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The little town that builds NFL footballs — all 480,000 of them

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

In the 154 years since Princeton and Rutgers played what became known as the first official collegiate football game, the sport has become a billion-dollar industry that enraptures millions of fans every season. But without 150 people working in a small Ohio factory, the game would be a nonstarter.The Wilson Sporting Goods factory in Ada, Ohio, produces roughly 700,000 footballs – including 480,000 for the NFL – each year. By hand.Each and every football used during any professional or college football game is produced at the factory, the exclusive supplier since 1955. The balls, made from stamped cowhide – no pigskin here – are cut, sewn, manipulated and stitched by the workers who define devotion to their craft, many who have worked 40-plus years at the factory.“Our employees are dedicated and hardworking, show a passion for sports and are committed to upholding the excellence in craftsmanship that Wilson has become known for over its 100-plus year history,” says Sarah Houseknecht...

‘I consider them lazy’: Dublin introduces fines for rule-breaking real estate signs

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

Dublin’s elected officials have stepped in with new rules for displaying open-house signs in an attempt to end the bickering between real estate agents who’ve complained their competitors are flouting the rules and gaining an unfair business advantage.Complaints over the past year, officials say, included agents exceeding the number of allowable signs per property and keeping the signs up past the sunset deadline for removal.“We were hoping that the realtors would be able to solve it amongst themselves, so that it wouldn’t have to come to council,” said Mayor Melissa Hernandez during the council’s Aug. 15 meeting, when it approved an amendment to city code governing real estate signs. She added: “But it seems like now it’s getting to the point where it’s not being solved.”The new rules introduce fines for repeated violations, from $100 to $500, and a deadline to take down open-house signs by 5:30 p.m. The council also upped...

A year later, Bay Area doctor’s mission to provide abortions on a boat has yet to launch

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

The UCSF doctor who made national headlines last year for seeking to provide abortions in federal waters, several miles off the coasts of states that heavily restrict them, is still stuck on land — for now.Dr. Amy “Meg” Autry’s ambitious plan involved raising tons of money and purchasing a vessel where abortions could be offered to those living near the Gulf Coast who can’t afford to drive or fly elsewhere.But a year later, despite raising over a million dollars from small donors, she hasn’t been able to secure donations from wealthy benefactors or large foundations wary of investing in an enterprise that would almost immediately enter the legal crosshairs of states with newly restrictive abortion laws.The initiative — Protecting Reproductive Rights of Women Endangered by State Statutes (PRROWESSS ) — has made little progress, Autry said. She has yet to even acquire a boat.“With the whole legal situation here in the U.S., we could have a launch on...

Redwood City: Person struck, killed by Caltrain late Monday night

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

REDWOOD CITY — One person died after they were hit by a Caltrain late Monday night near the Redwood City station, according to the commuter rail line.The northbound train hit the person while it was approaching the station at 8:54 p.m., according to Caltrain. All 166 passengers aboard the train were moved to the platform while emergency personnel responded.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Caltrain hits, kills person while approaching Belmont station Crashes and Disasters | Caltrain strikes, kills person near Whipple Avenue No other injuries were reported.This was the 10th death of the year resulting from a Caltrain collision. The ninth was late last month, when a person was hit by a train in Belmont.

Vallejo police delay town hall addressing slow response time

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

(BCN) -- The second of two town hall meetings to discuss Vallejo police response to alarm calls that was originally scheduled for Thursday has been postponed to Sept. 14, officials said. The town hall meetings were scheduled to discuss the Vallejo Police Department's proposal to reduce response to certain unverified alarm calls, citing limited sworn officer staffing. "We have carefully examined a variety of calls for service and have determined that alarm calls have approximately a 98 percent rate of being unfounded," the department said in a press release last month. The department would eliminate calls for service to unverified alarm calls classified as audible alarm, or silent alarm, under the proposal. Vallejo police would continue to respond manually-activated panic alarms and silent robbery alarms. Tourist desperate to find French bulldog stolen in San Francisco Police would also respond to alarm calls that require both the police and fire for medical reasons. ...

