unconvinced, Banner became the Hulk, strangling Samson until he transformed into General Ross, Betty Ross and Mephisto, before revealing his true form. Finally, Nightmare emerged, revealing Gwen as his daughter, "Daydream."

Related:Immortal Hulk: Who Are the U-Foes, the Avenger's Elemental Enemies?

Apparently, Nightmare created this island to experiment with his power, blurring the line between dreams and reality. The Hulk was his "prime test case," since The Jade Giant had interfered with his plans so many times before. The enemies who Hulk had fought were the Mindless Ones, borrowed from the Dark Dimension. Nightmare also revealed that he'd fabricated some of the Hulk's recent memories, before he even came to the island.

In a rather disturbing twist, Nightmare tauntedthe Hulk by claiming that he had conceived Daydream with a comatose Betty Ross. Enraged,the Green Goliath decapitated Nightmare, before riding off on the demon's horse. Gwen and Ripley, meanwhile, vanished, to live happily ever after. Shortly afterwards, however, Betty Ross washed ashore on the same island. Greeted by Nightmare, disguised as her father, Betty was assured that she was just waking up from a bad dream. Althoughthe Hulk survived an island of nightmares, he wasn't able to fully extinguish their creator's eternal torment.

KEEP READING:Hulk: Maestro Reveals Which MAJOR Marvel Villain Survived the Apocalypse

Guardians of the Galaxy Are Turning Into Marvel's 'Space Avengers'

Nabeel Gaber is a longtime reader of a plethora of comic books. He's based in Houston, Texas, following all of the latest comic book media from movies to television. Nabeel is a graduate of Trinity University, working now as a freelance comic book features writer. In his spare time, Nabeel enjoys running, improv comedy, and all the comics he can get his hands on!

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Hulk: How Bruce Banner Survived an Island of His WORST Nightmares - CBR - Comic Book Resources

VANCOUVER -- Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for Greater Victoria and most of the rest of Vancouver Island Sunday morning as a second storm system made its way through.

As much as 25 centimetres of snow fell in some parts of the island Friday night and through the day Saturday, and Environment Canada's warning calls for another five to 10 centimetres on Sunday.

Snow is expected to change over to rain in Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands Sunday evening, but elsewhere on the Island the transition to rain is forecasted to happen later, according to the federal weather agency.

Environment Canada specifically called out driving conditions on the Malahat Highway between Goldstream and Mill Bay, saying "a long period of snowfall" with accumulations of 15 to 20 centimetres is expected Sunday.

"Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions," the agency said. "Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow."

In Victoria, crews worked through the night Saturday into Sunday applying salt to priority routes, according to an update from the city.

Due to the forecasted snowfall on Sunday, the city is continuing to focus on priority routes, as well as downtown transit stops, wheelchair ramps and sidewalks in front of city properties.

Crews will begin plowing residential side streets once the snow lets up and major routes are clear, the city said.

On Saturday, the city and the Victoria Police Department asked residents to stay home and avoid non-essential travel if possible.

The snowy conditions contributed to a number of traffic accidents, police said, though no serious injuries were reported.

One crash on the Pat Bay Highway left northbound traffic partially blocked for several hours on Saturday.

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More snowfall warnings on Vancouver Island as shift to rain expected - CTV Edmonton

THE DUP HAVE said there is value in exploring a two-island approach by Ireland and the UK to international travel as part of the pandemic response.

The partys leader in Westminster, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, said there was a lot of scope for cooperation in the Common Travel Area that operates between the two islands.

Tnaiste Leo Varadkar said last week that preliminary discussions on such an approach have begun with the UK government.

Asked about an approach that would encompass England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Donaldson said: I think there is value in exploring that, yes.

He told Newstalks On The Record with Gavan Reilly: As Ive said it needs to be done on a United Kingdom and Common Travel Area basis.

I think there is a lot of scope for cooperation on the whole question of the Common Travel Area, Donaldson said.

