L.A. Investigates Sudden Tree Trimming Where Striking Writers and Actors Picketed

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:54:41 GMT

L.A. Investigates Sudden Tree Trimming Where Striking Writers and Actors Picketed The city of Los Angeles is investigating a sudden trimming of trees outside Universal Studios Hollywood where striking actors and writers picketed.Members of both the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have picketed in the area and there were suspicions that the tree-trimming was done maliciously and without proper city permits.L.A. City Controller Kenneth Mejia looked into the matter and said there were no permits granted for the trimmed trees.“Our Office is investigating the tree trimming that occurred outside Universal Studios where workers, writers, and actors are exercising their right to picket,”  Mejia said in a statement. “Trees are essential to providing Angelenos with significant environmental and public health benefits, especially during a heatwave.”(Via Kenneth Mejia/L.A. City Controller)Not only had no permits been granted this week, but permits had been asked for...

One Pronounced Dead Following Rollover Accident on Alameda Boulevard [Albuquerque, NM]

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:54:41 GMT

One Pronounced Dead Following Rollover Accident on Alameda Boulevard [Albuquerque, NM] Rollover Crash near Pan American Freeway Claims the Life of OneALBUQUERQUE, NM (July 20, 2023) – Late Sunday night, one person lost their life after a rollover accident on Alameda Boulevard.The accident happened around 10:51 p.m. on July 16th, near Pan American Freeway and Frontage Road.According to reports, a vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when it lost control, rolling over off the roadway.First responders quickly arrived at the scene and pronounced the driver dead due to the extent of their injuries.Authorities have yet to release any information about their identity, or any other parties involved at this time.Furthermore, the fatal crash on Alameda Boulevard closed multiple lanes for several hours as clearing operations took place.At this time, authorities have not released further updates however an active investigation is still ongoing.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. Deepest condolences and sympathies are wit...

Octavio Pedrisco Rivas Pronounced Dead Following Wrong-Way Crash on Highway 101 [Sonoma County, CA]

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:54:41 GMT

Octavio Pedrisco Rivas Pronounced Dead Following Wrong-Way Crash on Highway 101 [Sonoma County, CA] 36-Year-Old Wrong-Way Driver Dies after a Deadly Collision near GeyservilleSONOMA COUNTY, CA (July 20, 2023) – Thursday evening, a wrong-way crash on Highway 101 killed Octavio Pedrisco Rivas.On July 13th, just before 9:50 p.m., a reported wrong-way crash on U.S. Highway 101 near Geyserville was responded to by the police.According to CHP Officer David deRutte, a Nissan Sentra was headed southbound in the northbound lanes near Dutcher Creek Road.Furthermore, the Nissan collided head-on with a GMC Yukon driven by a 45-year-old man headed northbound.Consequently, both the Nissan and the GMC were engulfed in flames and the driver of the GMC was trapped. He was later extricated by firefighters.As a result, the driver of the GMC suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.Meanwhile, the wrong-way driver, later identified as 36-year-old Octavio Pedrisco Rivas, died at the scene, confirmed by responding authorities.Also, the author...

RFK Jr. defends himself against accusations of racism, antisemitism

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:54:41 GMT

RFK Jr. defends himself against accusations of racism, antisemitism By Lisa Mascaro and Ali Swenson | Associated PressWASHINGTON — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. worked to defend himself Thursday against accusations that he traffics in racist and hateful online conspiracy theories, testifying at a House hearing on government censorship despite requests from outside groups to disinvite the Democratic presidential candidate after his recent antisemitic remarks.The Republican-led Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government is amplifying GOP claims that conservatives and others are being unfairly targeted by technology companies that routinely work with the government to try to stem the spread of disinformation online. Democrats argued that free speech comes with responsibilities not to spread misinformation, particularly when it fans violence.In opening remarks, Kennedy invoked his famous family’s legacy in decrying the complaints of racism and antisemitism against him.“This is an attempt to censor a censorship hearing,”...

Former Berkeley resident pleads guilty to setting 3 Lake Tahoe fires

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:54:41 GMT

Former Berkeley resident pleads guilty to setting 3 Lake Tahoe fires A former Berkeley resident pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to setting fires in the Lake Tahoe region in 2020, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of California.Douglas Gregory Edwards, 37, pleaded guilty to setting three separate fires July 5, 2020, on federal land known as the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Antioch police Chief Steven Ford to step down Crime and Public Safety | East Bay motorhome driver suspected of hitting more than two dozen cars in heavy traffic Crime and Public Safety | Skeletal remains found at UC Berkeley’s Clark Kerr Campus were those of homicide victim, police say Crime and Public Safety | Man found shot to death inside crashed vehicle on Oakland street Crime and Public Safety | Bicyclist killed in Oakland hit-and-run is identified Edwards was arrested that same afternoon one-quarter mile...

