Monthly Archives: February 2021

With the introduction of the new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, we wanted to take a look at the long-running SUV's history. And while this Pathfinder is more of an evolution of the previous model, it turns out that the SUV's history is a topsy-turvy one filled with wholesale reinventions.

In quick summary, the Pathfinder went from a body-on-frame, truck-like SUV, to a unibody crossover, back to a body-on-frame SUV, and then back to unibody construction. The flip-flopping finally stops with the fifth generation 2022 Pathfinder that made its debut yesterday, which retains the same unibody construction as the previous Pathfinder.

This Pathfinder is the enthusiast darling of the bunch. It started as a two-door, later added a set of rear doors, and shared a front end with the venerable Nissan Hardbody pickup. The rugged body-on-frame chassis meant big off-road performance in this little SUV. Its hard not to love this Pathfinders design. From the three-slot grille to the unique window design and greenhouse, its an attractive fellow. Even the four-doors looked good with the intriguing C-pillar-mounted door handles, a feature that became a signature design for both the Pathfinder and the later Xterra. Available engines included a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.0-liter V6, the latter of which maxed out at 153 horsepower after an update for 1990.

A series of commercials featuring the Pathfinder taking the road less traveled to Rio de Janeiro helped catapult the Pathfinder into the enthusiast space and even helped set the tone of selling SUVs as adventure vehicles a story weve heard told countless times since. You can see one of the commercials in the series above, and the last commercial in the series on YouTube here.

The 1996 Pathfinder switched to unibody construction and went a very different way in styling. It was still relatively boxy, but with a clear aero slant. It no longer looked like a pickup turned SUV. Appealing to the masses with a better ride and less-focused purpose saw sales rise for the big crossover.

Another big update came in the 2001 model year where the Pathfinder, now featuring an updated exterior from the 1999 model year, adopted its first VQ-series engine the 3.5-liter V6. Power rose dramatically to 240 horsepower, which is the single biggest jump in the vehicles history.

Things would change dramatically once again in 2005. Just under 10 years from the unibody Pathfinder coming into existence, it went back to body-on-frame construction. Not only that, but the styling switched from its aero look back to a chiseled and blocky off-road vehicle style taken from the Frontier pickup. It used a modified version of the F-alpha platform that also underpinned the new Frontier, Armada and Titan. A 4.0-liter V6 with 266 horsepower was standard, but a 5.6-liter V8 eventually made it under the hood it made 310 horsepower, 388 pound-feet of torque and could tow up to 7,000 pounds.

In addition to being more utilitarian for hitting the trails or towing things, it also gained a third row of seats. Nissan has kept the third row around ever since.

Surprise! Another massive switch-up was in store for the 2013 Pathfinder as it ditched the truck platform for a unibody strategy once again. This Pathfinder is the one we had up until yesterday when Nissan finally pulled the wraps off its fifth-generation car. In addition to the platform change, the design went from tough and rugged to blob-like. The 3.5-liter V6 engine it had was rated for just 240 horsepower (less than both outgoing engines), but fuel economy went up drastically at a time when gasoline was brutally expensive. It also offered a hybrid powertrain for the first time, but that model was discontinued after just one year on sale.

Nissan dropped any off-roading or adventure pretenses with this model. It still offered all-wheel drive, but it was nothing like the enthusiast off-roaders offered in previous generations. Instead, it appealed to families looking for tons of cargo space and three rows of seats. A mild refresh in 2017 improved the looks, but only by a little.

That brings us to the current generation of Nissan Pathfinder. It keeps the same unibody platform and construction as the outgoing model, but Nissan does move the design needle. It tries to appeal to fans of the original Pathfinder with its three-slot opening in the front, but its an effort in appearance only.

For the full download on Nissans new Pathfinder, make sure you read our in-depth reveal post where we cover the car from bumper-to-bumper.

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The topsy-turvy history of the Nissan Pathfinder - Autoblog

Local

Feb. 2, 2011: The Freeborn County Law Enforcement Center installed a secured drop box in the lobby for the disposal of drugs.

Feb. 4, 1991: Alan Clark, brother of music show personality Dick Clark, appeared at the Constant Reader Bookstore in Albert Lea. Clark was in town to promote his latest volume of Rock N Roll Legends. A Tribute to Eddie Cochran Never to be Forgotten. Cochran was born in Albert Lea on Oct. 3, 1938.

Feb. 3, 1961: The Freeborn County Historical Society voted unanimously to proceed with fund raising for a museum.

