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Caruso calls for more to be done on smash-and-grab robberies after Americana targeted

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

When developer Rick Caruso conceded to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in last year's election, he promised that "there will be more to come from the movement we built."Now, Caruso is seeking to rally his supporters after one of his company's properties was recently targeted by smash-and-grab robbery crews, which have plagued the city in recent months.On Tuesday, the Americana at Brand in Glendale saw a crew of about 30 people steal approximately $300,000 in merchandise from a Yves Saint Laurent store, then flee in waiting vehicles. Video shows wild scene at Americana as 30-plus thieves ransack Yves Saint Laurent store In a statement released on social media Friday morning, Caruso said it's just large shopping centers that are affected, but also "small business owners who feel defeated by the lack of accountability for criminals.""The time has come to demand that our elected officials change the laws to hold criminals accountable and start enforcing the laws in a fair and equitable ...

'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back' to get special screening at TCL Chinese Theatre

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

A classic movie is getting a special screening at the end of the month at the TCL Chinese Theatre. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Selena Gomez top Instagram’s Rich List "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" will have a special screening event on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. to raise funds in support of the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation. The longtime industry charity is committed to supporting a multitude of national health and social service programs and providing financial assistance to members of the motion picture community in times of need. A woman walks past the closed courtyard in front of the TCL Chinese Theater on May 5, 2020 in Hollywood. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)Tickets are on sale now on the TCL Chinese Theatre website. They are $40 per person, which includes complimentary popcorn, a bottle of water or small soda, photo opportunities with Star Wars characters from the 501st Legion, and a Funko Pop Star Wars bobblehead giveaway. 

2 Hurt in Two-Vehicle Crash on Vanden Road [Fairfield, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

Traffic Collision Near Leisure Town Road Roundabout Left Two People HospitalizedFAIRFIELD, CA (August 11, 2023) – On Wednesday, two people were extricated from the wreckage following a two-vehicle crash on Vanden Road.Emergency personnel responded to the incident on Vanden Rd., just south of the Leisure Town Road roundabout.According to the police, a vehicle crossed the solid double-yellow line for unknown reasons and collided head-on with another car. Rescue units claimed there was only one occupant in each vehicle.Ultimately, emergency personnel transported one patient to a trauma center in critical but stable condition. The other driver was also hospitalized for minor injuries.At this time, the identities of the parties involved in the collision remain undisclosed to the public. In addition, Fairfield Officials temporarily closed down both directions of Vanden Road as crews cleared the scene.Anyone who witnessed the two-vehicle crash is encouraged to contact the local autho...

1 Airlifted after Multi-Vehicle Collision on Highway 99 [Madera County, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

One Hospitalized after Multi-Car Accident near Avenue 12MADERA COUNTY, CA (August 11, 2023) – Thursday morning, one victim was airlifted after a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 99.The incident occurred around 8:00 a.m., on the southbound lanes of the freeway near Avenue 12.Officers were investigating a northbound crash as southbound traffic began to slow down. Per reports, a semi-truck in the fast lane failed to brake on time and struck a trailer that was being hauled by a pickup-truck.The initial crash caused a chain-reaction collision, pinning a box truck driver in the wreckage. Paramedics transported one driver to a local hospital via SkyLife Air Ambulance for treatment of major injuries.In addition, Madera County police are still searching for the pickup-driver and their vehicle.Around 10:30 a.m., a flatbed tow-truck arrived and cleared out the scene. Those with additional information regarding the multi-vehicle collision on Highway 99 are asked to contact authorities a...

FTX Founder Bankman-Fried, who had been living in Palo Alto, jailed in NYC

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

By Larry Neumeister | Associated PressNEW YORK — FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was sent to jail Friday to await trial after a bail hearing for the fallen cryptocurrency wiz left a judge convinced that he had repeatedly tried to influence witnesses against him.U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan ordered Bankman-Fried’s bail revoked after prosecutors said he’d tried to harass a key witness in his fraud case last month when he showed a journalist her private writings and in January when he reached out to the general counsel for FTX with an encrypted communication.His lawyers insisted he shouldn’t be jailed for trying to protect his reputation against a barrage of unfavorable news stories.Kaplan said he had concluded there was probable cause to believe Bankman-Fried had tried to “tamper with witnesses at least twice” since his December arrest.A defense lawyer said an appeal of the incarceration order would be filed and asked for an immediate stay of the ord...

