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Search and Rescue crews on alert ahead of Hurricane Hilary's arrival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:12 GMT

As Southern California prepares for the arrival of a rare tropical storm event, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says its search and rescue teams are on alert and ready to respond.During a community preparedness briefing Friday afternoon, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced that the LASD search and rescue teams, including Swiftwater Rescue personnel and rescue aircraft, will be ready to deploy when Hurricane Hilary reaches landfall.Hilary is expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reaches coastal Southern California, but Luna reminded the public that the storm is still expected to create "significant rain, possible flash flooding, severe winds, storm surge, dangerous surf, marine conditions and even possibly tornadoes."In response to the dangerous conditions, search and rescue crews have been activated in the event of a catastrophe, with more expected to be on the ready beginning Sunday through Wednesday. Hurricane Hilary: Live Updates ...

L.A. Mayor gives update on Hurricane Hilary arriving in SoCal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:12 GMT

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass held a press conference Friday to discuss the city’s preparation for the incoming Hurricane Hilary set to make landfall in Southern California this weekend.Mayor Bass was also joined by the general managers of city departments.“The city of L.A. is mobilizing in advance of the landfall of Hurricane Hilary,” Bass said Friday. “This is potentially an unprecedented, extreme weather event for Los Angeles, Southern California and the rest of the West Coast. The city is prepared. We're not waiting for the storm to hit. We've already begun working 24/7 to be ahead of the curve and to be ready as soon as the storm reaches our shores."Currently a Category 4 hurricane, Hilary is forecast to head north through Baja California before making its way into the Southland. Southern Californians should start feeling the remnants of Hilary on Saturday as cloud coverage increases and light rain starts to fall. Stronger showers are expected to move in on Sunday with the heavi...

2 men charged in series of San Gabriel Valley robberies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:12 GMT

Two men have been charged in connection with a series of robberies in the San Gabriel Valley, including a violent incident in Hacienda Heights that left an elderly woman injured, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.Russell Hardy, Jr., and Cameron DeShawn Perry, both 19, are each charged with two counts of second-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree automated teller machine robbery and one count of attempted second-degree robbery. Perry also faces two counts of elder or dependent adult abuse.Back on May 30, Perry allegedly robbed a woman at 1457 Nogales St. in Rowland Heights while the victim was leaving a jewelry store. Perry is accused of grabbing the victim’s purse and running away. With Hardy as his alleged getaway driver, the pair got away with $150,000 in jewelry, officials said.On June 9, Perry allegedly robbed a woman who had just withdrawn money from an ATM at 17801 Colina Road in Industry. He allegedly stole the victim’s wallet as she re...

Here's where Southern California residents can get sand and sandbags in preparation for Hurricane Hilary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:12 GMT

Sandbags are readily available for Los Angeles County residents preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Hilary. When Hilary reaches Southern California, weather experts expect it to be a tropical storm. The unusual weather event for California is slated to make its way toward the Baja California peninsula first before reaching the southland. Hurricane Hilary: How much rain Southern California can expect L.A. County For those preparing for the arrival of Hilary, sandbags are available at multiple locations throughout the county.Sandbags are an inexpensive and efficient way to prevent water from entering homes and businesses. They can also be used to create a barrier or divert water away from a building, according to Cal EOS.Ready to fill sandbags are available at all neighborhood fire stations across the county. Residents can use this website to find their nearest fire station.Another list of fire stations will fillable sandbags can also be found here.Sand, however, isn’t available ...

Hash Holes Go to Mars With Jiko+

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:12 GMT

Can tech-backed oversupply ruin clout? We’re about to find out with the new Jiko+ Donut Maker designed by a former NASA engineer.The creators of the Jiko+ are looking to conquer one of the points in the cannabis supply chain people have not been able to automate up to this point. Sure there have been infused preroll machines, but they were never a true donut, or as we call them now, hash hole. The tech attached to those machines was mostly needles attached to a heating element that would shoot the concentrate into each joint evenly as it removed the needle. A lot of the time the material being used in these infused prerolls, both the flower and hash, was between garbage and subpar.On many occasions, those infused prerolls were simply an attempt to bump the price of their contents by trying to make them sound nicer. These kinds of preroll entities have existed since the early 2010s because, for every more educated connoisseur that knew they were garbage, there were a few part-time pu...

