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'Bad actors' used state program to store pallets, hand sanitizer under 10 Fwy before arsonist struck, Newsom says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:30 GMT

This weekend, a large fire damaged the 10 Freeway in Los Angeles, shutting down a primary transportation route for hundreds of thousands of people.State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant said investigators "have been able to confidently determine" that the blaze was caused by arson, though the person or persons involved have not been identified.The investigation is ongoing into "what we believe to be malicious and willful intent of starting a fire," Berlant said.But how did those flammable materials end up under the freeway? It's part of a government program that leases that space to private citizens and companies.Caltrans' Airspace and Telecommunications Licensing Program — often called simply Airspace — "is responsible for leasing and managing those properties or sites held for a transportation purpose that can safely accommodate a secondary use," the agency said on its website."More simply put, Airspace leases specific areas within state highway right of way," Caltrans added.Federal au...

10 Freeway fire may have been intentionally set: report

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:30 GMT

A massive fire beneath one of the most vital traffic arteries in downtown Los Angeles may have been intentionally set, according to the Los Angeles Times.Citing law enforcement sources who were unable to discuss the investigation on the record, the Times reports that the investigation into the blaze that has crippled the downtown commute for hundreds of thousands of Angelenos is centered around a possible act of arson."Though investigators have not determined cause of the fire, the blaze is of sufficiently suspicious origins to be an arson investigation," the Times reports.The fire was first reported early Saturday around 12:30 a.m. near East 14th and Alameda streets underneath the freeway. It engulfed both sides of 14th Street underneath the 10, eventually melting some of the freeway’s steel guardrails and damaging firetrucks.The blaze ripped through a pallet yard, causing dense plumes of smoke and limiting visibility throughout the area.In addition to the reports of a possibl...

Immerse Yourself in Serene Luxury on a Mega Yacht Charter Experience

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:30 GMT

“The sea has always been a siren call to those who crave adventure, freedom, and luxury. In 2023, that call has never been more alluring,” says Your Boat Holiday (YBH) CEO, Giulia Di Leo. As personal space has become increasingly valuable and the quest for extraordinary experiences intensifies, the luxury yacht charter industry has experienced a remarkable surge, akin to a rising tide.A report by Transparency Market Research states that this global industry was valued at an impressive $12.6 billion in 2022. Even more enticing is its projected growth, with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% between the present year and 2031. Should this projection hold true, the industry is anticipated to surpass $19 billion by the end of 2031.“Our bookings have increased by 40% since last year,” reveals Di Leo. In an industry where luxury and novelty are as intrinsic as the woodwork on a vintage schooner, YBH’s success has been in crafting unforgettable, ...

The Gypsy Queens: ‘Buona Sera Signorina’ Reveals the Best-Kept Secret

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:30 GMT

There is a melodic secret, a covert romance with richness unseen in a world where neon lights and computerized soundscapes rule supreme — meet The Gypsy Queens. Imagine a band that is so well-known that you haven’t heard of them yet, yet they are virtually the most well-known group. It’s similar to learning that your preferred hidden gem café serves as a front for a covert musical organization.Readers need not worry, however, as The Gypsy Queens are prepared to reveal their musical identity and are incorporating Tony Danza’s magic into it. Yes, you read correctly: Tony Danza. Just the mention of his name makes you want to put on a tuxedo and tap dance in a confetti-filled downpour.“Buona Sera Signorina,” their most recent hit, is more than simply a song; it’s an invitation to a velvet-draped salon where you’re snacking on elegance and drinking refinement. This song is similar to the key that unlocks a hidden door, leading to their much await...

The Dirty South Soundtrack Closes Out 2023 With A Feel-Good Story

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:30 GMT

The Dirty South, released in select theaters and digitally on November 10th, is a feature film complete with a crime/action narrative. Directed by Matthew Yerby and produced by VP Independent’s Andrew Vogel & Suzann Toni Petrongolo, the film stands as a testament to the power of determination and vision in bringing a unique story to life. But what truly sets this project apart is its independent production and remarkable soundtrack, a musical journey that captures the essence of Southern culture.Behind this creative endeavor is Tyler Forrest, an artist, composer, and songwriter, who contributed to writing and composing much of the film’s soundtrack. Tyler’s journey in the world of music has been guided by a profound passion. He believes in going wherever the music takes him, a philosophy that led him to the creation of the soundtrack for The Dirty South. Alongside Tyler, Blake Phillips lead the charge as the soundtrack’s Executive Producer. Blake’s connections from L...