Saudi Arabia says it will extend its voluntary production cut of 1 million barrels of oil a day through end of year

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia says it will extend its voluntary production cut of 1 million barrels of oil a day through end of year.Source

McIlroy begins Ryder Cup tuneup at the Irish Open. Cincinnati is last LPGA stop before Solheim Cup

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

EUROPEAN TOURHORIZON IRISH OPENSite: Straffan, Ireland.Course: The K Club. Yardage: 7,350. Par: 72.Prize money: $6 million. Winner’s share: $1 million.Television: Thursday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).Defending champion: Adrian Meronk.Race to Dubai leader: Rory McIlroy.Last week: Ludvig Aberg won the Omega European Masters.Notes: Rory McIlroy leads the field with the Ryder Cup only three weeks away. The other Ryder Cup players in the field are Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton. … McIlroy won the Irish Open in 2016. This is his 13th time playing his national open. … The K Club previously hosted the Irish Open in 2016. It is best known for holding the 2006 Ryder Cup that Europe won. … Lowry won the 2009 Irish Open when he was still an amateur. … Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald is playing, along with three of his assistant captains — Nicolas Colsaerts, Edoardo Molinari and Thomas Bjorn. …...

NFL players follow musical passion to create songs featured on Madden 24 video game

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — When Miami Dolphins tackle Terron Armstead achieved his dream of being drafted into the NFL over a decade ago, he put his musical aspirations aside.Many other pro football players did the same thing. But now, three powerhouses —the NFL, Interscope Geffen A&M Records and Electronic Arts Sports — have partnered to empower players to pursue their music dreams.The result, an extended play project called “Crowd Control,” is out Tuesday. The six songs were also inserted into Madden NFL 24, released last month. It’s the first-time music made by NFL players appears in the video game franchise, now in its 35th year.“I only knew the stigma of ‘Shut up and play’ and ‘Do your day job,’” said Armstead, a four-time Pro Bowler. “I got away from music during the early years of my career. It was a void for me because music was a way to express myself. For them to create this opportunity, it’s been great for us. This has really pushed and encouraged guys to be who they...

Find hidden art around Denver on Tuesday

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — On Tuesday, Sept. 5, look out for hidden artwork scattered across the Denver metro. If you find it, it's yours to keep. What does the mural at Left Hand RiNo mean? Art Drop Day Sept. 5 (Photo courtesy of Denver Arts and Venues)Art Drop Day in Denver (Photo courtesy of Denver Arts and Venues)Art Drop Day Denver Public Art photo drop and find 2022 (Photo courtesy of Denver Arts and Venues)Art Drop Day Denver Public Art (Photo courtesy of Denver Arts and Venues)Artists, along with Denver Arts and Venues, are leaving artwork around town for Art Drop Day. Local artists hide artwork for anyone to find and keep. It's a celebration and a way to share art with the community. The Denver City Council is also participating in the drop. Each council member will hide a small replica of Lawrence Argent’s “I See What You Mean,” also known as the big blue bear at the Colorado Convention Center, in their district.This is the sixth year Denver's hosted an art drop, and over 1,500 art...

79th Street bridge reopens following hours-long investigation after fatal multi-car crash in Miami leaves 1 dead

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

A multi-vehicle collision in Miami on Monday night claimed the life of one person while they were in the hospital as police investigated the circumstances that led to the deadly crash. Miami Police and fire rescue crews responded to the scene, located at 1200 NE 79th St., where the collision unfolded. Authorities said the incident involved five cars and a motorcycle. According to police, one person was ejected from their vehicle. Emergency responders airlifted them to Jackson Memorial Hospital for urgent medical treatment. The victim succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.A second person was possibly ejected from their car during the crash, but that information has not been confirmed by police. While the eastbound lanes on the 79th Street bridge have since been reopened to traffic Monday night, the westbound lanes remained closed for several hours. Just before 10 a.m. Tuesday, officials reopened all lanes. Officials said several individuals who attem...