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California to spend $300 million to clear homeless encampments near highways

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:38 GMT

California will set aside approximately $300 million for local jurisdictions statewide to help clear homeless encampments, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday.About half of the grants will be used to prioritize clearing encampments near "state right-of-way, helping to make sure the state’s highways remain safe and secure for everyone," a news release said. Is the ‘California exodus’ still happening? What new U.S. Census numbers show “Since day one, combatting homelessness has been a top priority. Encampments are not safe for the people living in them or for community members around them. The state is giving locals hundreds of millions of dollars to move people into housing and clean up these persistent and dangerous encampments. And we are doing the same on state land, having removed 5,679 encampments since 2021,” Newsom said in a statement.The new grant comes after the state awarded $414 million from the Encampment Resolution Fund, established through Assembly Bill 140 in 2021. T...

These are California's most expensive neighborhoods for renters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:38 GMT

With mortgage rates hitting a generational high and affordable homes hard to find in major metropolitan areas, many Californians are opting to rent instead of buy.But even that comes with a steep price tag.A new study from RentHop, an online apartment rental service, shows that 30 of the most expensive rental zip codes in the United States are in California and, of that, half are in metro Los Angeles.The company looked at over 1.9 million rental listings nationwide to compile its list. It found New York City remains the most expensive city for renters with 39 of the top 100 zip codes, one more than last year. Rent control headed for the California ballot, again Nationally, Miami's tiny Fisher Island (population 360) has the priciest median rent in the United States of $20,000 per month for two bedrooms, followed by New York’s Westhampton Beach ($18,000/month).30 of the 100 most expensive zip codes for rentals is in California, according to RentHop. November 2023. (RentHop)Montecit...

Phish announces Las Vegas Sphere residency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:38 GMT

The next act at the groundbreaking Las Vegas Sphere has been announced. Phish announced they'll be taking the stage at the eye-popping venue for a limited engagement in April of 2024."Announcing four unique shows at @SphereVegas," the band posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday morning. The shows will take place on April 18, 19, 20 and 21. These will be the only shows the band will perform at the venue in 2024.The many looks of the Sphere in Las Vegas which opens Sept. 29, 2023. (KLAS)"Each of Phish’s shows will feature completely unique setlists and visuals, making every show a truly once-in-a-lifetime audio-visual experience," the X account for the Sphere posted.“From the moment we first heard about Sphere and its potential, we’ve been dreaming up ways to bring our show to this breathtaking canvas,” Trey Anastasio, Phish guitarist and vocalist, said in a statement obtained by Billboard. “We’re thrilled to present this completely unique experience to Phish fans.”Members of the ...

Jessikah Richardson Dies in Motorcycle Collision on Watercrest Drive [Killeen, TX]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:38 GMT

34-Year-Old Woman Pronounced Dead after Motorcycle Accident on Bachelor Button BoulevardKILLEEN, TX (November 30, 2023) – A fatal motorcycle accident claimed the life of Jessikah Richardson Friday night on Watercrest Drive and Bachelor Button Boulevard. The incident occurred at approximately 4:15 p.m.According to reports, a 2022 Chevrolet pickup truck was stationary in the westbound lane of Watercrest Drive, anticipating a turn onto southbound Bachelor Button Boulevard.In a sudden turn of events, a 2018 Chevrolet SUV collided with the rear of the pickup truck, propelling it into the eastbound lane. There, the vehicle collided with a 2008 Kawasaki motorcycle, ejecting the female passenger onto the road.Despite immediate life-saving interventions, emergency responders later declared 34-year-old Richardson deceased at the scene.Presently, an active investigation is underway to gather additional information. Further details will be provided as soon as they become available.The tea...

Man Killed in Pedestrian Accident on West Fort Lowell Road [Tucson, AZ]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:38 GMT

Male Victim Pronounced Dead after Pedestrian Collision near North Castro AvenueTUCSON, AZ (November 30, 2023) – On Monday evening, one man was killed in a pedestrian accident on West Fort Lowell Road.First responders arrived at the scene around 8:30 p.m., near North Castro Avenue on November 20th.Investigators say the driver of a grey 2013 Volkswagen Passat struck a man who was crossing the road. Upon impact, the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.Paramedics arrived and transported the man to a nearby hospital where he later died. However, authorities have not yet released his identity.Following preliminary duties, officers determined that the driver was not impaired. In addition, the pedestrian was wearing dark-colored clothing in an area with no street lights.At this time, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway. Once available, more details will be provided.The team at Sweet James would like to tak...

