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They said it: A harrowing fire escape

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:55 GMT

“It was pretty scary. There was lots and lots and lots of traffic, downed power lines everywhere, no cell service, just person-to-person information. No one knew what was going on. We were lucky to get out.”— Dave Hovis, of San Francisco, who was vacationing with friends in Lahaina last week, when they were forced to flee fires that incinerated the resort town and killed more than 50 people.

Otters attack swimmers in Sierra Nevada river and lake

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:55 GMT

River otters are so cute that it’s easy to overlook their bad behavior.But two attacks — rare and separate incidents — have injured women who were out enjoying a swim, turning a summer idyll into a panicked rush to Tahoe Forest Hospital’s emergency room.River otters are distant cousins to sea otters such as Otter 841, a 5-year-old female who this summer gained international notoriety for accosting surfers and kayakers in Santa Cruz and continues to evade capture. Their population once plummeted due to fur-hunting. Now they are protected and their numbers are rebounding.While different in many ways, the two species share a mean streak, especially if protecting young.“I felt something really sharp on my butt, and started screaming,” said Crystal Finn, 41, who on the balmy afternoon of July 11 joined cousins for a swim in the Middle Fork of the Feather River near the family’s property on the edge of Plumas National Forest. “Then I felt a bite on my leg.”“Then I saw these three little h...

Parents and students also must ensure safety around schools: Roadshow

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:55 GMT

Q: The No. 1 source of poor and illegal driving around the schools not far from where we live? Parents! I avoid these areas during pickup and drop-off times because the driving is so unsafe.Parents, be alert, watch your surroundings and watch, especially, for kids and traffic.Far too often, I see a child hop in the back seat of a car, and as the door shuts, the parent accelerates into an illegal u-turn with no blinker, and no regard for other kids or traffic. Kids sometimes do oblivious things, so it is up to all of us to be aware. And please, no pickups from the middle lane! Kids darting into traffic to get to “their” car is very hazardous.Peter David, San JoseA: The recent column that included safe driving practices around schools inspired others to share observations and advice.Q: The column reminding drivers of school opening safety should be heeded most by parents who drive their children to and from school (I’m a former driver of a 72-passenger school bus and...

Alameda DA’s office hired Pamela Price’s boyfriend, raising nepotism concerns

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:55 GMT

OAKLAND — The office of Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price hired her boyfriend for a six-figure salary, despite a past that includes allegations he extorted Richmond business owners for tens of thousands of dollars — a claim that drew the attention of the FBI.Antwon Cloird joined Price’s team at the beginning of her administration, occupying an office at her headquarters as a “senior program specialist” whose responsibilities the county declined to detail.Good government groups have long criticized Alameda County for not having a clear nepotism policy, and the lack of rules surrounding the hiring of a romantic partner seems to have benefited Price and Cloird. County officials told this news organization they could not find any documents showing Price voluntarily notified them of the potential conflict of interest.The couple’s relationship has been an open secret at work, raising the eyebrows of colleagues. And his time in Richmond has brought its own concerns.Emails obtai...

Cameron Smith pulls away from Phil Mickelson for a 4-shot lead at LIV Golf

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:55 GMT

BEDMINSTER, N.J. (AP) — Cam Smith birdied three of his last four holes Saturday for a 4-under 67 that allowed him to pull away from Phil Mickelson and build a four-shot lead in LIV Golf-Bedminster.Mickelson also had a 67, one of his best rounds of the year in the LIV Golf League considering Trump National Bedminster has not yielded low scoring this week. He was one shot behind when he bogeyed the par-3 14th and failed to birdie the par-5 15th.Smith picked up birdies on the 15th, the par-3 16th and the par-5 18th. He was at 9-under 133, four shots clear of Mickelson and Dean Burmester, who had birdies on three of his last five holes for a 68.Smith already has one LIV Golf victory this year. Mickelson, one of the chief recruits when the Saudi-funded league got going in 2022, is still looking for his first LIV title. His last win was the 2021 PGA Championship, when he was 50 and became golf’s oldest major champion.“It’s been a couple years, and I would love getting back into that...