Certainly, in terms of international visitors coming in to the Common Travel Area,there is scope for greater cooperation, he said.

The UK has recently announced strict new mandatory hotel quarantine measures for passengers arriving from 33 red list countries.

Penalties of up to 10,0000 or 10 years in prison have been introduced for those who try to conceal that they are travelling from a red list country.

Ireland has announced its own list of 20 red list countries but has swerved such severe penalties for non-compliance.

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At a press conference last week, Varadkar backed a two-island approach.

The best thing I think we can do is try to coordinate, Varadkar said.

Because if Northern Ireland is a back door to the Republic of Ireland, Ireland is a backdoor to Britain and to England, he said.

The best thing we can do is work together on this, and Im a strong advocate of the two-islands strategy, Britain and Ireland, as much as we can, aligning and working together.

Donaldson criticised the Irish governments failure to share data with the Executive on passengers arriving into the Republic, who may be travelling on to Northern Ireland.

He said: With respect, its not just about Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Its about the United Kingdom as a whole, and the Republic of Ireland, because we know at the moment there are difficulties, for example in data sharing, which normally happens under the Common Travel Area, Donaldson said.

The northern Executive has been waiting for over 10 months for the Irish government to agree to share data on people who have entered the Republic of Ireland, through ports or airports, and are traveling on into Northern Ireland, he said.

So with the greatest of respect, the difficulty here is not Unionists in the Northern Ireland Executive.

I suggest you ask the relevant Irish government minister, why over 10 months later, on foot of a request from the Northern Ireland Executive for the sharing of data, we are still waiting for the Irish government to approve that request.

A further 176 individuals in Northern Ireland tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 24 hours.

A further 11 deaths have also been reported. One of the deaths took place outside the reporting period.

It brings the total number of deaths linked to the virus in Northern Ireland to 1,996.

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DUP says a two-island approach to international travel is worth 'exploring' - thejournal.ie

National Review

President Bidens flurry of executive orders has now extended to housing policy and to a pledge to reverse the Trump administrations approach to fair housing. Specifically, that would mean reversing the Trump reversal of an Obama-era rule known as Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing designed to introduce affordable (read subsidized) housing into higher-income, suburban zip codes. To justify a return to this controversial policy, President Biden rehearsed a long litany of federal housing-policy sins. Hes right about many of those but wrong about his approach to redress. More subsidized housing, in the tragic public-housing tradition, will only spur division and do little to help minority groups in their quest for upward mobility. It is incontrovertible, as President Biden stated in his executive order, that during the 20th century, Federal, State, and local governments systematically implemented racially discriminatory housing policies that contributed to segregated neighborhoods and inhibited equal opportunity and the chance to build wealth for Black, Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and Native American families, and other underserved communities. Most significantly, the Federal Housing Authority would not insure mortgages for blacks in white neighborhoods, and racial covenants deed restrictions against blacks (and Jews, by the way) were the norm into the 1950s. Urban freeways ploughed through low-income, often (though not exclusively) minority, neighborhoods, displacing thousands. Today, we are left with the Cross Bronx Expressway and the Chrysler Freeway. Even this apology is, however, selective. African Americans, particularly, suffered the tragedy of a (still) favorite progressive program: public housing. A key history here is underappreciated. Historically black neighborhoods Central Harlem, Detroits Black Bottom, Chicagos Bronzeville, Desoto-Carr in St. Louis were denigrated as slums, even though they were home to large numbers of residential property owners and hundreds of black-owned businesses. When they were cleared to make way for public housing, they were replaced by high-rise hells in which ownership asset accumulation was by definition impossible. The social fabric of self-help, civil society, and upward mobility was ripped apart. Blacks have always been, and remain, disproportionately represented in public and otherwise subsidized housing, often trapped into long-term dependency by counterproductive policies: When their income rises, so does rent. Compensating for this dual history of outright racism and harmful progressivism must not mean a new generation of housing sins. But Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, should it be restored, is just that. Federal pressure through the leverage of local aid programs to force the introduction of subsidized rental housing for low-income tenants has long been a guarantee of resistance by lower-middle class residents, white and black, justifiably concerned that households who have not strived and saved to make it to their neighborhoods will pose problems. Concentrations of housing-voucher tenants, dispersed by the demolition of some public-housing projects, have already spread dysfunction and poor maintenance including into apartment buildings in Warrensville Heights, the Ohio hometown of Marcia Fudge, the incoming secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Racial integration and fair housing remain goals for which America must strive. But that means understanding how neighborhoods work. Americans, black and white, self-select to live in areas in which they share the socioeconomic characteristics of their neighbors. Some liberals might not like that but those are their personal choices, as well. When minority-group members share the economic and educational backgrounds of new neighbors, the odds of intolerance are vastly decreased. Thats why fair housing should mean nondiscrimination not subsidized new developments. Instead, Biden is doubling down on the example set by the Obama administration in Westchester County, which was forced to spend $60 million to subsidize 874 housing units in a county in which racial and ethnic minorities are already well represented. That means that current black and Hispanic homeowners, who have bought their homes through striving and saving, will have to see their county taxes used to subsidize others to the tune of $68,000 per home. The exclusionary suburbs wont be pried open by confrontation. There will be endless lawsuits. Instead, HUD, if its to have any useful role, must try to use such tools as model zoning (suggestions, not mandates) to convince local planning boards to permit the market to build naturally occurring affordable housing small homes, including small multifamilies, on small lots. Historically, thats how the American working class was able to afford homes. An administration truly interested in correcting the housing-policy sins of the past would not overlook the existing problems of public and subsidized housing. Heres a bold idea: sell off public-housing projects on high-value real estate (see the Brooklyn waterfront) and provide cash compensation to its residents. They should be able to move where they like or just put the money aside. Theres a lot about our housing past to correct. Doubling down on previous sins is not the way to start.

