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The Swiss women’s water polo team will take part in a European Championship next year for the first time in 30 years.

In the last match of the qualifying tournament in Novi Sad, the Swiss women beat Ukraine 10:7 and finished in 2nd place in the four-team group behind the hosts Serbia.

The Swiss women will be taking part in a European Championship in 2026 for the third time after 1993 and 1995, but for the first time since the introduction of qualifying rounds. The venue is not yet known.

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At the Class B state qualifier meet hosted by Batavia at VanDetta Stadium on Friday, Section V presented the Devin Snyder Class B2 MVP awards based on last week’s sectional results. 

The boys’ track MVP was Cameron Garofalo, and the boys’ field MVP was Sheldon Siverling. For the girls, the track MVP was Karizma Wescott, and the field MVP was Ella Shamp.

The Devin Snyder award is named in memory of Devin Snyder, an outstanding student-athlete from Wayland-Cohocton who excelled in track and field, as well as other sports, during her varsity career. The award is presented by Section V to recognize top track and field athletes in various classes, honoring Snyder’s legacy and contributions to the sport in the region.

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Who needs a beach vacation when North Texas serves up white sands, lobster rolls and even a roaming herd of goats? This week’s top reads prove that local life knows how to surprise, whether it’s real estate making waves or schools making deals. With summer heating up, now is the perfect time to lean into the unexpected — and maybe pick up a few fun facts for your next dinner conversation.

Plano City Council recently approved the $8.4 million purchase of two former elementary school properties from Plano ISD. The deal, part of an interlocal agreement with the district, includes the sites of Davis Elementary and Forman Elementary schools. READ MORE

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Maine lobster meets live jazz this summer at Eddie V’s in Plano. Running through July 25, the Golden Nights Summer event blends indulgence and ambiance with a limited-time pairing: a lobster roll, a glass of wine and a side of sultry live music. READ MORE

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At Windsong Ranch, you can spy sunseekers strolling along white sand beaches as electric turquoise waters from a vast lagoon lap their feet. Atop the oceanic ripples, kayakers plunge their paddles into deep waters as paddleboarders skim across the surface in full view of those loafing in sand-lodged lounge chairs or spiking serves on the beach volleyball court. READ MORE

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The culinary minds behind celebrated North Texas restaurants Rye and Apothicary are back in Collin County with a bold new concept. Flamant, a European-inspired live fire cocktail bar and bistro, is now open at 5880 State Highway 121 in Plano at the Boardwalk at Granite Park. READ MORE

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If you’re out for a stroll along McKinney’s Wilson Creek Trail and think you hear bleating instead of birdsong, you’re not imagining things. This month, the city welcomed 450 goats to take over landscaping duties between Bonnie Wenk and Al Ruschhaupt Parks. READ MORE

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*SnowBrains carries some affiliate marketing links, which means we earn commission on sales of some products when users click through a link from the site. Affiliate partnerships do NOT influence our editorial content.

Father’s Day is next Sunday, June 15. If you need help with what to buy the skiing Dad in your life, below is a list of gift ideas for all budgets.

1. Insta360 X5

The Insta360 X5 is here, redefining what’s possible in 360° capture as the smartest and toughest camera of its kind. Unlock unlimited creativity with immersive 8K 30fps 360° video, powered by larger 1/1.28″ sensors for stunning clarity and detail. Whether you’re shooting in daylight or low light, the new PureVideo Mode ensures exceptional performance. Built to withstand your wildest adventures, the X5 features tougher, replaceable lenses and is waterproof to 49ft (15m). Capture every angle with confidence using InstaFrame Mode, enjoy clearer audio thanks to the new Wind Guard, and never miss a moment with a 3-hour battery life and fast charging to 80% in just 20 minutes. The invisible selfie stick effect delivers epic third-person views, while FlowState Stabilization and 360° Horizon Lock keep your footage ultra-smooth. With quick magnetic mounting, fast and easy editing in the new Insta360 App V2.0, and seamless file backup, sharing, cloud editing, and more through an Insta360+ subscription, the X5 is your all-day, all-angle creative powerhouse.

