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2 O.C. residents charged with running $2.2M scheme tricking banks into cashing out mortgages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:01 GMT

Two Orange County residents are facing federal charges after allegedly fraudulently obtaining more than $2 million by stealing the identities of homeowners and tricking banks into cashing out mortgages on those properties, according to the U.S. Justice Department.Thao Thi Kim Nguyen, 47, of Garden Grove, and Nghiep Chinh Nguyen, 55, of Westminster, were charged by a federal grand jury and pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Monday.Both are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. Thao Nguyen is also charged with seven counts of bank fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft, while Nghiep Nguyen is charged further with two counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, officials said.The defendants allegedly primarily targeted elderly Vietnamese Americans during their scheme.As part of their fraudulent behavior, the defendants obtained a type of mortgage that allows homeowners to convert home equity into cash by borrow...

Do you believe in angels? A majority of U.S. adults do

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:01 GMT

Compared with the devil, angels carry more credence in America.Angels even get more credence than, well, hell. More than astrology, reincarnation, and the belief that physical things can have spiritual energies. In fact, about 7 in 10 U.S. adults say they believe in angels, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.“People are yearning for something greater than themselves — beyond their own understanding,” said Jack Grogger, a chaplain for the Los Angeles Angels and a longtime Southern California fire captain who has aided many people in their gravest moments.That search for something bigger, he said, can take on many forms, from following a religion to crafting a self-driven purpose to believing in, of course, angels.A detail of "The Righteous Shall Receive a Crown of Glory," Brainard Memorial Window for Methodist Church, Waterville, New York, ca. 1901 is photographed while on display at the "Louis C. Tiffany and the Art of Devotion" e...

Connor Treacy: The business extraordinaire keeping Hollywood’s clubs glitzy and their dancefloors star-studded.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:01 GMT

 What’s L.A. without the allure of exclusive clubs – jam-packed with celebs and buoyed by word-of-mouth recommendations? Connor Treacy doesn’t want to find out. That’s why the business guru’s latest venture brings glitzy magic back to Hollywood’s dance floors. Just 30 years old, Connor Treacy boasts a resume that would leave most of us looking at our beige work history and feeling incredibly unambitious.Meeting with us at his nightclub before the night kicks off, Connor handles emails and texts from guests from his phone — hosting events in West Hollywood is familiar territory for Connor as an alumnus of Santa Monica High School and a current student at USC Gould School of Law, Connor boasts a wealth of knowledge and experience in both academic and real-world settings.With his trusty iPhone by his side, Treacy multitasks, setting up guests with accommodations while en route to OffSunset. This exclusive West Hollywood spot has a covert speakeasy vibe that only those in the know...

Officer Hospitalized after DUI Crash near 7th Avenue [Phoenix, AZ]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:01 GMT

Two-Vehicle DUI Crash near 7th Avenue and Bell Road Left Officer InjuredPHOENIX, AZ (August 1, 2023) – Friday night, an officer was injured following a DUI crash near the intersection of 7th Avenue and Bell Road.The incident occurred at around 9:30 p.m., July 28th, when the police officer was headed eastbound on Bell Road and entered the intersection of 7th Avenue.Furthermore, a driver turned in front of the officer and caused a collision.Consequently, paramedics were called to the scene and they transported the officer to a hospital. She has since been released.Following the crash, officials assessed the other involved driver and determined that he was driving under the influence.Further investigation is still underway and authorities processed the driver for DUI as the factor of the incident.The presence of alcohol or other altering substances in the body can impair thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination which are essential in operating a vehicle safely. So, never driv...

Letters: Insurance rates | County executive | Climate catastrophe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:01 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Flat rates are drivinginsurers from stateInsurance is needed to protect individuals and families from financial ruin and it is the catalyst for businesses to provide products and services that drive our economy.The Department of Insurance feels that they are doing the insurance-buying public a favor by not approving requested rate increases and driving carriers to cease providing coverage here in California. This normally highly competitive industry is seeing companies drop out of the state, and costs are soaring as buyers must look to non-admitted carriers like Lloyds of London.The primary responsibility of the insurance commissioner is to make sure that we have a robust insurance market and that rates are not excessive or inadequate.Maybe, just maybe, the Department of Insurance will come to its senses and realize that competition and available coverage is how this system delivers quality coverage at a...