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Puerto Rico governor: "Congress is morally obligated to respond" to island's statehood vote - Yahoo News

The Big Island reported two new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the islands total case count to 2,213.

The new Big Island cases were among 71 new cases reported across the state by the Department of Health. Oahu reported 48 new cases while Maui County reported 11 and Kauai zero. Ten residents were diagnosed while outside the state.

The Big Island on Saturday had a 0.7% test positivity rate, below the statewide rate of 1.1%.

Statewide, to date, there have been 26,810 people who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Statewide, 45 people were hospitalized Saturday, none of whom were receiving care on the Big Island. To date, 2,149 people have required hospitalization, including 114 on the Big Island.

No new coronavirus-related deaths were reported Saturday by the state. Of the 425 coronavirus-related deaths confirmed and reported by the state to date, 339 were on Oahu, 29 were on Maui, 53 were on the Big Island and one on Kauai. Three deaths were among residents outside the state.

The Big Islands COVID-19 fatality rate remained at 2.4% on Saturday, above the statewide rate of 1.6%.

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Two new cases of COVID-19 reported on Big Island - West Hawaii Today

Fast times in New York as Shaunae Miller-Uibo dominates, whileCharlie DaVall Grice breaks British 1000m record and Jake Wightman lowers Scottish 1500m mark

There had been high hopes for fast times at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix and the latest stop on the World Athletics World Indoor Tour did not disappoint as a swathe of national records fell in New York.

The meeting had been moved to the impressive Ocean Breeze facility in Staten Island due to the original venue of the Reggie Lewis Centre in Boston being used as a Covid-19 vaccination centre. And while the showpiece shorter sprints perhaps didnt completely live up to expectations, much of the action was of a very high quality as some of the worlds biggest stars came out to play.

One of the most impressive showings came in the womens 400m, as Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo broke theBahamian record in a world-leading 50.21 in what was her first indoor run over the distance in seven years. It moved herto fifth on the all-time standings. American Wadeline Jonathas was second in 51.95, with Jessica Beard third in 52.60.

