New England Patirots fans, from left, John Bilodeau, Kent Haney, and Stephen Schendel watch players in the Super Bowl LII interview area at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Feb. 2, 2018. Bilodeau, Haney and three others left Massachusetts at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday and drove 1420 miles in 22 hours in a Kia Sedona. "It was comfortable -- seats five," said Haney. They are staying in Faribault. Haney predicts a Patriot win, 31-17. Schendel, right, is from Maple Grove. (Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press) Fans watch a Super Bowl LII interview area at the Mall of America. (Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press) Philadelphia Eagles fans Patrick O'Neill talks to family members back home and relays what's going on at the Mall of America. He and his son, Ryan, left, are from Haddon Heights, N.J. "We've been Eagle season ticket holders since 1954 within the family. My grandfather started it." He and Ryan drove a 2011 Toyota Tundra pickup 1200 miles, about 15 hours, he said, as an airplane from Philly for … [Read more...] about Impressions of Minnesota: Super Bowl visitors think we are nice, yet some yearned for warmer weather
Weather
JPS board approves freezing weather makeup days
A new plan has been approved by the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees to make up the seven school days canceled due to winter weather and the resulting water crisis. March 30 and April 2, along with Feb. 19, which was originally Parent-Teacher Conference Day, will make up three of the seven days. The remaining four days will be accounted for by extending the school day one hour from Feb. 12 to April 12. This extension will allow the district to meet the students' academic needs and instructional time requirements. The Parent-Teacher Conference Day will be rescheduled.No weekend days will be used to make up the missed time and spring break and high school graduation remain unaffected as well. However, the last day of school, May 23, will now be a full day of school instead of a 60 percent day. This is due to the fact that school districts are only allowed to have two 60 percent days per school year and JPS had two 60 percent days on Dec. 22, 2017, and Jan. 19. … [Read more...] about JPS board approves freezing weather makeup days
Cooper: Jean-Baptiste weathers storm, selects Ohio State
HACKENSACK – The snow might have done Ohio State a favor. Like a 6-foot-5 athletic-defensive-end favor.Bergen Catholic senior Javontae Jean-Baptiste went to bed Tuesday night expecting to sign his college letter of intent surrounded by his coaches and teammates at school, but snow and icy roads caused school to close.Used to chasing quarterbacks, Jean-Baptiste had to chase down a new method to sign. It also gave him time to think.“Last night my mother and I talked for a long time and we thought we came to a decision,” said Jean-Baptiste. “Then this morning, the decision was made, then we went over it again. And we thought it was best to change the decision.”Texas A&M, Nebraska, Virginia Tech and Ohio State were Jean-Baptiste’s final choices. It wasn’t clear what school he opted away from. One report said Nebraska. Another said Virginia Tech.Jean-Baptiste did say he had a long talk with Buckeyes defensive coordinator and former Rutgers coach … [Read more...] about Cooper: Jean-Baptiste weathers storm, selects Ohio State
Ninth weather-related traffic death reported in Iowa
A Bloomfield man died on Iowa's roadways Tuesday evening, one night after eight others were killed in traffic accidents across the state.According to an Iowa State Patrol crash report, Christopher James Feldman, 41, was driving a Toyota Tacoma north on Highway 63 when he lost control of his vehicle near mile marker 26 in Davis County at around 10:45 p.m.Feldman's vehicle collided with a southbound 2017 Mack tractor trailer driven by Marion Zook, 61, of Ankeny. Sgt. Scott Bright of the Iowa State Patrol said it was a head-on collision.Both vehicles came to rest in a ditch on the west side of Highway 63. Zook refused treatment at the scene, Bright said.The accident is still under investigation, but Bright said the collision was weather-related.Feldman was not wearing a seat belt when the collision occurred, according to the report.The state patrol received assistance from the Bloomfield fire and police departments.Heavy snow in Iowa caused a deadly bout of … [Read more...] about Ninth weather-related traffic death reported in Iowa
Tucson weather: Above normal temperatures to continue through Friday
Warm and dry conditions will continue through the rest of the week, with high temperatures running well above normal. This weekend brings a change to the weather pattern, with temperatures dropping down to near normal by early next week. Chances of showers early next week are a possibility, but certainly not a guarantee. High: 79 Low: 48 Currently Clear, 41 Wind 0 MPH ESE, 62% humidity UV index 0.0, visibility 10.0 miles No precipitation today No lightning strikes today Today 8 am: Clear, 45 Wind 5 MPH SE, 0% chance precip. 43% humidity, UV index 0 9 am: Clear, 52 Wind 5 MPH SE, 0% chance precip. 36% humidity, UV index 1 10 am: Clear, 62 Wind 6 MPH ESE, 0% chance precip. 24% humidity, UV index 2 11 am: Clear, 68 Wind 7 MPH ESE, 0% chance precip. 18% humidity, UV index 3 12 pm: Clear, 72 Wind 7 MPH ESE, 0% chance precip. 15% humidity, UV index 4 1 pm: Clear, 75 Wind 6 MPH E, 0% chance precip. 13% humidity, UV index 4 2 pm: Clear, 76 … [Read more...] about Tucson weather: Above normal temperatures to continue through Friday