National

1783: Britains King George III proclaimed a formal cessation of hostilities in the American Revolutionary War.

1789: Electors chose George Washington to be the first president of the United States.

1861: Delegates from six southern states that had recently seceded from the Union met in Montgomery, Alabama, to form the Confederate States of America.

1913: Rosa Parks, a Black woman whose 1955 refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala., city bus to a white man sparked a civil rights revolution, was born Rosa Louise McCauley in Tuskegee.

1944: The Bronze Star Medal, honoring heroic or meritorious achievement or service, was authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1962: St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital was founded in Memphis, Tennessee, by entertainer Danny Thomas.

1974: Newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst, 19, was kidnapped in Berkeley, California, by the radical Symbionese Liberation Army.

1976: More than 23,000 people died when a severe earthquake struck Guatemala with a magnitude of 7.5, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

1983: Pop singer-musician Karen Carpenter died in Downey, California, at age 32.

1997: A civil jury in Santa Monica, California, found O.J. Simpson liable for the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

1999: Amadou Diallo, an unarmed West African immigrant, was shot and killed in front of his Bronx home by four plainclothes New York City police officers. (The officers were acquitted at trial.)

2004: The Massachusetts high court declared that gay couples were entitled to nothing less than marriage, and that Vermont-style civil unions would not suffice.

2011: President Barack Obama appealed to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to focus on his legacy and begin an orderly process to relinquish the power hed held for 30 years; however, Obama stopped short of calling for Mubaraks immediate resignation. Iraqs prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, said he would return half of his annual salary to the public treasury in a symbolic gesture that appeared calculated to insulate him against anti-government unrest spreading across the Middle East.

The rest is here:

This week in history: Historical Society votes to move forward with fundraising for museum - Albert Lea Tribune - Albert Lea Tribune

Posted: Feb 5, 2021 / 10:36 PM MST / Updated: Feb 5, 2021 / 10:36 PM MST

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KTSM/KRQE) Than man suspected of killing a New Mexico State Police officer had an extensive criminal history, including drug charges, according to authorities.

NMSP identified as Omar Felix Cueva, 39, as the man who shot and killed Officer Darian Jarrott Thursday afternoon an attempted traffic stop on Interstate 10 near Deming.

During a news conference Thursday night, New Mexico State Police Chief Robert Thornton spoke of Cuevas criminal past and said he was on his way to a drug deal.

He had a violent criminal history, Thornton said. Nothing was located here in the state of New Mexico, but he does have a violent criminal history to include drug trafficking and some other charges that would rise to the felony level.

NMSP told KTSM Cueva had an extensive drug history in California:

KTSMs sister station KRQE News 13 in Albuquerque has uncovered multiple federal court records showing 39-year-old Omar Felix Cueva pleaded guilty to charges in drug cases in 2002 and 2010.

Cuevas criminal history happened mainly in California. New Mexico State Police provided a mugshot of Cueva indicating he was arrested by the San Bernadino County Sheriffs Office at some point in 2008.

According to the Bureau of Prisons website, Cueva was released from federal custody in August 2019. State Police said Thursday night they believe Cueva lived in the Deming-area and was driving to Las Cruces Thursday with the intention of either buying or selling drugs.

Officer Darian Jarrott was assisting Homeland Security Investigations when he pulled over Cueva, according to NMSP. Thats when investigators said Cueva shot and killed Jarrott.

He was conducting a traffic stop, we are aware of that, Chief Thornton said. As far as the investigation and what exactly occurred, were still sifting through that and trying to figure out exactly what happened, but it was a traffic stop (Jarrott) was on.

Cueva then lead police on a pursuit that ended on I-10 in Las Cruces. A Las Cruces police officer used a PIT maneuver to stop a white truck driven by the suspect. In witness video obtained by KTSM, it appears to show Cueva exiting the vehicle and opening fire at police once his truck was stopped. Officers returned fire on Cueva and he was killed.

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Suspect in NMSP officers death had an extensive criminal history - KTSM 9 News

WARSAW To celebrate Black History Month, the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is sharing the unique history that took place within the county.

For example, did you know:

Americas first anti-slavery political party was organized in Wyoming County at the Warsaw Presbyterian Church in 1839.

Wyoming County grew to have the second largest number of conductors or station masters in New York State after Monroe County. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 made it illegal to harbor or help fugitive slaves.