In the mens 400m Michael Norman edged a fantastic race, clocking 45.34 to just hold off training partner Rai Benjamins PB of 45.39. Tyrell Richard was third in 46.25.

The mens two-mile event won by Justin Knights world-leading 8:13.92 had seen the first national record of the night set by third-placed Australian Morgan McDonald when he clocked 8:14.92 but there was also a remarkable performance from his compatriot Oliver Hoare in the 1500m.

Britains Jake Wightman, in his first outing of the year, had led from the front for much of the race until the closing lap, when Hoares closing 300m of 41.67 led him to the line first in a time of 3:32.35 which placed him seventh on the all-time list.

In finishing second, Wightman came perilously close to Peter Elliotts 21-year-old British indoor mark of 3:34.20, but the European and Commonwealth medallists PB of 3:34.48 is a Scottish indoor record. New Zealands Sam Tanner clocked 3:34.72 for another national mark as nine of the field set personal bests.

The 1500m had followed hot on the heels of a memorable mens 1000m encounter in which there was a British record for Charlie DaVall Grice to celebrate. Bryce Hoppell won the race in a North American record of 2:16.27, but DaVall Grice had pushed him hard for much of the encounter, the Briton eventually clocking 2:17.20 for third, with Canadas Marco Arop second in2:17.10.

Another of the evenings talking points came in the womens two-mile event. Many believeElle Purrier to be a star in the making and her time of 9:10.28 was not only an outright North American record but placed her third on the all-time list. Only two women Genzebe Dibaba and Meseret Defar have ever gone quicker either indoors or out.

In seventh place, Amy Eloise Markovc clocked a British record of 9.30.69, with her 3000m time of 8:54.11 en route not only a PB but also within the qualifying standard for next months European Indoor Championships.

Another North American record fell in the mens 800m when world champion Donavan Brazier broke his own mark with 1:44.21, while a third consecutive personal best from Britains Jamie Webbof 1:46.26 gave him second spot ahead of Erik Sowinksi (1:47.65).

The womens race was won by world bronze medallist Ajee Wilson, who was a late entrant but was a convincing winner when clocking 2:01.79 to take the victory ahead of fellow American Kaela Edwards 2:02.17. There was a superb third place for Britains Isabelle Boffey thanks to her indoor PB of 2:02.45, which was inside the European Indoor Championships qualifying standard. Her fellow Briton Adelle Tracey tired in the latter stages to run2:04.28 for seventh.

Ajee Wilson wins the 800m, with Isabelle Boffey coming third. Credit: New Balance Indoor Grand Prix/Kevin Morris

When it came to the shorter sprints, the 100m hurdles world record holder Keni Harrison clocked a world-leading 7.82 in winning the 60m hurdles, with Britains Tiffany Porter equalling her seasons best of 7.89,the same time clocked by third-placed Gabrielle Cunningham. Britains Cindy Semper was fifth in 8.22, with world 400m hurdles silver medallist Sydney McLaughlin struggling in eighth with a time of 8.56.

An impressive late surge from Trayvon Bromellgave him 60m victory in a time of 6.50 ahead of fellow Americans Demek Kemp (6.65) and Maurice Eaddy (6.67), while in the womens raceKayla Whites PB of 7.15 landed her the winfrom Hannah Cunliffes 7.17, with Candace Hill clocking 7.19 in third.

As expected world champion Noah Lylesdid take the 200m honours but didnt seem overly impressed with himself after a run of 20.80 which saw him finish ahead of Deon Lendore (20.92) and Jaron Flournoy (21.26). Lyles had also run 6.76 in the 60m heats earlier in the evening.

In the two field events,Trey Culver cleared a world-leading and PB-equalling 2.33m to break the meeting high jump record, while world indoor champion Sandi Morris won the pole vault with a best clearance of 4.60m.