Letters: Shelter help | Social workers | ‘Bulb Guy’ | ‘Killing device’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:30 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Animal shelter mustseek more helpRe: “At beleaguered shelter, care for pets criticized” (Page B1, Nov. 9).I was deeply disturbed to learn about the conditions at the San Jose Animal Care Center.From the unnecessary amputations, like the dog Sparrow had to suffer, to rapidly declining live release rates, such as the rate for cats dropping from 90% in 2020 to 75% in 2023, there is ample evidence that practices in this establishment must change.To mitigate these harmful outcomes, the shelter could focus on foster programs to open up space in the shelter or collaborate with rescue organizations for additional resources.Erin GribiSan JoseRespect social workers’recommendationsRe: “Who failed baby Phoenix?” (Page A1, Nov. 12).As a retired social work educator, and past member of the Santa Clara County Child Abuse Prevention Council, I have followed the tragic saga of baby Phoenix w...

Has the GOP already run out of time to stop Trump?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:30 GMT

By Steve Peoples, Meg Kinnard and Thomas Beaumont | Associated PressCOLUMBIA, S.C. — The Republican Party’s once-crowded 2024 presidential primary field has suddenly shrunk to just a handful of viable candidates.But a day after Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina stunned many of his own staff by suspending his campaign, it’s unclear whether the GOP is any closer to coalescing behind a clear alternative to former President Donald Trump. Instead, the fight between Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis for a distant second place appears to be intensifying. And some lower-tier candidates insist on battling for relevance, despite growing pressure to bow out of the race altogether.Meanwhile, Trump’s team is cheering on the muddle for second place with Iowa’s Jan. 15 kickoff caucuses just two months away.Still, there were new positive signs on Monday for Haley, Scott’s South Carolina rival, who had been rising in the Republican contest even before the senator’s sudd...

Oakland’s new fire chief promises better mental health services for firefighters

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:30 GMT

OAKLAND — Living at his family’s home after college graduation and coming to accept that an NBA career was out of the question, Damon Covington was restless about how his life would proceed — until a voice in his head told him he should be a firefighter.He knew next to nothing about how to become one, and even less about the Oakland Fire Department, where he started out two decades ago. Now Covington is the city’s new full-time chief, after four months of holding the interim role.“Oakland really raised me, helped me cut my teeth, realize what it means to give back to my city,” Covington said Monday at his swearing-in ceremony, on a sunny morning near the city’s ferry terminal.His hiring will fill one of the biggest gaps in institutional leadership in Oakland, where the police department has been without a full-time chief for nine months. Covington’s salary hasn’t been announced, but his immediate predecessor, Reginald Freeman, ma...

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s latest extravagance: A ‘10,000-Year Clock’ built into a mountain

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:30 GMT

For the couple who have everything and who could always have more, more, more, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have invested some of their billions into building a unique project: A subterranean clock built deep into the side of a mountain range in West Texas.Sanchez tells a writer for Vogue that the “10,000-Year-Clock” offers her and her future husband, the second richest man in the world, a way of “thinking about the future.”The irrepressible Sanchez opened up about the 10,000-Year Clock while flying the Vogue writer on a helicopter tour of Bezos’ West Texas ranch, one of the more than half a dozen luxury properties in his estimated $500 million real estate portfolio, as the New York Post also reported. In a new exclusive interview, Lauren Sánchez discusses going to space, giving back, and her high-flying romance with Jeff Bezos. Read the full profile here: https://t.co/qXtkaXgN1C pic.twitter.com/rz2CPDCF27— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) Novembe...

Three-alarm fire burns in Oakland hills near Holy Names University

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:30 GMT

OAKLAND — A three-alarm fire involving four separate blazes was burning Monday afternoon in the Oakland hills above Highway 13, officials said.Crews had still not contained the fires as of 3:40 p.m., more than an hour after they were first reported.Fire department spokesman Michael Hunt said there were four different vegetation fires involving trees and brush between Redwood and Joaquin Miller roads, about a two-mile stretch of the hills.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Two-alarm fire guts East Bay convenience store Crashes and Disasters | Oakland: Person badly burned after fire breaks out in tent Crashes and Disasters | Veteran Oakland firefighter named new chief of city’s fire department Dozens of firefighters responded to the scene after the initial call at 2:30 p.m.Northbound lanes of Highway 13 at Interstate 580 were shut down.There were no reports of any structures, including at nearby Holy Names University, be...