For that reason, the events of the Underground Railroad were shrouded in secrecy. The accounts in Wyoming County were gleaned from the records of town historians, private family letters and known publications.

Though many of the buildings that were involved in the railroad no longer stand, there is sufficient evidence to document the part Wyoming County played in helping escaped slaves find freedom. Called Shooflies, those who played a role in the Underground Railroad often led double lives businessmen by day, conductors at night.

They spoke in code: a depot was a safe house; freight or packages were slaves. They built hidden boxes in wagons, trap doors in floors, false walls and tunnels in their homes and barns.

The Underground Railroad followed waterways where escaped slaves could hide, sometimes using reeds to breathe underwater.

The watery refuge caused the hunting dogs tracking the runaways to lose the scent. Slaves learned where these waterways came out and they followed signs, sometimes the constellations in the night sky sometimes the patterned squares of quilts hung on fences and trees pointed the way.

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Black History Month: Wyoming County was active on the Underground Railroad - The Daily News Online

LEE COUNTY

With Vice President Kamala Harris election, she conquered many firsts. Now, Black women and girls have someone to look up to and theyre speaking about what it means to them.

As the world watched the inauguration, so did little girls here in Southwest Florida. They noticed that shes the first Vice President who looks like them.

Amyria-Rose is one of those little girls. That makes me feel happy, she said. Full of joy!

Chymora Richey is eight-years-old. I was happy because she was the first Black Woman.

Autumn Small, is seen and she says she appreciates the solidarity. She stands up for other women, Small said.

Seven-year-old Autumn Small said that watching Kamala Harris become the first Black and South Asian woman elected as Vice President was such a powerful moment that she couldnt wrap her head around it.

I did watch some of it but it got too interesting and then my head started filling about too much about her and I forgot about math and reading at school, Small said.

Then she got to thinking and dreaming about what she could become.

I would love to have a Black girl presidentas president because its giving me an opportunity to be a president, said Small.

WINK News reporter Breana Ross asked Autumn if she wants to be President or a government official when she grows up.

Kinda but I dont want to fill out paperwork, Autumn said.

As these little girls watched history be made, their moms watched with them, both proudly and emotionally. Finally, their daughter got to see a different world than they saw. One that exists without limits placed on girls and particularly little Black girls.

Vasha Tolbert is Chymoras Aunt and Charlies mom. We do have a right to dream big and seeing those dreams being fulfilled. Thats a great step forward and thats a conversation Im now being able to have with my daughter and my niece, Tolbert said.

Sheretta Toomer is Amyria-Roses mother.I am beautiful. I am smart. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am all things good and I will succeed, Toomer said.

With Harris taking office, Toomer says she believes her daughter has a new reason to believe she will succeed.

I think that it gives all little girls hope that little girls can be whatever they want to be. Its not only men now. It opens the door for a girl and I think thats priceless, she said through tears.

And, of course, another reason to be proud during Black History Month. History is in the making. Its not just whats happened before us. Its whats happening before us right now in the moment, Toomer said.

This is a moment little girls all over the world will always remember and proves that they can be whatever they want to be.

The girls also told Breana that they arent sure what they want to be when they grow up. But, their moms say having a role model in the White House gives them hope and gives their girls the confidence they can be whatever they want to be.

The rest is here:

Vice President Harris inspiring Black women and girls everywhere during Black History Month - Wink News

TYLER Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) has a proud heritage which dates back to1928 and has published a book which shares its more than 92 years of history titled From Cotton Pickerto Store Keeper.

I am excited to have our story shared with our partners, customers and communities, said BradBrookshire, chairman and CEO for Brookshire Grocery Co. My grandfather wholeheartedly believed itwas his God-given calling to serve others through the grocery business, and this book illustrates our 92-year commitment to carrying on his great legacy. Our customers and employee-partners can take greatpride in knowing they play an important role in our incredible story that continues to unfold.

Told from the perspective of long-time employee, Jim Powell, the book shares how BGCs companyfounder W.T. Brookshire, nicknamed Cotton Picker from having worked in his familys fields pickingcotton through his childhood, started the first Brookshires store and built a regional grocery businessthat surpassed everyones wildest dreams. Rich with local and Texas history, the BGC story features thepersonal experiences of BGC partners and the many innovations in the food industry throughout thedecades. Customers and partners will enjoy reading the unforgettable and inspiring book about BGC astory first and foremost about family.