Full events results can be found here

For more on the latest athletics news, athletics events coverage and athletics updates, check out theAW homepageand our social media channels onTwitter,FacebookandInstagram

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Records tumble as stars come out to play in Staten Island - AW - Athletics Weekly

Two men and women who were stranded on a deserted island for 33 days were rescued after they waved flags to get the attention of a passing US Coast Guard helicopter crew.

The crew were reportedly on a routine mission off the Florida Keys.

Helicopter pilot Mike Allert told American digital television station WPLG: "We were alerted to them by the flags that they actually had in addition to a large cross that they put out there for themselves."

Mr Allert said he decided to fly back around Anguilla Cay to investigate and a crew returned to the island on Monday 8 February to drop water, food and a radio.

The trio was stranded on an uninhabited Bahamian island between Key West and Cuba, the agency posted on Twitter.

A helicopter crew returned on Tuesday to pick them up.

Coast Guard officials tweeted that the trio were from Cuba.

They told officials their boat had overturned in rough waters and they were able to swim to the island.

The trio told the crew they had survived on coconuts, conchs and rats, news outlets reported.

It was not immediately clear whether they were migrants attempting to get to the United States, or if they were just lost at sea, US Coast Guard Petty Officer Brandon Murray told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

They were taken to a medical centre, where none appeared to have serious injuries.

"I cannot recall a time that we saved people who were stranded for over a month on an island," he told the newspaper.

"That is a new one for me."

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Three people rescued after surviving on island for 33 days by eating coconuts and rats - Sky News

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Heres a look at the top criminal-justice-related headlines across the borough this week.

NYPD: 39K HAUL FOR COMMERCIAL BURGLAR

Police cars are stationed in New Dorp Lane following a report of a burglary on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

A burglar stole $39,000 by raiding an ATM at a deli on New Dorp Lane and busted through a glass door and wall of an adjacent storefront to burglarize a restaurant on Forest Avenue in Mariners Harbor, authorities allege.

When officers tried pull over Juan Reyes, 39, of Graniteville, in a stolen van shortly after the restaurant caper, the suspect hit the gas and led officers on a wild chase through the streets of Mariners Harbor, according to the criminal complaint and police.

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ROSSVILLE MAN INDICTED IN ALLEGED RAPE

A Rossville man has been indicted on charges alleging he raped and sexually abused an underage girl last year and also hit two children.

Salvatore Lovacco, 48, of the 100 block of Santa Monica Lane, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to all charges at his arraignment in state Supreme Court, St. George.

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HES INDICTED IN GIRLFRIENDS MURDER

A Tompkinsville man has been indicted on a murder charge in connection with the slaying of his live-in girlfriend in their apartment two months ago.

Milton Bolton, 39, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday in state Supreme Court, St. George.

Prosecutors allege Bolton killed Natasha Colon, 38, on Dec. 15.

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FDNY MEMBER HIT WITH CHILD-PORN CHARGES

A 59-year-old Staten Island man stands accused of possessing child pornography, according to the NYPD and a criminal complaint.

Police identified the suspect as Joseph Perrone, an FDNY member who was off-duty at the time of his arrest at his home on Wednesday at about 5 p.m., according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

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NYPD: 3 TEENS ARRESTED WITH GUN

Police arrested three suspects and seized a loaded gun during a car stop in the 121st Precinct. (Courtesy of NYPD)

A traffic stop led to the recovery of a gun and the arrest of three teens in Graniteville, according to police.

Officers pulled over a 2009 Mazda on Thursday around midnight at the corner of Sanders Street and Forest Avenue, according to a spokeswoman for the NYPD.

A loaded, .22-caliber Phoenix Arms gun was recovered during the incident, which resulted in the arrest of three boys ages 17, 16, and 14, according to the police spokeswoman.

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COPS DETAIL ALLEGED CRIME SPREE

A Great Kills man stole an SUV and brandished a hunting knife while trying to rob Dominos Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, and Stop & Shop locations in a four-day crime, authorities allege.