Police: Woman arrested after allegedly trying to hire hitman to kill her 3-year-old son

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:54:41 GMT

Police: Woman arrested after allegedly trying to hire hitman to kill her 3-year-old son Jazmin Paez, pictured, is accused of trying to hire a hit man to kill her 3-year-old son.(Miami-Dade Corrections Department) BY WFOR WEB STAFFMIAMI, Florida (WFOR) — A woman accused of trying to hire a hit man this week to kill her 3-year-old son has bonded out of jail.Jazmin Paez, 18, of Miami, is charged with first-degree solicitation of murder and third-degree using a communications device for an unlawful use, according to court documents.Investigators said they were contacted on Tuesday by a man who operates a fake hire-an-assassin website to report that the woman had contacted the operator to arrange a murder-for-hire for the young child. According to police, the website founder created the online site to catch and curb those looking to hire a killer.Police said the suspect provided the address for the child and his picture to help facilitate the request.According to investigators, the woman asked that the job be completed by Thursday.Police traced the IP of the comp...

Senate panel OKs stronger ethics standards for Supreme Court

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:54:41 GMT

Senate panel OKs stronger ethics standards for Supreme Court By Mary Clare Jalonick | Associated PressWASHINGTON — The Supreme Court would have to abide by stronger ethics standards under legislation approved on Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee, a response to recent revelations about donor-funded trips by justices. The bill faced united opposition from Republicans, who said it could “destroy” the court.The legislation has little chance to make it through the full Senate.The panel voted along party lines to set ethics rules for the court and a process to enforce them, including new standards for transparency around recusals, gifts and potential conflicts of interest. Democrats first pushed the legislation after reports earlier this year that Justice Clarence Thomas participated in luxury vacations and a real estate deal with a top GOP donor — and after Chief Justice John Roberts declined to testify before the committee about the ethics of the court.Since then, news reports also revealed that Justice Samuel Alito had taken...

Bay Area’s hottest places to be hit with another brief heat wave

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:54:41 GMT

Bay Area’s hottest places to be hit with another brief heat wave Triple-digit temperatures are expected to make a return engagement — albeit, a short one — to the hottest parts of the Bay Area beginning Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.They also won’t feel quite as intense as they did during a three-day stretch last weekend, forecasters said.“Overall, we’re starting to get the more consistent summer-time temperatures, so people and their bodies are having some time to adjust to it,” NWS meteorologist Sean Miller said Thursday morning. “Also with this one, we’re only going to heat up for day or two. It’s not going to stay warm at night. So it just won’t be quite as intense. It’s still gonna be hot.”A heat advisory for the far inland areas and valley areas was set to begin at 11 a.m. Friday and run through 11 p.m. Saturday.The Bay Area Air Quality Management District also extended an air advisory for the region through Thursday. The advisory Wednesday was prompted by smo...

California scores another winning ticket to a huge jackpot

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:54:41 GMT

California scores another winning ticket to a huge jackpot Another ticket to a huge lottery jackpot was sold in California — perhaps the luckiest state in the nation.A single ticket that matched white balls 7, 10, 11, 13, 24 and red Powerball 24 in Wednesday’s drawing for $1.08 billion was sold at Las Palmitas Mini Market at 1205 Wall Street in Los Angeles, lottery officials said.Related ArticlesCalifornia News | $1 billion Powerball jackpot winning ticket sold in California; three Bay Area players get 5 out of 6 numbers California News | Mega Millions players win $287,200 each in Oakland and San Jose California News | Before you play in an office lottery pool, read this California News | Powerball Jackpot soars to $1 billion after no winner in Monday’s drawing California News | A $900 million jackpot is up for grabs in Monday night’s Powerball drawing That means three winners of the last 10 largest jackpots bought tickets in the Golden State. The wi...

Bay Area air quality advisory extended through Thursday

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:54:41 GMT

Bay Area air quality advisory extended through Thursday SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- An air quality advisory that was issued for the Bay Area for Wednesday afternoon has been extended through Thursday, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The advisory is due to wildfire smoke from southwestern Oregon. Smoke from the Flat Fire continues to blow into the region this afternoon and evening, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, which issued the advisory."Smoky, hazy skies may be visible across the Bay Area and the smell of smoke is possible at higher elevations, especially the East Bay, North Bay and Santa Clara Valley regions," the BAAQMD said. 4 Bay Area restaurants receive new Michelin stars No Spare the Air Alert has been issued however, because pollutant levels aren't expected to exceed the national 24-hour health standard, BAAQMD added.The air district said it will closely monitor air quality throughout the region for smoke impact from the Flat Fire and other wildfires.If the smell of smoke is pr...