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Innocent taxi driver killed in wrong-way crash on 110 Freeway; woman arrested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:52:46 GMT

One person died and three others were injured when a wrong-way driver crashed into another car in the northbound lanes of the 110 Freeway early Friday.The crash happened just before 3 a.m. near Exposition Boulevard in the downtown Los Angeles area and involved a taxi and a black Chevy Cruze, according to the California Highway Patrol. Investigators say the driver of the Chevy was going southbound in the northbound lanes when she crashed into the taxi, killing the cab driver. He was later identified as Ken Balayev, 71, of Calabasas.The crash scene on the 110 Freeway on May 26, 2023. (OnScene.TV)The driver of the Cruze, identified as 23-year-old Samantha Molina, and a female passenger were hospitalized with serious injuries. The passenger of the taxi suffered minor injuries. Molina was eventually arrested. The collision forced the closure of the northbound 110 for several hours. All lanes reopened around 6 a.m.CHP is investigating if drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash.

3-year cruise hasn't begun but already in hot water

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:52:46 GMT

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip.On March 1, a cruise operator named Miray Cruises announced a three-year, 130,000-mile voyage organized by a subsidiary called Life at Sea Cruises."Set aboard the beautifully revitalized MV Gemini -- which boasts 400 cabins and room for up to 1,074 passengers -- cruisers will enjoy the best of living and working at sea," the company pledged in a press release.Now it's unclear if the cruise will actually happen. Or if it does, what ship it will be on.CNN reports that Life at Sea Cruises is at odds with its parent company over the seaworthiness of the MV Gemini, and some passengers are already asking for refunds.The voyage, with a starting price of $30,000, is scheduled to depart from Istanbul on Nov. 1.A spokeswoman for Miray Cruises insisted in a webinar this week that the cruise isn't being called off."This cruise is not canceled," she said. "We are moving ahead. It is departing Nov. 1 as planned. So I just ...

Santa Barbara inmate dies after suspected opioid overdose

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:52:46 GMT

An inmate at the Santa Barbara Main Jail died after a possible opioid overdose Thursday night, officials announced Friday.At approximately 10:57 p.m., a custody deputy and a WellPath nurse were conducting welfare checks and noticed that one inmate, whose name has not been released, wasn’t responding.After entering the inmate’s cell, county jail officials found the inmate unresponsive, not breathing and with a foamy purge coming from his mouth, according to a news release.Medical staff and county deputies performed life-saving measures, including administering three rounds of Narcan, performing CPR, and placing an automated external defibrillator on the individual.Paramedics and officials with the County Fire and American Medical Response were also called to assist with life-saving measures. However, the inmate didn’t recover and was pronounced dead.Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Coroner’s Office are investigating the in-custody death, but ...

Federal Cannabis Arrests Dip 24% in 2022

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:52:46 GMT

Advocates are celebrating federal cannabis arrests dropping 24% in 2022After frequently noting all the cannabis progress happening around the country and the world in recent years, we were a bit caught off guard by the large jump in cannabis arrests during the first year of the Biden administration. That 2021 jump in arrests was the biggest in a decade, as we noted last year. This was despite Biden’s promises to pursue decriminalization, now two and a half years ago. Nevertheless, 6,606 people will be arrested by the DEA and partner agencies in 2021. There were further resounding messages from the community that this was the opposite direction we had expected to see cannabis enforcement take in the Biden Administration. The 5,061 people arrested on federal cannabis charges last year represent a 24% drop from the year before. It also nearly erases the jump from 2021 when the decade-highs in arrests represented a 25% jump from the year before. NORML noted that while arrests were down,...

TRANSFIX Las Vegas: A Bigger, Brighter Art Adventure

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:52:46 GMT

Everything’s bigger in Vegas—and blingier and brighter too—and this year that goes double for experiential art as TRANSFIX opens a choose-your-own-adventure concourse of more than 50 interactive light, sound, video, lasers, digital media, and occasionally fire-based sculptures and installations face to face with the Strip. The spactacle’s presence is announced by the towering, benevolent glow of artist Marco Cochrane’s R-Evolution—a 45 foot tall, gently kinetic and luminous woman staring across Las Vegas Blvd. at the Wynn and Encore properties. She is made of light but remains a monumental, statuesque presence throughout the day as well, guiding the curious toward the Resorts World Las Vegas.Marco Cochrane: R-Evolution at TRANSFIX Las Vegas (Photo by Chelsa Christensen)The Hilton folks have turned over a 200,000 square-foot (nearly five acres) parcel of land to a team of creatives with big ideas. The leadership includes architecture and events professionals with a collective b...