Then, when cops caught up with Joseph Bianchino, 34, of Exeter Street, and tried to pull him over, he struck an officer with the stolen car, police say.

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HES SENTENCED IN TRANSIT CENTER GROPING

First, he groped a man in the Eltingville Transit Center, said police.

Then, weeks later, Vondell Cox followed a mother and her children from the Staten Island Railway station in New Dorp and shoved the woman and her 7-year-old daughter to the ground, authorities said.

Now hes off to a jail cell.

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NYPD ARRESTS 18 AMID BROOKLYN SLAYINGS

The Brooklyn District Attorney and NYPD announced Tuesday more than a dozen arrests of young men with alleged gang ties in connection with a recent surge in violence. (Staten Island Advance)Staff-Shot

Eighteen young men, and a few teenage boys, with alleged ties to gangs in Brooklyn, were arrested this week in connection with multiple shootings and killings part of an overall surge in violence over the past year across New York City.

The suspects allegedly fall under an umbrella group called the 900 Gang, which operates out of public housing complexes in Bedford-Stuyvesant; some accused of shooting at gang rivals on sight for the sake of territorial dominance, the Daily News reported.

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Arrests in store burglaries, robberies: Staten Islands top crime stories of week - SILive.com

LANDSLIDEBy Susan Conley

Wolves, low-snouted and hungry, haunt Thoreaus The Maine Woods. He startles at their howls, as if a hundred demons had broke loose, and parses the tree line for their silhouettes, though they never appear. The literature of American exploration is filled with the baying, prowling creatures in novels like Willa Cathers My ntonia, James Fenimore Coopers The Last of the Mohicans and especially Laura Ingalls Wilders Little House series, where children learn to fear them symbols of Americas wild spirit, pushed farther and farther from society by man and machinery. Wolves are a lost bit of America.

In Susan Conleys Landslide, Jill Archer, a documentarian who lives on a small island in Maines Penobscot Bay, refers to her two sons as the wolves. Seventeen-year-old Charlie and 16-year-old Sam arent dangerous, per se, but there is a snappish, feral quality to them; they snarl and pick fights with her, whine for pasta or sandwiches, wander lonely just outside her periphery. Like Thoreaus creatures, theyre remote and misunderstood, constantly out of reach.

Jills husband, Kit, one of the few remaining fishermen in their coastal town, has been hospitalized in Nova Scotia after the engine of the swordfishing boat he was working on exploded, breaking his right femur and potentially ending his career. In the wake of his accident, uncertainty destabilizes the entire family. Sam posts a photo of himself smoking pot and begins failing tests. Charlie burrows into a fantasy life with his girlfriend and her cozy family. Jill sputters and flails, wondering how to usher two boys through the gantlet of 21st-century masculinity.

Deterioration marks every aspect of Landslide, which is enveloping and warm, if slightly undercooked and sometimes flat-footed. The romance of Jill and Kits courtship the sweet, early years, when they used kerosene lamps and made clearings for the gardens and built the woodpile up at their creaky island home has had the polish rubbed off after almost two decades. Their love is baked in but negotiated: Kit is at sea for weeks, enamored of who he is when he commands a vessel and carries on his family lineage. Trauma has rubbed away at Sams sense of self; two years earlier, he watched his closest friend fall between the boards on a crumbling bridge and drown in the water below. Now he has what his counselor calls a willingness to self-sabotage. Their town is a picture postcard of iconic New England, except commerce has been erased by a collapsing ecosystem and industry. At one point their own dock even floats away.

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On a Bucolic Maine Island, Life Can Be Rocky Especially With Teen Boys - The New York Times

Temptation Island is back on Tuesday night, February 16. In order to get back on the air, the reality television show had a long strange trip. Of course, anyone paying attention over the last year probably understands why the trip was so strange.

Host Mark L. Walberg and a new set of couples Erica Washington and Kendal Kirkland, Erin Smith and Corey Sobczyk, Kristen Ramos and Julian Allen, Chelsea Orcutt and Thomas Gipson. are headed to Maui. Once there, theyll be joined by 24 singles who are looking for love. As is usually the case, the four couples will have to decide whether or not to stay together, or hook up with one of the singles looking to steal away a mate.

