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'Keep Families Close’ bill signed into law to help children with incarcerated parents 

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:51:08 GMT

The bill proposed by California Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) that helps incarcerated parents maintain contact with their children and was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday. AB 1226, known as the “Keep Families Close” bill, orders the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to place an incarcerated parent, legal guardian or caregiver of a minor child in the correctional facility closest to their child’s home, a press release from Haney's office said. Included in the bill is the option for already incarcerated parents to request a transfer to the prison closest to their child’s home. The bill does not apply to individuals convicted of violence and sex related offenses that prohibit them from having child visitation rights.  Burglar disguised as deputy attempts to break into Westwood shop Thousands of incarcerated parents across California are placed in a correctional facility more than 500 miles from their children, Haney’s...

Are speed limits really enforced by aircraft?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:51:08 GMT

You probably grew up spotting the signs from the backseat of your car on family road trips: "Speed enforced by aircraft." As a kid, the idea may have sounded high-tech and intimidating. As an adult, it probably seems more costly and impractical. So do the patrols still happen?The short answer is yes, some units across the country say they still patrol by aircraft, but technological improvements and cost considerations have limited air enforcement. The California Highway Patrol recently explained how their unit works, in an effort to dispel anyone who may have thought a helicopter was about to touch down on the highway next to them. Do you know why traffic lights are red, yellow, and green? "CHP fixed-wing airplanes will partner with CHP ground units. Several patrol cars will be staged at a specific location along the right-hand shoulder of the freeway waiting for communication from CHP Air. The aircraft uses markings along the right-hand shoulder to mark and measure distance," CH...

Woman killed in apparent grizzly bear attack near Yellowstone National Park

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:51:08 GMT

A woman was found dead after an “apparent bear encounter” near Yellowstone National Park in Montana on Saturday.The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) said investigators confirmed grizzly bear tracks at the scene and said the investigation was ongoing. The woman was discovered on the Buttermilk Trail, an area about 8 miles west of West Yellowstone. U.S. Forest rangers of the Custer Gallatin National Forest issued an emergency closure of the area “for human safety.” In this July 6, 2011, file photo, a grizzly bear roams near Beaver Lake in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart, File)“Bears can be found throughout Montana. In recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded. People venturing into the outdoors should ‘Be Bear Aware,’” the department said in an update on the investigation before listing precautionary steps, including carrying bear spray, traveling in groups in daylight hours, avoiding carcass sites and making noises t...

Twitter rebrands with X logo after Musk vows to eliminate 'all the birds'

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:51:08 GMT

Twitter has officially traded its iconic blue bird logo for a black-and-white “X,” marking the latest change to the social media platform since Elon Musk purchased it last year.Musk announced the rebranding on Sunday, changing his profile to the X and posting promotional videos of the new logo. He also posted a photo Monday of the new logo being projected onto Twitter’s San Francisco headquarters.“[S]oon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds,” Musk tweeted Sunday.The X began to appear on the desktop version of Twitter Monday, but the bird remained the prominent logo on the mobile version. Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino also promoted the new logo on Monday, tweeting that “X is here! Let’s do this.”She also said the new logo represents “the future state of unlimited interactivity — centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking — creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities.”Graphic designer Martin Grasser, who was par...

Shohei Ohtani homers in last home game before trade deadline as the Angels beat the Pirates 7-5

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:51:08 GMT

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani's line drive left his bat at a sizzling 113 mph, but only a 19-degree launch angle. Hugging the ground like an airplane trying to fly below the radar, it streaked all the way over the center-field fence.“I don't know if I've seen a ball hit like that, except a golf ball, maybe," Angels manager Phil Nevin said. "I thought he lined out to center. I did. Every day he does something to impress you.”The Angels and their fans left the Big A on Sunday not knowing whether that was the last bit of baseball magic they'll ever see from Ohtani in the Halos' home uniform on this field.But another big victory made it even more likely they'll have at least two more months to enjoy their two-way superstar.Ohtani hit his major league-leading 36th homer in Los Angeles' final home game before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, and the Angels wrapped up a strong homestand with a 7-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.Ohtani's low line drive in the first inning was his 24th...