Woman Fatally Struck in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident on Harris Street [Lemon Grove, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:52:46 GMT

40-Year-Old Woman Killed in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Collision near BroadwayLEMON GROVE, CA (May 26, 2023) – Early Wednesday morning, one woman was fatally struck in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident on Harris Street.Authorities responded to the scene shortly after 12:30 a.m., at the 3400 block of Harris Street near Broadway.Per reports, the driver of a vehicle hit a female pedestrian and fled the scene before police arrived. Medical personnel pronounced the 40-year-old woman dead at the scene. Although, authorities have not yet released her identity.Following preliminary duties, witnesses described the involved vehicle as a white pickup-truck, possibly a Ford F-150. Those who witnessed the Harris Street collision are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.Lemon Grove Officials are offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can give details that can lead to the suspect’s arrest. Once available, officers will provide further details.No words can mend the broken hearts a...

1 Killed, 1 Injured in Four-Car Accident on Highway 580 [Livermore, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:52:46 GMT

One Dead, One Hospitalized after 4-Vehicle Collision near First StreetLIVERMORE, CA (May 26, 2023) – Thursday morning, one victim was killed and another was hurt in a four-car accident on Interstate Highway 580.Authorities responded to the scene around 3:30 a.m., near First Street.Per reports, the driver of a Ford Mustang rear-ended a Ford F-350 in the left lane. The Ford F-350 driver then pulled over to the right shoulder.The driver of a speeding 2006 Chevrolet pickup-truck then failed to brake in time and struck the front passenger side of the Mustang. Shortly after, a speeding Ford Expedition also rear-ended the Chevy pickup-truck.Due to the extent of injuries sustained, medics pronounced the driver of the Mustang dead at the scene. Crews also treated the Chevrolet driver for major leg injuries.At this time, police have not yet released the identities of those involved. Once available, further details will be provided about the fatal four-car accident on Highway 580.Sincere...

Oakland Section pitchers combine for 44 strikeouts in thrilling section championship

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:52:46 GMT

KIPP King Collegiate’s Leilani Garcia and Oakland High’s Bronwyn James had a pitcher’s duel for the ages on Thursday afternoon. Garcia, a sophomore, struck out 18 for KIPP, which won the Oakland Section softball title 1-0 in 10 innings.On most days, that would be the most remarkable pitching performance of the game. But her Oakland counterpart was even more dominant, striking out 26. That included the first 19 KIPP batters James faced, eight of those being strikeouts looking. “These girls were just exchanging strikeout after strikeout after strikeout after strikeout,” KIPP coach Jose Torres told the Bay Area News Group on Friday afternoon.Garcia had KIPP’s only hit of the day in the seventh, with Cynthia Tapia also reaching base safely. Oakland was able to scratch out two hits against Garcia. Mathilda James, Daijha Teague, and  Ezeanie Thompson were able to reach base too. Torres said the game, which he described as grueling, flew by in under two hours.“It’s been a...

The 10 most expensive reported home sales in Palo Alto the week of May 15

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:52:46 GMT

A house in Palo Alto that sold for $6.2 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Palo Alto in the past week.In total, 13 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $3.7 million. The average price per square foot ended up at $1,852.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of May 15 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $2.9 million, single-family home in the 800 block of Meadow DriveThe 1,389 square-foot single-family residence in the 800 block of Meadow Drive in Palo Alto has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in May and the total purchase price was $2,850,000, $2,052 per square foot. The house was built in 1956. The house features three bedrooms and two bathrooms.East Meadow Drive9. $2.9 million, single-family residence in the 900 block of Hutchinson AvenueThe property in the 900 block of Hutchinson Av...

East Bay school district: Student took over classroom projectors and displayed racist images

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:52:46 GMT

BRENTWOOD — A student temporarily took control of school-room projectors earlier this week and used it to display racist images in those classes, according to Brentwood Union School District officials.District Superintendent Dr. Dana Eaton in an emailed statement said the student briefly “hijacked” the projector in the classrooms of three teachers, and that the projectors “displayed racist images.”“Teachers acted immediately and were able to stop the projections from continuing,” Eaton said. “When the principal became aware, she immediately contacted our technology department both to investigate the incident and work to eliminate access for this to happen again.”Related ArticlesEducation | California poet’s Biden inauguration poem moved out of Florida elementary school library after a parent complained Education | California school investigating substitute teacher seen on video using the N-word Edu...