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Rats running rampant along L.A.'s historic Olvera Street

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:43 GMT

Merchants along Los Angeles' famed Olvera Street say an increase in homelessness coupled with an infestation of rats are threatening their livelihoods.Video shared with KTLA shows rodents crawling along streets, sidewalks and under vendor stands, scavenging for food. Dead rats are everywhere, merchants say.“Part of the problem here is there is such a bureaucracy the way the city operates,” Edward Flores, owner of Juanita’s Café, told us. “There doesn’t seem to be any staffers here that are tasked with gathering them up.”Video shared with KTLA shows rodents crawling along streets, sidewalks and under vendor stands, scavenging for food. Oct 2023. Homeless tents and the surrounding areas, Flores says, are filled with food and human waste, and that has allowed the rat population to boom in an area frequented by tourists looking to dine and shop.Many vendors say they barely survived the pandemic and can’t afford any more setbacks.“They need to be more aggressive about this and try to thi...

Beachgoers urged to avoid swimming at these L.A. County beaches as autumn heat wave moves through region

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:43 GMT

Even though it's officially fall, Southern California is still experiencing summer-like weather as an autumn heat wave moves through the region.Residents hoping to escape the heat by heading to the beach are advised to avoid water-related activities at certain locations, officials announced Friday. Why some California beaches are always considered ‘dirty’ Officials with the County of Los Angeles Health Department are urging beachgoers to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters at the following locations:The entire swimming areas at Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro and Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey.100 yards up and down the coast at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica100 yards up and down the coast near the storm drains at Venice BeachThe warnings were issued since bacterial levels exceeded health standards when last tested by experts.However, it’s not all bad news since high bacterial warnings were cleared at the following locations:Malibu Point at Surfrider Beac...

Devin James Kilcoin Killed in Rollover Garbarge-Truck Crash on East Los Reales Road [Tucson, AZ]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:43 GMT

28-Year-Old Man Pronounced Dead after Rollover Commercial Truck Collision near South Alvernon WayTUCSON, AZ (October 6, 2023) – Tuesday afternoon, Devin James Kilcoin lost his life in a rollover accident involving a garbage truck on East Los Reales Road.The incident took place at the intersection of South Alvernon Way and East Los Reales Road at approximately 2:00 p.m. Initial reports indicate that Kilcoin was a passenger in a 2004 GMC C7500 garbage truck traveling north on Alvernon Way.For reasons yet unknown, the truck abruptly swerved, ultimately drifting onto the shoulder and eventually rolling over.Medical responders arrived at the scene and pronounced the 28-year-old Kilcoin deceased. Meanwhile, the driver was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition.An active investigation is ongoing to uncover further details about the incident. Additional information will be provided once it becomes available.In this sorrowful time, the Sweet James team would like to extend t...

Raymond Smith Fatally Struck in Motorcycle Accident on Old Spanish Trail Road [Vail, AZ]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:43 GMT

57-Year-Old Man Killed in Motorcycle Collision near Pistol Hill RoadVAIL, AZ (October 6, 2023) – Saturday night, a motorcycle accident claimed the life of Raymond Smith on Old Spanish Trail Road.At approximately 7:45 p.m., officers rushed to the scene, located just west of Pistol Hill Road.The circumstances leading to the accident are currently under investigation. Smith was traveling west on the eastbound lanes of the road when he collided head-on with an eastbound vehicle near Pistol Hill.Responding paramedics transported 57-year-old Smith to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.In addition, medical personnel attended to the driver of the eastbound vehicle, who sustained minor injuries. However, police have not yet disclosed the driver’s identity or place of residence.During cleanup and initial investigation, emergency crews temporarily closed off the surrounding area. Further details will be shared once they become available.The team at Sweet Ja...

Fact check: Has NY set a murder record? Not even close

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:43 GMT

By Daniel Dale | CNNFormer President Donald Trump falsely claimed Thursday that murder and violent crime in New York have hit record highs.Trump made the claim on his social media platform while attacking New York Attorney General Letitia James over her civil fraud lawsuit against him, which led to the trial that began on Monday. After denouncing James, the case and the judge presiding over the trial, Trump wrote, “All of this while MURDERS & VIOLENT CRIME HIT UNIMAGINABLE RECORDS! This is sooo bad for New York.”Facts First: Trump’s crime claim isn’t close to true. Murder and violent crime aren’t anywhere near record highs in New York, either the state or the city.Trump has made false claims about supposed crime “records” a regular part of his playbook for attacking prosecutors who are pursuing cases against him.When Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was leading an investigation of Trump, which resulted in a criminal indictment in March, Trump falsely claimed that violent ...

