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California hires security guards to monitor 10 Freeway following fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

Since an arson fire at a storage yard damaged a key Los Angeles freeway, security guards hired by the state have been keeping watch for smoke and other trouble at three additional sites beneath Interstate 10 that were leased to the same bankrupt businessman.Associated Press journalists visited the properties and saw wooden pallets and other hazardous and flammable material much like what fed the Nov. 11 inferno under the freeway, which is used by 300,000 vehicles daily. Rats scurried beneath cars, trucks and RVs in various states of repair as electrical wiring snaked across the ground.The state has subcontracted the security services as it fights to evict Ahmad Anthony Nowaid and scores of tenants subleasing through him in violation of his contracts with the California Department of Transportation (or Caltrans), according to court records.They are due back in court this month.Firefighters battle a massive fire near an overpass in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 11, 2023. (RMG)This phot...

10 busted in South L.A. prostitution sting, LAPD says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

The Los Angeles Police Department arrested 10 people Thursday in an area of the city that is considered a hotspot for prostitution and sex trafficking. The LAPD's Southeast Area Vice Unit conducted a sting operation Thursday afternoon using undercover officers posing as commercial sex workers. LAPD closes 2023 with 5 arrests in prostitution ring During the operation, officers arrested ten people for solicitation for the purpose of prostitution, who were all cited and released.They've been identified as Elmar Veliz, 23; Luis Pedro Pusul, 32; Alfred Steve Ramirez, 20; Marco Antonio Solano Jr., 33; Jesus Alberto Tamayo, 21; William Perez, 35; Rodolfo Martinez, 50; Billy Joel Hernandez, 24; Gerardo Arellano, 44; and Delby Josue Zuniga, 36.All ten are residents of Los Angeles, police said.The Southeast Area Vice Unit runs prostitution stings targeting sex purchasers and human traffickers along the Figueroa Corridor in South Los Angeles, a region of the city notorious for illegal sex wo...

'World of Color-One' to return to Disneyland Resort

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

Disney’s “World of Color – One” will return to Disney’s California Adventure Park beginning on Jan. 19, the resort announced on Friday.The show, which debuted during the Disney100 celebration, is the first Disneyland Resort nighttime spectacular to feature characters and music from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, the Avengers and Star Wars all in the same production. Disneyland to resume Magic Key annual pass sales next week “World of Color-One” tells the story of how a “single action – like a drop of water – creates a ripple that can grow into a wave of change,” a news release said.“Hurry Home – A Lunar New Year Celebration,” a water show, will be shown before “World of Color-One” during the resort’s Lunar New Year celebration. Lunar New Year at Disney’s California Adventure Park will run from Jan. 23 through Feb. 18."Hurry Home – A Lunar New Year Celebration" returns, presented before "World of Color – One" in Disney California Adventu...

NRA chief Wayne LaPierre steps down ahead of trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The longtime head of the National Rifle Association said Friday he is resigning, just days before the start of a civil trial over allegations he treated himself to millions of dollars in private jet flights, yacht trips, African safaris and other extravagant perks at the powerful gun rights organization's expense.Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president and chief executive officer, said his departure is effective Jan. 31. The trial is scheduled to start Monday in New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit against him, the NRA and two others who've served as executives. LaPierre was in court this week for jury selection and is expected to testify at the trial. The NRA said it will continue to fight the lawsuit, which could result in a further shakeup of its leadership and the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee its finances.“With pride in all that we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA,” LaPierre said in a statement re...

Letters: Violent crime | High-speed losses | Provoking liberals | Worst instincts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Increase penaltiesfor violent crimesRe: “Cop murder suspect has killed before” (Page A1, Jan. 4) and “Fourth suspect arrested in probe” (Page A1, Jan. 5).Just these two articles suggest that we could save many lives and reduce crime without spending any money for more police by keeping dangerous people in jail (which includes all the cops who commit crimes and get away with it).There is an easy solution: increase by five times the sentences for people who commit violent crimes or property crimes with a gun. Why don’t politicians do it?We’re stuck in this nonsense choice between fighting crime by adding cops and incarcerating homeless and addicted people or pursuing justice reform by keeping actually dangerous people out.Roberto GarutiWalnut CreekState should cut losseson high-speed railRe: “Let’s make California’s high-speed rail work” (Page A9,...