49ers training camp: What we learned Tuesday about Brock Purdy, Jake Moody, Colton McKivitz

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:01 GMT

SANTA CLARA – Where have Brock Purdy’s manners gone at dinner? Relax, this isn’t a dad joke about not resting his precious elbow on the table.What you’re about to read is an example of Purdy’s persistence, at not just overcoming his throwing-elbow surgery in March but at overall improvement as the 49ers’ sure-fire starting quarterback.“He’s not happy where he’s at. He’s constantly working on things,” right tackle Colton McKivitz said after Tuesday’s practice. “Even at the dinner table, talking about what he can work on.”At dinner? “Yeah, he’s just talking about practice, man, talking about ‘ball,” McKivitz relayed.Purdy indeed cats a determined-looking, all-ball veneer at practice. He finished his fourth session of camp Tuesday with touchdown passes to Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings in red-zone drills; he was 8-of-11 passing in full-team action.Unlike last season’s rookie ways, Purdy did not celebrate by pretending to shoot guns with his hands or inject ice into his forearm’s...

Record number of people braving Darien Gap this year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:01 GMT

By Karol Suarez and Tara John | CNNThe number of migrants crossing the treacherous Darien Gap, a mountainous rainforest region that connects South and Central America, has broken a new record, according to immigration officials in Panama.The Panama migration authority’s deputy director Maria Isabel Saravia told media that 2022’s already-high number of crossings was surpassed on Monday.Last year was an “unprecedented year” where a total of 248,284 people crossed the Darién National Park, she said. 2023 now looks set to outstrip that number as the year continues.“With today and yesterday’s crossings of 1,869 people, there have been 248,901 crossings,” Saravia said Monday.Around 20% of the people making the dangerous trek are children and adolescents, authorities say.“Within that age group, at least 51% are five-year-old children or under. As the figures anticipated, we exceeded last year’s number (…) The last three years have been much higher than the last 11 years in crossings,” Sara...

SF Giants stand pat at MLB trade deadline as other contenders make moves

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:01 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Giants brass, from president Farhan Zaidi on down, have said they believe the believe the group of players in their clubhouse is a playoff-worthy one, and they made their strongest statement yet Tuesday, opting to stand pat ahead of MLB’s trade deadline.Among a group of five teams in a virtual tie for three National League wild card spots, well within striking distance of the division, the Giants will be counting on their biggest upgrades to come internally as they embark on the stretch run. They will soon get back Thairo Estrada and Mitch Haniger, but veteran outfielder A.J. Pollock will go down as their biggest deadline acquisition.Pollock arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday as the clock ticked down to the 3 p.m. PT deadline.As always, there was a flurry of movement in the hours leading up to the deadline. But none of it involved the Giants.Potential middle infield help was scooped up by the Blue Jays (Paul DeJong) and Braves (Nicky Lopez). Their closest comp...

Silicon Valley mayors will be stomping grapes at Italian Family Festa

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:01 GMT

Being a politician is a mixed bag. Sure, a degree of authority and a certain amount of respect come with the job, but you’ve also got to deal with all the gripes and happily pose at all those ribbon cutting ceremonies.But now and then you get to have some fun. That should be the case this Saturday when San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor and Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montaro take part in the age-old tradition of grape stomping at the Italian Family Festa in San Jose.With Lissa Kreisler, host of KCAT-TV’s “Community Stories,” serving as emcee, the trio of city leaders will do their best Lucy and Ethel impersonations by jumping into tubs of grapes and crushing them with their bare feet. It’s officially a competition, though it’s tough to say who has an advantage unless somebody’s hiding grape-crushing experience that’s not on their LinkedIn pages.Now, I would expect that Montaro and Gillmor wear heels more often than Ma...

National Night Out events being hosted by Bay Area cities Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:01 GMT

(BCN) -- This Tuesday, cities across the Bay Area will host their annual National Night Out events -- community gatherings held on the first Tuesday of August across the country that aim to build trust between law enforcement and the neighborhoods they serve. These events, which range from residential block parties to gatherings in public spaces, feature food, music, various activities, and the opportunity to connect with local law enforcement. In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed will join attendees at various events throughout the area, including at Boeddeker Park, the Ingleside Police Station and Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center. The events will begin at 4 p.m. Nima Momeni to stand trial for murder of Bob Lee, judge rules Three Berkeley libraries will host National Night Out events with refreshments and activities. The North Branch library will provide crafts, lawn games, popsicles, and music from 3-5 p.m. The Claremont branch will offer crafts and beverages from ...