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In this photo provided by Francisco Rodriguez, Bryce Kenning sits atop his car that fell into the Skagit River after the collapse of the Interstate 5 bridge there minutes earlier Thursday, May 23, 2013, in Mount Vernon, Wash. (AP Photo/Francisco Rodriguez)

Thousands of bridges across US at risk of freak collapse

Saturday, May 25, 2013

SEATTLE — Thousands of bridges around the U.S. may be one freak accident or mistake away from collapse, even if the spans are deemed structurally sound. The crossings are kept standing by engineering design, not supported with brute strength or redundant protections like their more modern counterparts. Bridge regulators call the more risky spans “fracture critical,” meaning that if a … 0

FILE - In this Tuesday, July 19, 2011 file photo, Jonathan Decker, right, and Charlie Woolsey tear a roof off a tornado-damaged home in Joplin, Mo. during cleanup efforts nearly two months after an EF-5 tornado destroyed much of the town. After 161 people died in an EF-5 tornado in May 2011, the city strengthened its building codes. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Can Tornado Alley become safer? Yes, within limits

Friday, May 24, 2013

In the wind-swept prairie called Tornado Alley, the scene is eerily familiar: Homes smashed to splinters. Trees and telephone poles snapped like twigs. Piles of bricks, overturned cars and dazed survivors sifting through rubble in search of a precious photo or heirloom. A town in ruins. On Monday, it was Moore, Okla. Two … 0

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford reads a statement to the media at City Hall on Friday, May 24, 2013 in Toronto. Ford denied that he smokes crack cocaine and says he is not an addict after a video purported to show him using the drug. Ford did not say whether he has ever used the drug. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)

Toronto mayor denies he smokes crack cocaine

Friday, May 24, 2013

TORONTO (AP) — Toronto Mayor Rob Ford denied Friday that he smokes crack cocaine and said he is not an addict after a video purported to show him using the drug. The mayor of Canada’s largest city did not say whether he has ever used crack. Ford did not take questions from reporters … 0

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Cody Baglow, left, and Jonathan Traester of Amherst celebrate after Amherst scores Friday against Northampton during a lacrosse game at Northampton High School. SARAH CROSBY Amherst eliminates rival Northampton from playoff contention
Craig Murdock, Bridge Street School physical education teacher, and second grader C.J. Ryznic take a lap around the playground during recess Wednesday as part of the "Feelin' Good" walking program. Many students run the first two laps for one "punch" on their mile marker card. Twenty punches fills the card and marks five miles completed. KEVIN GUTTING Running buddies
About 350 people attended the annual Health and Safety Fair held Thursday at the Northampton Senior Center. The event offered information about the services and resources — including respite, adult day programs, and in-home care — that are available in this area. Those who attended were also able to learn about specific health conditions; here, Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School student Paige Petersen of Huntington, 16, checks a blood pressure reading for Janice Cromack of Hadley. SARAH CROSBY Getting a checkup
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