Meet ‘Famous Dave’ at San Jose competition and score some free barbecue

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

“Famous Dave” Anderson of barbecue fame is coming to San Jose.The founder of the restaurant chain that bears his name will be in town Saturday, Aug. 12, to find a worthy local pit team for his Nationwide All-Star BBQ Championship Series, and five local teams are vying for the spot.The contest, which will take place from noon to 4 p.m. outside Famous Dave’s at The Plant shopping center on Curtner Avenue, is free and open to the public. But you’ll want to arrive early for sampling — the first 200 attendees will score the free ‘cue.“BBQ is really America’s food,” and competitions like this have always led to innovation in the restaurant industry, said Dave Anderson, founder of Famous Dave’s, in announcing the contest. “Giving local pitmasters the opportunity to share a family BBQ recipe and the craft they’ve handed down for generations is what BBQ is all about and what makes it interesting. That’s why this is such a passion project ...

As DeSantis resets, some worry his message is the problem

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

By Steve Peoples, Thomas Beaumont and Michelle L. Price | Associated PressCORALVILLE, Iowa — Ron DeSantis largely dismissed his own decision to replace his campaign leadership team as he returned to Iowa in the midst of a weekslong reset. The Republican presidential hopeful also made no mention of the two rounds of campaign layoffs he made recently in response to unexpected fundraising troubles.Instead, the Florida governor on Thursday leaned into his central message — a self-described “war on woke” — and flashed a big smile as he courted an audience of roughly 200 cheering Republicans gathered at a family restaurant for the first of four scheduled stops on his latest bus tour through the first-in-the-nation caucus state.“We’re clicking. We’re doing well,” DeSantis told reporters after a fiery speech, dismissing questions about the turmoil that has plagued his White House bid in recent weeks. He said the average voter is far more focused on his pl...

Road rage encounter on I-580 near Pleasanton ends with killing near Tracy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

A road rage dispute that began on a freeway near Pleasanton ended in bloodshed when a man was found shot about 25 miles away in Tracy, authorities said.The deadly encounter began the afternoon of Aug. 4 on Interstate 580 near Pleasanton and continued east onto Interstate 205, according to the Tracy Police Department. Officers then received multiple 911 calls of shots being fired on the 700 block of West Clover Road in Tracy, after which a 61-year-old Manteca man was found with life-threatening injuries, the police department said.The man, Ryan Wood, later died at a hospital.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Sunnyvale-based dentist arrested after hidden camera is found in office bathroom Crime and Public Safety | Man charged with 15 felonies in East Bay burglary spree targeting businesses Crime and Public Safety | Man arrested after spray painting Nazi imagery on Peninsula Synagogue, vandalizing Teslas Crime and Public Safety | ...

Sale closed in Piedmont: $7.5 million for a four-bedroom home

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

61 King Avenue – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the first block of King Avenue in Piedmont has new owners. The 5,718-square-foot property, built in 1943, was sold on June 26, 2023, for $7,500,000, or $1,312 per square foot. This two-story house provides a generous living space with its four bedrooms and six bathrooms. In addition, the house features a garage. The lot of the property is substantial, measuring 0.3-acre.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:A 3,022-square-foot home on the first block of King Avenue in Piedmont sold in September 2022, for $3,260,000, a price per square foot of $1,079. The home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Sea View Avenue, Piedmont, in October 2022, a 5,992-square-foot home was sold for $9,250,000, a price per square foot of $1,544. The home has 8 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.In June 2023, a 3,249-square-foot home on Wildwood gdns. in Piedmont sold for $2,950,000, a price per square foot of $908. The home has 4 bedrooms and...

Tensions rise as West African nations prepare to send troops to Niger

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

By Sam Mednick | Associated PressNIAMEY, Niger — Tensions are escalating between Niger’s new military regime and the West African regional bloc that has ordered the deployment of troops to restore Niger’s flailing democracy.The ECOWAS bloc said on Thursday it had decided to deploy a “standby force” aimed at restoring constitutional order in Niger after its Sunday deadline to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum expired.Hours earlier, two Western officials told The Associated Press that Niger’s junta had told a top U.S. diplomat they would kill Bazoum if neighboring countries attempted any military intervention to restore his rule.It’s unclear when or where the ECOWAS force would deploy, and how reports of the threats against Bazoum would affect a decision by the 15-member bloc to intervene. Conflict experts say it the force would likely comprise some 5,000 troops led by Nigeria and could be ready within weeks.After the ECOWAS meeting, neighbo...