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California's epic snowmelt means cold, deadly torrents ahead of Memorial Day weekend

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:12 GMT

California rivers fed by this winter's massive Sierra Nevada snowpack have been turned into deadly torrents, drawing warnings from public safety officials ahead of the Memorial Day weekend's traditional start of outdoor summer recreation.At least seven people, including two children, have died or gone missing this spring in the grasp of powerful rivers plunging down from California's towering mountain range, and there have been numerous rescues.“This year we’re seeing higher water, faster water and colder water,” said Capt. Justin Sylvia, a fire spokesperson in Sacramento, which is crossed by the American River.Sacramento has already had 20 water rescues this year, nearly as many as all of 2022, Sylvia said Tuesday as crews practiced swift-water rescues on the lower American River near its confluence with the Sacramento River. Southern California man drowns in Colorado River Memorial Day weekend is typically one of the busiest, if not the busiest, times of the year, and “floating ...

THE 10 DISPENSARIES & DELIVERY SERVICES YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:12 GMT

There are over 7000 cannabis dispensaries in the US. Add those to the 2500 or so in Canada, and North America accounts for 96.8% of the world cannabis market (statista.com). Consumers here are becoming more informed and educated about cannabis and the myriad of products available as they gain better access to retail establishments. Whatever kind of experience you are looking for, sophisticated or fun, boutique or bodega, the right dispensary (or delivery service) is out there. We weeded through the best in the country to find our top 10.#1 GOLDLEAF MEDICAL DISPENSARY – MARYLANDGoldleaf dispensary provides the amenities and aesthetics found in top resorts around the world. The only difference between a 5-star resort and Goldleaf is the price. Priding themselves on affordability, they understand their patients’ needs and deliver every time.Vibe:  Sophisticated, sleek, innovativeServices:  In-store, curbside pick up, Tesla-powered deliveryFact:  Goldleaf has recently expand...

Oakland: Pedestrian dies after being struck on Interstate 980

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:12 GMT

OAKLAND — A person died late Thursday after they were struck by a vehicle while on foot on Interstate 980 near downtown Oakland, according to the California Highway Patrol.Authorities were alerted to a collision at the 12th street onramp on eastbound I980 at about 10:52 p.m. Thursday. A vehicle collided with a pedestrian, leaving the person dead at the scene.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Preliminary hearing set for Bay Area man charged with first-degree murder for striking, killing bicyclist Crashes and Disasters | Deadly Highway 17 crash leaves lanes blocked near downtown Campbell Crashes and Disasters | Coroner IDs man and woman killed in Highway 1 crash near Castroville Crashes and Disasters | Livermore: Driver killed in four-car crash on I-580 Crashes and Disasters | Teen held to answer for Peninsula DUI crash that killed passenger It’s currently unknown why a pedestrian was on the ro...

3 drivers come to aid of CHP officer during fight with suspect on freeway

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:12 GMT

Everardo Navarro was driving his Tesla along Main Street in Santa Ana, headed to a personal-development seminar, when he noticed a California Highway Patrol officer directing a man to walk away from the entrance to an on-ramp to the 5 Freeway.Navarro, 42, of Los Angeles watched on Friday, May 19, just after 5 p.m., as the man began walking away — but soon returned and attempted to grab at the officer’s motorcycle, he recalled on Wednesday, May 24.When he saw the confrontation turn into a fight — and the officer pinned to the ground — he got out of his car.“In that moment, I just ran toward the officer and I punched the (suspect) in the ribs, but it seemed like he didn’t even feel it,” Navarro said. “I was more concerned about the guy grabbing the officer’s gun and shooting him.”Everardo Navarro, 42, of Los Angeles, was one of three men who helped a California Highway Patrol officer get a suspect into custody during a physical fight in Santa Ana, May 19. (Courtesy of Everardo Navarro...

One dead, another wounded after shooting in Antioch

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:12 GMT

ANTIOCH — One person died and another was wounded Thursday night after gunfire broke out following what police said they believe was a domestic incident.Antioch police Lt. John Fortner in a statement said a 39-year-old woman died at the scene after appearing to be shot twice in the head. Authorities did not identify her immediately Friday morning, pending notification of family.The homicide is the third one investigated in 2023 by Antioch police.A 43-year-old man also involved in the shooting suffered at least two gunshot wounds to his legs and was taken by ambulance to a hospital, Fortner said. There was no update on his condition early Friday.Police said whoever fired the shots was gone from the scene by the time officers arrived. Fortner said it appears from initial evidence gathered by officers that the suspect and the victims knew each other.“This homicide is likely domestic (violence) in nature,” Fortner said in his statement.Officers responded to the 4400 bl...