Once a ‘murder capital,’ East Palo Alto celebrates a year without killings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

For decades, East Palo Alto experienced more than its share of homicides — sobering statistics that once gained it notoriety as “America’s murder capital.”Today, however, the small Peninsula city with a population of 30,000 boasts a new distinction: In 2023, for the first time in its 40-year history, it had zero homicides for the year.“Together, we celebrate a momentous milestone in 2023: the East Palo Alto community, once marked by adversity, has triumphed with zero murders this past year,” the city’s Police Chief, Jeff Liu, trumpeted in a statement this week.For Mayor Antonio Lopez, the 29-year-old city leader who was born and raised in East Palo Alto, it was an “emotional” moment — something he never imagined witnessing in his lifetime.“You know, I’ve seen friends get caught up in gangs — folks who, if they would have lived in another ZIP code, might have had another opportunity, another chance to better themselves,” said Lopez, who was elected to the City...

Adidas store at San Francisco Centre set to close

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Another major retailer is leaving downtown San Francisco. Global sneaker giant Adidas is closing this month. The Adidas location's last day of business will be next Saturday, Jan. 13, a company spokesperson said in an email to KRON4. Prior to the closure, all items in the store will be 50% off with exclusions for certain select items, Adidas said. Adidas is located at the San Francisco Centre mall at 865 Market St. in the city's downtown area which has seen a number of store closures throughout recent years. University of California to consider opening downtown SF campus Last year, major retailers such as Old Navy and Nordstrom closed their respective downtown San Francisco locations for good. Other companies to close their downtown San Francisco stores include Express, LEGO, Whole Foods and AT&T.Despite the closures, other major retailers have also opened up stores in downtown San Francisco. Furniture retailer IKEA opened a location on Market Street ...

Eastbound lanes on Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to close for pothole repairs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

(KRON) -- One westbound lane and two eastbound lanes on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge will be blocked off Friday and Saturday night as crews worked to repair a pothole. The closure will be in effect nightly from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next morning, according to Caltrans.A prior closure on Thursday caused traffic to build up on the bridge. Adidas store at San Francisco Centre set to close Two left eastbound lanes on the bridge are scheduled to be closed from Monday, Jan. 8 through Thursday, Jan. 11. Those closures will also be in effect from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly.The right westbound lane on the bridge will also close on those same days and times next week, Caltrans said. Those lane closures are needed to perform repairs on the westbound bridge deck.During construction hours, the bicycle lane on the westbound Richmond-San Rafael Bridge will also be closed to allow Caltrans crews to complete their work.

San Jose father accused of causing Baby Phoenix's death pleads not guilty

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

(KRON) -- A San Jose father who is charged with the fentanyl overdose death of his infant daughter, Phoenix Castro, pleaded not guilty to all charges on Friday, prosecutors told KRON4.A Santa Clara County judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for David Anthony Castro to begin on January 16.The 3-month-old infant, referred to in court documents as "Baby Phoenix," died on May 13 in a home littered with illicit drugs, according police and prosecutors. The father called 911 and was the only parent at home at the time, the San Jose Police Department said.The District Attorney's Office charged the 38-year-old father with felony endangering or injuring the health of a child, and a special allegation of corporal injury of a child resulting in death.Phoenix's mother, Emily De La Creda, died of a fentanyl overdose just two months after her baby died, according to court documents. The father's behavior during his daughter’s short life demonstrated "clear disregard" for Phoenix’s health and wel...

Urban Putt to open new location in San Jose

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

(KRON) -- Urban Putt announced this week that it has shut down its San Francisco location, but fans of the mini golf spot will soon be able to enjoy it at a new place. Urban Putt confirmed to KRON4 that it is opening a new course in San Jose. San Jose's Urban Putt will have its grand opening on Feb. 1 and will be located at 201 South Second St. That is several blocks west of San Jose State University. Giants acquire former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray in trade with Mariners The previous Urban Putt was located at 1096 South Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco's Mission District. It had been open since 2014.“Urban Putt would love to thank the thousands of customers who have visited us down in the Mission since 2014 and all of the team that brought it to life,” it said.In its place, another mini golf course will open up. Holey Moley, which already has a course in Denver, is expected to open at the same place in early 2024. San Jose's Urban Putt will be located across the city from the Sout...