Speaking to TV Insider, Walberg spoke about how hard it was to get to production for this upcoming season.

We started taping at the end of September. There was delay after delay, so COVID was really crippling us, he told the site.

He added that eventually, the showrunners were able to find some synergy. The Temptation Island producers took steps to avoid delays, as well as to avoid anyone on the cast getting sick.

We were in a very strict bubble. What happened with our cast and crew was this cohesiveness that we would not have had being in separate hotels all over the island, Walberg said. As far as the cast goes, they are usually sequestered anyway. So it wasnt any different in that regard.

Walberg also talked about what it was like to work through a quarantine. He said that once everyone got through the waiting period, everyone on the cast felt safer. Because they were then in a kind of bubble they knew the chances of anyone catching the coronavirus was very slim.

We had 3,600 COVID tests and zero positives. From the cast standpoint, once they moved into the villas and started their life there, I think it was a relief, Walberg added. They were able to live as if there wasnt a raging pandemic out there.

After everyone was settled in, it was time to simply get down to business. Walberg said that after everyone felt comfortable, the cast could act as though everything was normal. Because they were sequestered, the oddity of a pandemic never really intruded.

Thats good for the audience. It might be less of a positive for couples who are trying to stay together.

Temptation Island will see the four groups try and work out any relationship issues. The 24 singles will be looking to introduce some of those specific issues in an effort to snag someone new. Walberg, of course, isnt giving any hints on what he thinks the outcomes will be.

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Temptation Island Was 'Crippled' By COVID But Adapted - Tv Shows Ace - TV Shows Ace

HONOLULU Ace Hardware Corporation announced that HouseMart Ace Hardware store locations in Hilo, Keaau, Naalehu, Rancho and Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island have all achieved designation as a Pinnacle Performance Retailing stores for its outstanding performance. Developed as part of Aces retail-growth strategy, Higher Ground, Pinnacle Performance Retailing is focused on Aces customers to ensure that Ace stores deliver on its helpful brand promise.

For more than 96 years, Ace Hardware has been serving its neighbors with helpful service and quality products. With more than 5,300 stores in approximately 70 countries, the teams at these HouseMart Ace Hardware stores are five of only a few hundred Ace retailers to achieve this elite status. To achieve Pinnacle Performance Retailing, the teams at these five HouseMart Ace Hardware stores successfully completed a number of key performance drivers focused on quality, service and convenience, helping them provide a better overall shopping experience in their local community.

One example of a proven performance driver is Helpful Certification, the foundational element of Aces Certified Ace Helpful retail-training curriculum. To become certified, Ace Hardware associates complete courses such as Helpful 101 and 201 and the store conducts a week-long, team-based certification event.

HouseMart Ace Hardware stores have been recognized by the communities as the Best Hardware Store in both West Hawaii and East Hawaii.

The HouseMart group is also a strong partner in raising funds for Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, Hawaiis only Childrens Miracle Network Hospital.

Achieving Pinnacle Performance Retailing is a tremendous accomplishment for an Ace store, said John Kittell, vice president, retail operations and new business, Ace Hardware Corporation.

Were pleased to recognize these five HouseMart Ace stores on Hawaii island and their associates for their outstanding achievements, and proud to say they are a part of the Ace family.

The teams at Hilo, Naalehu, Rancho, Keaau and Kona are incredibly pleased to have earned the status as a Pinnacle Performance Retailing store, said Marcel Bekers, COO at HouseMart Ace Hardware.

What this means for our customers is that we are more committed than ever to providing the best possible retail experience, from customer service to quality product offerings and more. Were taking Ace helpful to a new level.

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Island ACE Hardware stores get recognition - Thegardenisland.com

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah A womans body was recovered on Antelope Island after officials said she sustained fatal head injuries during a trail run.