The softcover (paperback) books are being sold for $10 each at all Brookshires, Super 1 Foods, SpringMarket and FRESH by Brookshires stores. All proceeds are being donated to the Brookshire GroceryCompany Partners Care Fund which is a Direct Grant program managed by the United Way of East Texaswhich helps employee-partners who are facing financial hardship due to a qualifying event and, as aresult, do not have the ability to maintain their basic living expenses.

Based in Tyler, BGC is a regional family-owned grocery business that employs close to 16,000individuals throughout Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. The company operates more than 180 storesunder the Brookshires, Super 1 Foods, FRESH by Brookshires and Spring Market banners, along withthree distribution centers and corporate offices.

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Brookshire Grocery Company publishes book to share 92-year history - Weatherford Democrat

The Cape Ann Museum will be hosting three outdoor walking tours throughout the month of February.

"During a time of continued concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the one-and-half hour tours offer participants a safe and engaging way to learn about the rich history of Cape Ann" Ashley Elias, for the Museum, said.

The tours will explore the life and careers of artists Edward Hopper and Fitz Henry Lane in Gloucester and the evolution of religious and spiritual life on Cape Ann.

Saturday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m.: A guided tour through the Lane Gallery to the Lane House

Saturday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m.:The evolution of spiritual communities walking tour

Saturday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m.:"Hopper's Houses" Walking Tour

Each tour is led by a knowledgeable Museum docent who will guide participants along a route through the city focusing on the chosen topic.

Tours are held rain or shine and participants are required to wear face masks. Cost, which includes museum admission, is $10 for CAM members and $20 for non-member.

Register at capeannmuseum.org/events.

A leafy welcome

Backyard Growers haswelcomed Jessica (Jess) Reid to take on the role of program coordinator as they seek to connect peopleand communities through access to healthy food.

"We are elated to welcome Jess to the team at Backyard Growers," said Program Director Corrine Lippie. "She is a dynamic new addition with deep food systems and farming experience. As we grow the Backyard Growers team, we will also be able to deepen our work and impact in the community."

Reid is a Massachusetts native who has worked on agricultural projects everywhere from Vermont to Madagascar. She graduated from Saint Michaels College after studying anthropology with a focus on farming and food systems. Looking to pursue work that combined these interests, she joined the Peace Corps as an Agriculture Extension Agent in Madagascar in 2018.

After two years working abroad, Reid will manage Backyard Growers' garden sites, which includes nine community and partner gardens and nine school garden sites from preschool through high school. She will develop and deliver trainings, workshops and outreach to support a diverse service population of children, seniors, and families as they grow their own food through the organizations community and backyard garden programs.

Working with Lippie, she will also build upon a strong foundation of existing programs and expand the organization's capacity to connect low- to moderate-income individuals and families through new initiatives.

Backyard Growers was founded by Executive Director Lara Lepionka in 2010. Now based at 3 Duncan St. in downtown Gloucester, the organization manages vegetable gardens in all Gloucester Public Schools and connects students from pre-K through high school to experiences that help them shape healthy behaviors. Backyard Growers has also built 400 raised garden beds across Gloucester, providing the resources and training for low- to moderate-income children, families, and seniors to grow their own food.

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Talk of the Times: Touring the rich history of Cape Ann - Gloucester Daily Times

COVID-19 is more deadly than most other pandemics that have hit the U.S., except for the one in 1918.

SAN DIEGO COVID-19 is more deadly than most other pandemics that have hit the U.S., except for the one in 1918. As of January 22, coronavirus had killed 410,000 people in the country. The 1918 Flu Pandemic took 675,000 lives, and health experts aren't expecting that many deaths this time.

But COVID has been much, much worse than the 1968 Influenza Pandemic which killed 116,00 people, and the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic which killed 12,469.

When you look at COVID-19 compared to other deadly diseases, it hasnt killed quite as many people. As of January 22nd, COVID's 410,000 people have died in not quite a year. The average death toll in 2020 for Hearth Disease was 655,000 and 606,520 people die of cancer.

Compared to people lost during famous moments in history, COVID is right up there. For instance, in World War II the U.S. lost 405,399 military casualties.

So as President Biden pointed out, on January 22nd we already passed World War II American casualties. 58,000 members of the military were killed in Vietnam, a number that coronavirus deaths surpassed early on.

On September 11, 2,988 people lost their lives in the attack. By mid-January, more people were dying every day in the United States to COVID-19.

Originally posted here:

Comparing COVID-19 to other deadly diseases in U.S. history - CBS News 8