Man Killed, Another Injured in Rollover Car Accident on Pacheco Road [Bakersfield, CA]

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:51:08 GMT

One Pronounced Dead after Two-Vehicle Crash near Akers RoadBAKERSFIELD, CA (July 24, 2023) – Early Friday morning, a rollover car accident on Pacheco Road left one person dead and another hospitalized.Police responded to the scene shortly after 12:10 a.m., at the intersection of Pacheco and Akers Road.Per reports, a northbound vehicle was traveling on Akers Road and collided with another vehicle that was heading west on Pacheco Road.Upon impact, the northbound vehicle lost control and struck a fence causing it to roll over and eject both occupants.Medics arrived and pronounced a male driver dead at the scene. Although, authorities have not yet released his identity. Meanwhile, paramedics transported the female passenger to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.In addition, the driver of the westbound vehicle did not sustain any injuries. However, the passenger was also hospitalized for minor injuries.Following preliminary duties, investigators believed that speed c...

One Killed in Bus Crash on U.S. 50 [Glenbrook, NV]

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:51:08 GMT

Bus Crash on U.S. 50 near State Route 28 Left One FatalityGLENBROOK, NV (July 24, 2023) – Tuesday afternoon, a fatal bus crash on U.S. 50 near State Route 28 left one individual killed.The incident happened around 2:00 p.m. when an SUV collided with a tour bus traveling west.According to reports, an Amador Stagecoach tour bus with 17 passengers was traveling west on U.S. 50 when an SUV from State Route 28 crashed into the tour bus for unknown reasons.Emergency crews arrived at the scene shortly after, and one person was pronounced dead at the scene. Meanwhile, paramedics transported one other person to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. Others involved in the bus crash reported minor injuries.An investigation into the cause of the accident is still underway. At this time no further details regarding the bus crash on U.S. 50 are available, officials will update the public once more information becomes available.The Sweet James team sends our warm and sincerest sy...

Travel Troubleshooter: I’ve been banned by Airbnb, but no one will tell me why

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:51:08 GMT

DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: I recently received an email from Airbnb that it had removed my account from the platform.Christopher Elliott, the Travel Troubleshooter “Removal means that your account will no longer be accessible, and you won’t be able to create another one,” it said. “We want to assure you that we reviewed your case thoroughly before reaching this conclusion. As such, we won’t be able to offer you additional support on this matter at this time.”I don’t understand why I’m banned. I last booked with Airbnb in September for my husband and his friend in Las Vegas. Airbnb canceled the first booking for that trip because the host said she was no longer accepting guests.Airbnb found me another accommodation at a hotel, and after two days of staying there, they realized that the listing wasn’t legitimate (someone had booked the hotel rooms months before then and posted them on Airbnb as rentals). I don’t see why...

‘Underrated’: Why Stephen Curry finally agreed to star in a documentary

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:51:08 GMT

All those pitches Stephen Curry heard asking him to be the focal point of a documentary just rim-rolled but never went in.Then along came the “Stephen Curry: Underrated” team of Oakland director/co-producer Peter Nicks and others associated with Proximity Media, including Oakland native and “Black Panther” filmmaker Ryan Coogler. Their proposal arrived at the perfect time and proved to be just what Curry wanted.The phenomenal Golden State Warriors point guard and sensational golfer (check out his hole in one last weekend at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe) particularly liked the fact that Nicks sought to juxtapose his underdog 2006-2009 collegiate basketball career at Davidson College in North Carolina with the Warriors’ comeback chew-your-nails-to-itty-bits 2021-2022 season. Factor in the talent backing the documentary, recently released on Apple TV+, and one of the greatest basketball players of all time was all in.“This one made the most sense because from a top l...

Death Valley tourist dies after telling reporter he was determined to complete hike

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:51:08 GMT

A man collapsed and died in Death Valley shortly after telling a newspaper reporter he was determined to finish his hike despite temperatures near 120 degrees.Steve Curry, 71, of the Sunland neighborhood of Los Angeles, did complete his round-trip hike Tuesday from Golden Canyon to Zabriskie Point — a loop of about 6 miles — but then collapsed outside a restroom at the trailhead, park officials said.Rangers alerted by a 911 call at 3:40 p.m. arrived at Golden Canyon within seven minutes and tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Curry. A medical helicopter could not respond because of the high temperature, said a park news release on Thursday.A cause of death had not been determined by the Inyo County coroner, but heat is thought to have been a factor. The high on Tuesday, July 18, at Furnace Creek was 121 degrees, and rangers said heat reflecting off Golden Canyon’s walls made the temperature on that trail much higher.Around 10 a.m., Curry had spoken with the Los Ang...