Latest news with #AMTRAK
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Experts forecast busy travel times for Memorial Day weekend
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Since Triple A began tracking travel numbers back in 2000, the record for Virginia travelers for Memorial Day weekend was 1.24 million, back in 2005. This year, projections come awfully close to that record number, and more than 90 percent of Virginians will be on the road. Factors like halted construction projects and lower gas prices work well for drivers. Triple A's mid-Atlantic spokesperson Morgan Dean said Thursday and Friday can see congested roadways with holiday travelers and evening commuters taking up space, so he recommends adjusting your travel time. 'The recommendation is if you can drive in the morning, that's your best bet,' Dean said. 'Or wait out the evening commute and drive into the evening hours or overnight hours, although if you're not somebody who likes driving in the dark, that's probably not a good place for you to be.' The Memorial Day travel rush is off to an early start AMTRAK has already seen record-setting success in March and April, and officials know historically, they see even more passengers this time of year. In order to get the best deals for Memorial Day or summer travel, booking in advance is key. 'At least two weeks in advance to get the best fares,' Karina Romero, the communications manager for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, said. 'We do have some special fares available; we have our share fares; the more passengers you bring with you, the deeper the discounts.' Expect more volume over the next few days in the airports as well. Officials recommend getting to the airport as early as possible to ensure you can find a parking spot. It's also important to remember your Real ID to save time in TSA. 'Passengers 18 and older now need a Real ID or another federal ID like a passport to travel,' Alexa Briehl, the public relations, marketing and media manager for the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, said. 'That doesn't mean you're going to be turned away; it just means if you don't have a Real ID, you're going to want to give yourself plenty of time for extra screening.' The airport hopes to finish its parking lot enhancement project for the summer travel months sometime around Independence Day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Mystery solved: Decapitated animals found near Fremont train station identified
(KRON) — The grisly mystery of a pair of decapitated animal remains found on a bench near a train station in Fremont earlier this month appears to have been solved — partially at least. On Sunday April 13 at around 2:30 p.m., AMTRAK police contacted the Fremont Police Department regarding a decapitated and eviscerated animal left on a bench at the Centerville Train Station. Land trust to purchase, preserve Bay Area nude beach property Fremont PD responded and found the animal remains on the bench, along with a nearby bag that contained a second decapitated and eviscerated animal. In both cases, it was impossible to determine the species of the animals. An investigation was launched, and a forensic veterinarian was contacted to assist. An initial examination from the forensic vet was inconclusive. As a follow-up, Fremont PD sent the remains to a specialized facility for further analysis and DNA testing. On Tuesday, Fremont PD said the remains had been examined by a forensic veterinarian at UC Davis. Results from that examination concluded that the remains were from two Dorper sheep, a common breed of sheep. Further investigation, police said, hasn't revealed any evidence of nefarious or ritualistic activity. Fremont PD said the case is being suspended as there is no evidence of a crime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
SEPTA budget cuts: Philly leaders join riders, employees in rally for full funding of transit agency
The Brief SEPTA riders, employees and state lawmakers rallied Friday against proposed cuts to SEPTA service. They say there needs to be full funding for SEPTA in the upcoming state budget. Along Regional Rail, cuts could be devastating. CENTER CITY - SEPTA officials announced their new budget proposal Thursday, which includes a total of 45 percent in service cuts and a 21.5 percent fare increase, if a new, sustainable funding solution cannot be agreed upon. Friday, Philadelphia lawmakers joined SEPTA riders and employees in denouncing the new budget proposal and pressed lawmakers in Harrisburg to step in and support the transit agency, thereby supporting riders and employees. What we know Supporters of SEPTA huddled from the rain under the Philadelphia City Hall arch Friday as they rallied for full funding for the agency now facing self-imposed service cuts in the face of limited state funding. Chants heard at high school football games were put in service of SEPTA as politicians and transit advocates gathered for that rally. City Council President Kenyetta Johnson said, "There's no way, not on my watch, not on my watch are we going to decimate the funding and services SEPTA will provide when the world will be here in the city of Philadelphia." By the numbers More than $200 million in the hole and a Republican majority in the Pennsylvania Senate pressing for cuts in SEPTA's funding, SEPTA has rolled-out an austere 2026 budget slashing services by 45 percent coming in waves. Interim SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer/Interim SEPTA General Manager said Thursday, "By January 1st, we'll begin implementing further cuts: 18 more bus routes for a total of 50 eliminated in the budget year, five regional rail lines including the Paoli-Thorndale which is one of our busiest in the system." 15,000 riders on average use the Paoli-Thorndale line on a weekday. It and four other Regional Rail lines would be scrapped, pulling 31,000 daily riders off the system. Rider Dan Die said, "In the past three years I regularly take the line. It's very convenient and affordable. I think it's a great plus for me, personally." Dig deeper SEPTA says it's targeted the five rail lines due to the $65 million yearly it spends renting the tracks from owner AMTRAK. SEPTA rider Tyler Holland said, "It would be very bad for me because I need the bus. They've got to spend the money on something, if they're not spending on that, they're not helping me." The Republican state senate leader, Joe Pittman, writes of SEPTA's budget woes, "…This burden should not be placed entirely on Pennsylvania taxpayers, most of whom do not live within the service region…" What's next Next stop Harrisburg, for the budget battle under the Capitol Dome.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Special Olympics skier receives neighborhood support
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — When skier Nick Mills heads to the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy next month, he'll have plenty of support behind him. 'I've never lived next door to an Olympian before,' Mills' next-door neighbor Russ Bartunek said. South Dakota AMTRAK support in state House resolution Mills has been skiing for more than ten years after his grandfather first introduced him to it, so when he qualified for the world games in alpine skiing, he was at a loss for words. 'When I first found out, I just started tearing up. It's hard to believe what's happening,' Mills said. When he's not on the slopes, Mills has also been a prominent figure around his neighborhood. 'When we moved into the neighborhood, Nick was the first person to greet us when we moved here, so we got to know him right off the bat,' Bartunek said. So, as Mills' trip to Italy drew near, his neighbors wanted to commemorate his accomplishment. 'We were kind of thinking how we could get behind him and show a little support from the neighborhood, and we come up with the with the idea of the yard signs,' Bartunek said. You can see a sign stuck into the frozen ground in multiple yards near Mills' home. The neighbors also signed a banner for him. 'It caught me off guard and made me super happy seeing all the support I'm getting,' Mills said 'We had more requests than we had signs, so we kind of put them up in the part of the neighborhood where the most people would see them,' Bartunek said. It's comforting for Mills to know that while he's competing over 4,000 miles away, he'll have people supporting him in Sioux Falls. 'Just makes me know I have a lot of people behind me cheering me on back at home while I'm out in Italy,' Mills said. 'Even if we have to get up in the middle of night, we'll be watching him,' Bartunek said. Mills will be competing from March 10 to the 15. To raise money for Mills' trip to Italy, there will be a ski and snowboard race at Great Bear Ski Valley next Sunday. For more information on the race and the Special Olympics World Winter Games, visit the links below: Great Bear race Special Olympics World Winter Games Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