New report says Cal State has $1.5 billion funding gap, suggests tuition hikes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:12 GMT

The nation’s largest public four-year university is presently incapable of affording itself.A 70-page report nearly a year in the making by leaders of the California State University details the massive gulf between the money the system currently generates from tuition and receives in state support and the actual costs of educating its nearly 500,000 students and employing 60,000 workers.All told, CSU’s revenues account for only 86% of the system’s overall costs — a gap of nearly $1.5 billion in 2021-22. Support for student services is the least funded relative to costs, at just 68%. The analysis is based on a highly technical set of assumptions and system data. That gap doesn’t even include Cal State’s roughly $6 billion backlog in construction maintenance projects.A central premise of the report is that the CSU cannot afford to do the things it should be doing to help students succeed.“The model explains why there never seems to be enough money to pay for what the universities thi...

Travel Troubleshooter: American Queen Voyages takes five months to process refund

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:12 GMT

DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: I’m looking for a refund from American Queen Voyages. Our cruise from Memphis, Tennessee, to New Orleans was scheduled for Nov. 27. On Sept. 20, we received an email informing us that American Queen had canceled the cruise. I requested a refund of our $6,396. American Queen said that the refund would take up to 60 days.Christopher Elliott, the Travel Troubleshooter We emailed our sales representative two months after the cancellation to inform her that we hadn’t received our refund. We also called the phone number attached to the email and spoke to a representative who explained the refund process and said that we should have our full refund by the middle of December.The next day, we received an email from the CEO of American Queen Voyages, confirming that we would receive a full refund by the end of the calendar year. But, by the end of the year, we still hadn’t received the money. I sent an email to the CEO and requested evidence...

This free app finds just-canceled permits for Yosemite, other California parks

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:12 GMT

Got a burning itch to hike Yosemite’s Half Dome but can’t get one of those permits, worth their weight in gold? You might try your luck with WildPermits, a free service that pings you the moment someone cancels a permit to Yosemite or other popular parks in California and the Pacific Northwest.The service is the creation of Michael Feger, a recent San Francisco State University grad from Milpitas who enjoys backpacking in Yosemite National Park and Inyo National Forest. “Over the years, backpacking has gotten much more popular, especially after Covid,” he says. “It has gotten to the point where you have to pay to enter lotteries just for a small chance of getting your desired permit.”Feger says he has nothing against this system, being a necessary measure for natural conservation. But like many outdoor enthusiasts, he finds the process of snagging a permit exhausting.“For lower-traffic areas, there are systems in place where permits are rele...

Important offseason looms for Jonathan Kuminga — whether he returns to the Warriors or not

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:12 GMT

Jonathan Kuminga was once viewed as the top high school talent in the nation. Between his size, strength and undeniable athleticism, he was projected to be a future perennial All-Star.Kuminga’s talent and upside were two of the biggest draws for the Warriors when they drafted him seventh overall in 2021.But with two NBA seasons under his belt, Kuminga has yet to solidify his spot in the Warriors’ rotation.Kuminga admitted several times throughout the course of the season that he was frustrated with his wavering playing time. Shortly after the Warriors’ season came to an end, The Athletic reported that Kuminga would be seeking a trade if he was not guaranteed a larger role with the team next season. That set the tone for what should be a big offseason for the springy 20-year-old wing who feels he still has a lot left to prove.Kuminga’s sophomore season didn’t turn out the way he had hoped. With so many veteran players leaving in free agency, there was a ...

Trial date still unsettled for Fremont man charged with 2018 gun battle with Vallejo cops

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:12 GMT

A Solano County Superior Court judge has rescheduled a trial-setting for a Fremont man charged with trying to kill a Vallejo police officer during a 2018 Oakland gun battle following a high-speed pursuit from Vallejo into the East Bay city.Court records show Dominic James Milano, 44, appeared May 12 in Department 2 for more proceedings in the case, but Judge Daniel Healy, who earlier vacated a January trial, ordered the defendant to return at 8:30 a.m. July 7 for another trial-setting in the Justice Building in Vallejo. The judge also will hear some in limine motions, requests that certain testimony be excluded.Milano is represented by Deputy Public Defender Nick Filloy, and Deputy District Attorney Edward W. Lester appeared on behalf of the Solano County District Attorney’s Office for the May 12 matter. Filloy has filed a brief on the admissibility of various evidence.As previously reported, Milano’s pending court dates follow a preliminary hearing in 2020.Afterward, Chief Deputy D...