Get Lost in the Labyrinth

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:12 GMT

Post-pandemic, fanciful affairs like The Labyrinth Masquerade Ball feel more special and celebratory than ever. The fantasy driven fete is back this weekend for its signature meld of make-believe and magical moments. Classical and electronic dance music drives the extravaganza which is always elevated by thematic live performances, immersive decor and mythical production and backdrops. Inspired by David Bowie’s goblin king, Venetian tradition and Celtic faerie aesthetics, the event is unlike any other; and guests spend months putting their looks together. If you’re still thinking about attending, best get on it now, but be aware: a trip to Party City will not do. Period dress, masks and formal -preferably period- attire are mandatory, and this crowd goes all out. From cosplayers and costumers, to special effects experts and makeup artists, to eccentrics and fantasy fans of all ilks, this ball is a bodaciously imaginative evening to remember. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 S. Gra...

Letters: Mascot change | Airport expansion | Jail deaths | Moms for Liberty | Pink Poodle | Free advertising | GOP agenda

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:12 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.District can’t affordConcord High changeIn regard to Concord High changing their mascot from the “Minutemen” to the “Bears,” I don’t understand the need for it. Minutemen were heroes. But my main concern is the cost. I work at an MDUSD school where every week the plumbing fails or the air/heat breaks down. The list is never-ending.The cost to reoutfit the band alone would be over $100,000. If you include football and all the sports uniforms … I can’t even imagine.Our schools are deteriorating. We need to address our infrastructure. Please. Let common sense prevail.Toni KeosianConcordAirport expansion badnews for environmentRe: “Oakland airport’s expansion will exacerbate climate change, groups say” (Page A1, Aug. 15).The planned expansion of the Oakland airport, which is used primarily for short-haul flights, will increase demand and use of the ...

Letters: Inflating story | Better off | Insulating wires | Psychiatric beds | Resources needed | 21st-century reality

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:12 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Pink Poodle headlineinflates material in storyRe: “Mayor blasts firefighter probe answers” (Page A1, Aug. 17).San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan “blasted” the San Jose Fire Department after the release of the investigative report into the misuse of a fire truck to give a ride to a bikini-clad dancer. At least that’s what The Mercury News’ headline said.But in reality, the mayor was quoted as being “disappointed” and “concerned.” These were the juiciest quotes available to support a sensational headline, the latest headline of several intended by your paper to turn a mildly wacky lapse in judgment into a massive corruption scandal.The Mercury News’ vendetta against public employees continues, and with this story, the grudge has outstripped its available source material.Tony FlemmerSan JoseS.J. would be betteroff without PG&ERe: “City Council to consider leaving PG&E, form own ...

More charges: Five Antioch, Pittsburg cops allegedly accepted bribes, including tequila, to make traffic tickets go away

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:12 GMT

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged five Antioch and Pittsburg police officers in an alleged conspiracy to drop traffic tickets in exchange for apparent bribes of food and liquor, court records filed Friday show.The documents show former Antioch police Officer Timothy Manly Williams was charged with felony counts of conspiracy to commit an act injurious to public and accepting a bribe in a 2020 case where he allegedly accepted Teremana tequila – the brand founded by actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – from a person in exchange for help making a traffic ticket go away.The tequila made its way to Antioch patrol Officer Andrea Rodriguez, who court documents allege received the tequila for failing to appear in court Nov. 2, 2020, in a traffic case despite being subpoenaed. Other officers implicated in the court documents include Antioch patrol Officer Calvin Prieto; former Pittsburg Officer Ernesto Mejia-Orozco and Antioch Officer Ben Padilla.The officers are scheduled...

Lucky's in Novato closed due to 'active' rat infestation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:12 GMT

(KRON) -- A Lucky's supermarket in Novato was closed Thursday due to an active infestation of rats, according to Marin County Environmental Health Services. The entire store has been closed.As of Thursday, Lucky supermarket in Novato had a "Closed" sign from the County of Marin Environmental Health Services. A KRON4 photographer visited the market on Thursday at its 1761 Grant Ave location. Trader Joe’s crackers product recalled, may contain metal "This facility was found to have violations of the California Health and Safety Code which constitute an immediate danger to public health or safety," the sign said. "As a result, the permit to operate has been temporarily suspended and this facility has been ordered to remain closed until a written reinstatement of the permit has been issued." The sign said the violation was in the "insect/rodent control" category. It was put up on Thursday. "Closures due to pest infestations occur periodically, but not as often with large grocery store...