Utah State Parks Lt. Eric Stucki said the 40-year-old woman was dropped off by her husband around 6:30 a.m. Friday with a plan in place to pick her up later in the day at a designated meeting point.

She ran northbound toward the west side of the island and made it as far at the Split Rock/Elephant Head area before suffering fatal head injuries.

Stucki said she was on rocky ground, but didnt exactly know how she sustained those injuries.

At 6 p.m., the womans husband called authorities after she failed to appear at their meeting place.

Davis County Search and Rescue, as well as a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter, were then called out.

Her body was eventually located and recovered late Friday night.

Stucki said this was a tragic case where she did everything right had a plan, told someone where she would be and when she would be back, etc. and it just ended tragically.

The victims identity has not been released.

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Womans Body Recovered On Antelope Island After Fatal Trail Run Injury - ksltv.com

After years of battling depression, anxiety, and chronic pain, my younger son, Alan Ross Jacobs, died on Jan. 10, 2015, from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

Three months later, I attempted suicide by overdosing on pills and alcohol in the hopes that I could be with Alan again. As a result of my failed suicide attempt, New York State incarcerated me in a mental institution.

For 21 days, I was confined in an environment that was degrading, stultifying, and downright depressing.Its six years since my discharge from the hospital, and I have not made another attempt on my life. Sadly, Emily a very beautiful young woman I met in the hospital took her life a year after her discharge. She was one of 130 suicides that occur each day. Emily was only 40 years old.

Why were our outcomes so different?

At least part of the reason can be found in what psychologists refer to as self-determination theory.

According to this theory, peoples need for competence, connection and autonomy must be fulfilled if they are to grow and change. These three needs were utterly unmet in the psychiatric hospital.

First and perhaps foremost, institutionalization stripped us of autonomy. In the hospital, our every move was dictated by the staff when and where we slept and ate, the clothes we wore, the toiletries we used, the books we read, even whether we could open a window.In addition to taking away our autonomy, hospital policies suggested that we were not competent to make any decisions for ourselves.

If we sought explanations particularly explanations about the drugs we were given we were told that non-compliance would lead to increased time in the hospital. Emily already had feelings of incompetence.

During her early school years, she had struggled to succeed because of dyslexia. That early struggle had left her feeling inept.

On the other hand, Id had a good deal of academic and professional success throughout my life which gave me a strong sense of my own competence even while the hospital made me feel as if I was incapable of taking care of myself.Furthermore, my hospitalization can be seen as resulting from a loss of connection. My younger sons fatal accidental overdose had left me reeling from the loss of a vital connection.

I was fortunate that my feelings of connection to my family increased during my hospitalization. My son flew up from Atlanta and visited every day. My sister, niece, nephew and boyfriend called constantly.

Emily didnt have a sense of connection to her family. She was divorced, and her husband was in jail. Her parents were also divorced and lived far away as did her brother. They never visited and rarely called.

Emily expressed to me her fear of being alone when she returned home. In the hospital, we were surrounded by people and noise but many patients go home to a silent, empty house.Discharged patients are, in a sense, set adrift and lose the sense of connectedness. Sometimes the patient interprets the return of emotional distress even after being treated in a hospital as a sign that there is no help to be had, no hope for recovery or improvement. At least in my case, my older son was going to stay with me for a few days after my discharge.No wonder many mental health professionals today are calling for treatment that prioritizes autonomy, empowerment and respect for the person receiving services.

To help patients find a way to go on living, therapeutic approaches must give patients a sense of their value by giving them respect and treating them with dignity. Hospitals must also give the patients some autonomy so that they learn to deal with living on their own.Its time for hospitals to turn to a new way of preventing repeat suicide attempts.

You can read more about my experiences in Broken: How the Broken Mental Health System Leads to Broken Lives and Broken Hearts available on Amazon.

Linda Comac

Williston Park

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Readers Write: Preventing repeat suicide attempts - The Island Now