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Former Councilman Ridley-Thomas May Face 6 Years In Bribery Case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:06 GMT

Former Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas could serve 6 years in prison, as was suggested by federal prosecutors.On March 30, Ridley-Thomas was found guilty of one count of conspiracy, one count of bribery, one count of honest services mail fraud, and four counts of honest services wire fraud.“This was a shakedown,” prosecutors wrote in a 32-page memo. “Not the kind in movies with bags of cash or threats of force. But the kind that is polite and pervasive. The kind that happens too often by sophisticated, powerful people. The kind to which society, sadly, has become so accustomed that it often goes unreported and rarely yields consequences for the offender but strikes a devastating blow to the integrity of our democratic system.”The defendant, Ridley-Thomas, seeks at-home probation with no prison time served.The charges could have amounted to 20 years in federal prison for each fraud count, 10 years for the bribery charge, and another five for the...

Vibes and The Last Prisoner Project Drop Release Papers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:06 GMT

Vibes and The Last Prisoner Project are releasing a new line of papers advocating for the release of cannabis prisoners. Founded by Cookies co-founder and rapper Berner, Vibes has carved a place for itself in the higher-end rolling paper scene traditionally dominated by Raw’s unbleached papers and Elements. Regardless of how difficult it is to truly claim a chunk of the rolling paper market, Vibes was able to pull it off. A variety of sizes and offerings you just don’t see from the competition also helped put the company on the map. Vibes will now turn that energy to aid the Last Prisoner Project(LPP). At the end of July, Vibes and LPP launched Release Papers in collaboration with the creatives at Mother. The papers now serve as the heart of an advocacy campaign looking to push the continued release of cannabis prisoners. “So many people are still locked up with lengthy sentences related to cannabis. While at the same time, so many states have made up their mind that cannabis ...

One Pronounced Dead Following Single-Car Crash on Highway 101 [Mountain View, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:06 GMT

Suspected DUI Crash in Mountain View Left 1 Dead; Driver ArrestedMOUNTAIN VIEW, CA (August 11, 2023) – Early Thursday morning, a single-car crash on Highway 101 claimed the life of one person.The fatal incident occurred around 3:50 a.m. in the southbound lanes of 101, leading to the southbound high-occupancy vehicle off-ramp for State Highway 85.According to the police, a black Ford Edge with three occupants crashed into a concrete wall divider.Unfortunately, the front-seat passenger in the vehicle suffered fatal injuries and responders declared them dead at the scene. Meanwhile, paramedics took the rear-left seat passenger –a 25-year-old San Pablo man – to a hospital for treatment of moderated injuries.The Ford driver, identified to be a 23-year-old man from San Jose, was taken to Santa Clara Valley Medical Hospital. At this time, the CHP is awaiting medical clearance for the driver before taking him to jail on suspicion of DUI.The Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Exa...

Several Hurt in Multi-Car Accident on Interstate 90 [Preston, WA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:06 GMT

Three Injured in Two-Vehicle Crash near Milepost 21PRESTON, WA (August 11, 2023) – Wednesday afternoon, several victims sustained injuries in a multi-car accident on Interstate 90.Police responded to the scene shortly after 2:08 p.m., near Preston-Fall City Road after receiving multiple dispatch calls in the area.According to reports, the driver of a vehicle stopped to avoid road debris when they were rear-ended by another car. Upon impact, both vehicles became engulfed in flames, igniting nearby trees in flames.Paramedics arrived and transported three victims to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. Although, authorities have not yet released their identities.Emergency crews closed off the surrounding area for a brief time before one westbound lane was reopened around 4:00 p.m. At this time, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway. Once available, more details will be provided.One small driving mistake can easily lead to a dangerous mul...

Infant Hospitalized after Head-On Crash on East Jensen Avenue [Fresno, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:06 GMT

Wrong-Way Collision near South McCall Avenue Resulted in Multiple InjuriesFRESNO, CA (August 11, 2023) – Wednesday evening, a head-on crash on East Jensen Avenue left multiple people hospitalized, including a 5-month-old baby.Officers responded to the collision around 9:10 p.m. at the intersection of South McCall and East Jensen Avenue near Sanger.Upon arrival, the officers determined that a Chevrolet Impala collided head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado pickup. According to the investigators, the Chevy Impala was speeding while traveling in the wrong way with no headlights.Responding medical personnel said the Impala driver suffered significant injuries. Meanwhile, the three occupants of the Silverado were reported to have moderate to major injuries.Ultimately, at least one individual from each vehicle was transported to a hospital. As a precaution, a 5-month-old baby was also taken to the hospital, although later reports indicated that the infant appeared to be unharmed.The Cal...