Insta360 X5 is available to order today via Insta360.com and select retailers worldwide.

2. Noc Provisions Standard Issue Waterproof Binoculars—The Ultimate in Backcountry Line-Scoping

Waterproof, fog proof, light, compact, and durable—the Noc Provisions Standard Issue Binoculars 10×25 were born for adventure. Noc Provisions sources Swiss optical engineering technology for the Standard Issue Binoculars, aka ‘Nocs,’ such as its authentic Bak4 Prisms and Fully Multi-Coated lenses, which provide a bright, wide field of view wherever you go.

I was looking for a pair of binoculars I could take ski touring with me this spring for scoping backcountry lines and decided to test out the Nocs 10×25. I believe it was the best decision I could’ve made in this regard.

3. Skigee

As the name suggests, this is a squeegee for your goggles. We all know how frustrating it is when you can’t see while skiing. Wet snow and freezing fog can drastically reduce your visibility. The soft rubber construction won’t scratch your goggles. I never ski without one. I put it on my pole strap, so it is always readily available. You can pick one up for less than $3, or most resorts and ski shops will have them near the front counter.

4. Powder Baskets

Pole baskets’ function is to ensure your poles don’t sink too deep into the snow. Most ski poles come with a standard-size basket. This is fine for many snow conditions, but once the powder day comes, you want them wider. This is one of the simplest upgrades you can make. So, unless you are a ski racer, get some powder baskets and swap them out for your standard ones. They still work great on a hardpack day, and you can usually find them for about $10.

5. Cat Tracks

Your ski boots are arguably your most important piece of required gear, so why not protect them? Cat tracks keep your soles from wearing down when you are walking. Not only that, but they make it more comfortable when walking and provide a grip on snow and ice. $20, and you’re all set.

6. Ski Lock

If you’ve ever had your skis stolen while taking your lunch break (like I have), then you know the value of keeping them safe. Skip the hassle and cost of ski check service and get one of these compact locks. Most locks have a relatively thin cable, which can be easily cut with the right tool. However, it is a significant deterrent that will make a thief move on to one of the dozens of skis that aren’t locked. Less than $20 is worth the peace of mind.

7. Phoozy

The snow, freezing rain, and other wintery conditions can drain your phone battery. Don’t let that happen with the Phoozy. It is made from the same material NASA uses for spacesuits. It will extend your battery life in both cold and hot conditions, and protect your phone from drops. It also floats in water. $30, and you can extend your battery life up to 3X (versus not using it).

These are nice to have for the deepest of powder days. Powder leases are colorful trailers that deploy on top of the snow if you lose a ski in an (unlikely) fall. Finding a ski buried in powder can be extremely burdensome, not to mention wasting valuable time while others are getting face shots.  Don’t be the person walking down the mountain carrying one ski. Pick these up to ensure you can find your ski and your dignity.

Remove moisture and odor after your ski day with these boot dryers. They will set you up for your next ski day by ensuring your boots are dry and ready to go. Simple convection drying with light heat means it removes moisture without causing damage. These are a must for me, especially when I’m on a ski trip and skiing multiple days in a row. They pack easily too. Pro tip: plug them into your car’s auxiliary power outlet while driving up to the mountain and put on a warm, dry boot in the parking lot.

Don’t just throw your skis in your car or box top and rely on your ski brakes to keep them together in transport. Use these $6 straps to prevent damage. They are also handy in the backcountry or anywhere to secure, bundle, or repair anything.

11. Two-Way Radios

Having a reliable way to communicate with your group while skiing is highly desirable. It is frustrating to get separated from your partners and have no way of knowing where they are. Even with good cell phone service, it is much easier to use these classic push-to-talk radios. A cheap pair will do the trick just fine. For a higher-end radio that can attach to your outerwear, check out the BC Link 2.0 or the Rocky Talkie.

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