Letters: Keeping her word | Newsom’s promise | State spending

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:43 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Dianne Feinstein wasbound by her wordDianne Feinstein came to my parents home in 1977. My father and brother were arrested for destroying a swastika on the Nazi bookstore on Taraval Street in the Sunset. A demonstration was planned to “free the Weiss Men” in San Francisco.Dianne sat with my family to make promises. She said that the charges against my father and brother would be dropped and that a swastika would never be allowed to be displayed in San Francisco. As she sat in our living room with my parents and other Holocaust survivors she displayed a warmth, respect and humanity that made all of those present feel like true members of the human family and proud Americans and San Franciscans.The demonstration at the Hall of Justice was called off. The charges of malicious mischief against my father and brother were dropped. No swastika display was tolerated in the city. Dianne kept her word....

Another leak at Martinez refinery brings hazardous materials team

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:43 GMT

MARTINEZ — Health officials in Contra Costa County assured the public Friday that they didn’t believe there was any danger following the release of petroleum coke dust from the Martinez Refining Company early Friday.Related ArticlesEnvironment | At least 16 migrants killed in bus crash in Mexico Environment | Collision at major Brentwood intersection injures 12-year-old on bike Environment | Man fires gun to get wedding’s attention, shoots grandson, 12 Environment | Park Service says search for missing Point Reyes swimmer is now a ‘recovery effort’ Environment | At least 21 dead in bus crash outside Venice In a statement, Contra Costa County Health Services said a hazardous materials team investigated the reported release of the dust about 11 a.m., and determined that it likely wasn’t bad enough to cancel the city’s community events, including Alhambra High’...

Parts of West Maui to reopen to tourists on Sunday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:43 GMT

By Forrest Brown | CNNParts of West Maui are still on track to begin a phased reopening to tourists starting Sunday, October 8 – but the action comes with some controversy.A portion of the popular Hawaiian island was devastated by deadly wildfires in early August, and some residents of hard-hit Lahaina have petitioned Hawaii Gov. Josh Green to delay reopening, saying the community needs more time to heal.But as of 5:30 p.m. ET Friday, the phased reopening was still on schedule according to the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau and the office of Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen.Here’s where things stand for the tourism-reliant island heading into the weekend:What’s opening on MauiAreas of West Maui – including Nāpili, Kāʻanapali, Honokōwai and Kapalua – are part of the reopening, according the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau.However, the return of vacationers to resorts will be staggered, according to a news release from Bissen’s office. Phase I will encompass the nor...

At least 16 migrants killed in bus crash in Mexico

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:43 GMT

Associated PressMEXICO CITY — At least 16 migrants from Venezuela and Haiti died early Friday in a bus crash in southern Mexico, authorities said.Mexico’s National Immigration Institute originally reported 18 dead, but later lowered that figure. Prosecutors in the southern state of Oaxaca later said there had been an overcount due to some of the bodies being dismembered, and that the real death toll was 16.Both sources said the dead include two women and three children, and that 29 people were injured. There was no immediate information on their condition.Photos from the scene showed the bus rolled over onto its side on a curvy section of highway in the southern state of Oaxaca. The cause of the crash in the town of Tepelmeme, near the border with the neighboring state of Puebla, is under investigation.The institute said a total of 55 migrants, mostly from Venezuela, were aboard the vehicle.It was the latest in a series of migrant deaths in Mexico amid a surge in migrants trav...

1 night in a San Francisco mall yields 9 arrests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:43 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Undercover San Francisco police officers spent one evening in the city's biggest mall and busted nine retail thieves. Tuesday evening's enforcement blitz inside San Francisco Centre was part of an ongoing citywide operation by the San Francisco Police Department. "The operations are already showing promising results, with officers making dozens of arrests in recent days and recovering thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise at San Francisco’s most victimized retailers," SFPD wrote. A surge in enforcement in the city is being funded by a $15.3 million state grant aimed at combatting brazen and rampant retail thieves who plague local businesses. "Our city will not tolerate criminals ransacking our businesses," Police Chief Bill Scott said Friday. "Not only are these crimes devastating to our business community and local economy, too often we’ve seen these crimes escalate into violence."A suspected shoplifter is taken into custody at the mall. (SFPD photo) A ...