New wolf pack confirmed in Tulare County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:06 GMT

A new pack of gray wolves has been confirmed in the Sequoia National Forest region of Tulare County, a remarkable 200 miles by air from the nearest other families.The pack — which consists of at least five animals not ever seen before in California — means that between five to seven packs now live in the state, highlighting the dispersal ability of this endangered species.The precise tally is uncertain, because animals are moving into the far northeast corner of the state, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Packs have been reported in Tehama County, western Lassen County, Lassen and Plumas counties, eastern Siskiyou County and eastern Plumas County.It is not known how the wolves traveled all the way to the Central Valley county of Tulare, located in Southern California between Fresno and Bakersfield. But the county is vast, stretching east to the spine of the Sierra Nevada, which offers a major wildlife corridor.A sighting was first reported in ...

What to play: Enhanced ‘Quake II,’ ‘Stray’ for Xbox and ‘Stray Gods’ are the top picks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:06 GMT

It’s hard to release a game in the wake of a major blockbuster. That’s what publishers face this week, as they compete with “Baldur’s Gate 3.” Larian Studios’ massive role-playing game continues to dominate the conversation.I’m still in the early parts of the game, not far off from the Early Access portion that came out in 2020. “Baldur’s Gate 3” is a game that will take weeks to finish, but if you don’t have that much time, consider playing these recently launched games.‘Quake II’ (enhanced version)Bethesda makes it feel more like the late 1990s than ever before. Along with a new “Baldur’s Gate,” fans are getting an enhanced rerelease of this id Software classic. Younger fans who may have missed this fight against the Strogg will have a chance to experience the fast-paced action that has become a hallmark of the series.Those expecting a full revamp will be greeted with the classic visual...

Viet Dinh, Fox lawyer who oversaw Dominion settlement, to leave

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:06 GMT

By Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino | CNNFox Corporation on Friday said its top lawyer, Viet Dinh, will exit the company in a significant shakeup to its corporate ranks in the aftermath of the company’s historic $787 million settlement with election technology company Dominion Voting Systems.“We appreciate Viet’s many contributions and service to FOX as both a board member of 21st Century Fox and in his role over the last five years as a valued member of FOX’s leadership team,” said Lachlan Murdoch, chief executive of Fox Corporation, in a statement. “We are grateful that he will continue to serve FOX as Special Advisor where we will benefit from his counsel.”According to an SEC filing on Friday, Dinh will receive a $23 million cash settlement and will be paid $5 million for a two-year term as special adviser.Dinh was said to have a close relationship with Lachlan Murdoch, joining the company as chief legal and policy officer in 2018. His departure comes after he was widely criticize...

Three-bedroom home sells in Palo Alto for $3.1 million

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:06 GMT

1020 Guinda Street – Google Street ViewA house located in the 1000 block of Guinda Street in Palo Alto has new owners. The 1,504-square-foot property, built in 1930, was sold on July 24, 2023. The $3,060,000 purchase price works out to $2,035 per square foot. This single-story house has three bedrooms and two baths. On the exterior, the house is characterized by the use of tiles on the roof. Inside, a fireplace adds character to the home. Additionally, the house features a one-car garage. The property encompasses a generous 5,625 square feet of land.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:On Lincoln Avenue, Palo Alto, in July 2023, a 2,334-square-foot home was sold for $4,500,000, a price per square foot of $1,928. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 2,901-square-foot home on the 1100 block of Guinda Street in Palo Alto sold in May 2023, for $3,654,000, a price per square foot of $1,260. The home has 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.In March 2023, a 2,561-square-foot ho...

‘Disturbing uptick’ of sexual assaults on aircraft, officials say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:06 GMT

Daisy Zavala Magaña | The Seattle Times (TNS)Reports of sexual assaults on planes are on the rise across the country with law enforcement officials expecting the number of reported cases this year, which sits at 62, to surpass last year’s 90 cases.In the Western District of Washington, prosecutors have filed separate cases against four men facing some form of charges for sexual assault of either a teen girl or young woman while on flights bound for Seattle.“An aircraft in a public setting is not where one might expect such brazen and perverted behavior to take place, but it is happening and it needs to stop now,” Toshiko Hasegawa, a Port of Seattle commissioner, said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.Officials advised people to report assaults, and bystanders to report unusual behavior, noting a “disturbing uptick” in sexual assaults reported on aircraft.“It’s scary to talk about your experience, especially with authorities, but y...