American Jessica Pegula beats top-ranked Iga Swiatek to reach Montreal final

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:55 GMT

MONTREAL (AP) — Jessica Pegula beat top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday to reach the National Bank Open final, breaking serve 11 times in a 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-4 victory.Pegula, the 29-year-old American seeded fourth, finally broke through in the semifinals after falling in the round the previous two years.“It was a great match,” Pegula said. “It was tough. Kind of a roller-coaster. Really up and down, but I’m glad I was able to hold my nerve there at the end.”Pegula beat Swiatek a day after fellow American Tommy Paul knocked off top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s event in Toronto. U.S. players had not beaten the top-ranked man and woman in the same week since April 2008 in Miami when Serena Williams beat Justine Henin and Andy Roddick topped Roger Federer.Both players struggled to hold serve, with Swiatek breaking Pegula eight times. They only won 11 of 30 service games combined.“I was getting frustrated that I wasn’t holding,” Pegula said. “But then at the same time I k...

El caso que podría llevar a la cuarta imputación de Trump: citan a declarar a testigos

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:55 GMT

GEORGIA – La fiscal de distrito del condado de Fulton, Fani Willis, llamó el sábado a declarar la próxima semana ante un gran jurado a varios testigos del presunto intento de invalidar las elecciones en Georgia, un caso que podría suponer la cuarta imputación del expresidente Donald Trump (2017-2021).El exvicegobernador de Georgia Geoff Duncan informó a través de un mensaje en redes sociales que fue citado como testigo potencial y dará testimonio a puerta cerrada ante un gran jurado el martes.“Puedo confirmar que se me ha pedido que testifique ante el gran jurado del condado de Fulton el martes. Espero responder sus preguntas sobre las elecciones de 2020. Los republicanos nunca deben permitir que la honestidad se confunda con debilidad”, afirmó el republicano. Quién es David Weiss, el fiscal especial a cargo del caso contra el hijo del presidente Biden Jueza: Trump podrá compartir ciertos datos sobre caso de presunta interve...

Los fiscales de Georgia tienen mensajes que muestran que el equipo de Trump está detrás de la violación del sistema de votación

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:55 GMT

(CNN) — Los fiscales del área de Atlanta que investigan los esfuerzos para anular los resultados de las elecciones de 2020 en Georgia están en posesión de mensajes de texto y correos electrónicos que conectan directamente a los miembros del equipo legal de Donald Trump con la violación del sistema de votación de principios de enero de 2021 en el condado de Coffee, según le dijeron las fuentes a CNN.Se espera que la fiscal de distrito del condado de Fulton, Fani Willis, presente cargos contra más de una docena de personas cuando su equipo presente su caso ante un jurado investigador la próxima semana. Varias personas involucradas en la violación de los sistemas de votación en el condado de Coffee se encuentran entre los que pueden enfrentar cargos en la investigación criminal en expansión.Los investigadores en la investigación criminal de Georgia han sospechado durante mucho tiempo que la violación no fue un esfuerzo orgánico surgido de los simpatizantes de Trump en el condado ...

Denver weather: Mild with a southern shower

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:55 GMT

Denver (KDVR) - Denver will see mainly sunny skies with comfy highs in the upper 70s before some afternoon showers south of the metro.Weather today: Brisk wind and afternoon showersMost of the Front Range will see plenty of sunshine with a breeze out of the northeast. High temperatures are below average in the upper 70s with some afternoon showers, mostly south of the metro area. Weather tonight: Partly cloudy, mildWinds will slow overnight as extra clouds stick around. Low temperatures tonight will dip into the middle 50s, making Monday morning feel refreshing.Looking ahead: Warmer and drierMonday kicks off the workweek with below average highs in the upper 70s as skies remain mostly sunny. The heat returns for the rest of the week with drier conditions. Highs Tuesday through Thursday will be in the low 90s with mostly sunny skies. Friday is warmer in the middle 90s with extra clouds and a brisk wind. The above average highs stick around in to the start of the weekend with low 90s ...

Poland prime minister floats migration referendum with grim video

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:55 GMT

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki proposed holding a referendum asking citizens whether they support the arrival of “thousands of illegal migrants coming from the Middle East and Africa” under the European Union’s relocation policy.In a video posted on social networks on Sunday, Morawiecki floated the idea of holding a poll, to be conducted along with the parliamentary election scheduled for October 15. Morawiecki’s ruling Law and Justice Party is well-known for its extremely restrictive position on immigration from Muslim and African countries — while being accepting of refugees from European countries such as Ukraine. Morawiecki’s video paints a grim scenario in case more migrants were allowed into Poland, showing images of burning cars, street violence and a black man licking a knife. The full question Morawiecki said Poles should answer in the proposed referendum is: “Do you support the admission of thousands of illegal immigrants from the Middle E...