Lakeshia Savala, Joanna Cain Killed in Wrong-Way Accident on Highway 287 [Midlothian, TX]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:38 GMT

Two Pronounced Dead after Wrong-Way Collision near Walnut Grove RoadMIDLOTHIAN, TX (November 30, 2023) – Lakeshia Savala and Joanna Cain died early Saturday in a head-on crash on Highway 287 and Plainview Road.Dispatchers responded near Walnut Grove Road after receiving multiple dispatch calls. According to reports, the driver of a northbound vehicle was traveling in the southbound lanes of the freeway. The wrong-way car then crashed another vehicle head-onMedical personnel later declared the driver and one of their passengers deceased, due to the extent of their condition. Police later identified the deceased victims as 38-year-old Savala, and 38-year-old Cain.At this time, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway.The team at Sweet James offers their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of Lakeshia Savala and Joanna Cain. May you find comfort and strength during this difficult time.It is important to have strong l...

Russia high court ruling effectively bans LGBTQ activism

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:38 GMT

By Dasha Litvinova | Associated PressTALLINN, Estonia — Russia’s Supreme Court effectively outlawed LGBTQ+ activism on Thursday, the most drastic step against advocates of gay, lesbian and transgender rights in the increasingly conservative country.Ruling in response to a lawsuit filed by the Justice Ministry, the court labeled what the suit called the LGBTQ+ “movement” operating in Russia as an extremist organization and banned it.The ruling is the latest step in a decade-long crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia under President Vladimir Putin, who has emphasized “traditional family values” during his 24 years in power.Thursday’s closed-door hearing lasted four hours. No one besides Justice Ministry representatives were allowed in, and there was no defendant. Journalists were taken into the courtroom only for the reading of the verdict by Judge Oleg Nefedov, who wore a face mask, apparently for health reasons.The case was classified, and the mini...

San Jose: Gun task force arrests two after discovering drug and weapons cache

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:38 GMT

SAN JOSE — Two men have been arrested after a raid of a mobile home in South San Jose yielded an illegal gun-making operation featuring several illegal assault rifles and machine guns, as well as enough fentanyl and other narcotics to arouse suspicion of drug trafficking, authorities say.The Santa Clara County Gun Violence Task Force — comprised of the district attorney’s office and local law enforcement officers — conducted a warrant search of a home on Ford Road on Tuesday. It was part of a weapons investigation that led to the arrests of residents Calvin Le, 25, and John Phan, 33.Le has been charged with 13 felony counts encompassing illegal gun manufacturing, possession of assault weapons, possession of a machine gun, and illegally selling fentanyl, MDMA and cocaine, according to a criminal complaint. Phan was charged with five felony counts covering similar drug crime allegations and illegally possessing ammunition and a handgun with an “obliterate...

Japan suspends Osprey flights after fatal USAF crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:38 GMT

By Mari Yamaghuchi and Tara Copp | Associated PressTOKYO — Japan suspended flights by its Osprey aircraft Thursday, officials said, the day after a U.S. Air Force Osprey based in Japan crashed into the sea during a training mission.Tokyo says it has also asked the U.S. military to ground all Ospreys operating in Japan except for those joining the search operations at the crash site. At least one of the eight crew members aboard was killed, but the status of the others was not yet known.A senior defense ministry official, Taro Yamato, told a parliamentary hearing that Japan has suspended flights of Ospreys until details of the crash and safety are confirmed. The cause of Wednesday’s crash was not yet known.The U.S.-made Osprey is a hybrid aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter but can rotate its propellers forward and cruise much faster, like an airplane, during flight.Ministry officials said a planned training flight Thursday at the Metabaru army camp in the Saga ...

Man killed in Richmond freeway multi-vehicle crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:38 GMT

RICHMOND — A driver killed Tuesday night in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 80 was identified by the coroner’s office Thursday as a 49-year-old San Francisco man.The crash, which involved three vehicles, happened about 9:51 p.m. Tuesday on eastbound I-80 just west of Carlson Boulevard, the California Highway Patrol said.The vehicles involved were a Nissan Frontier pickup truck driven by the man killed, as well as a Toyota RAV4 SUV and a Lexus GS 350, authorities said.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Vehicular manslaughter, other charges filed in hit-and-run death of 86-year-old East Bay man Crashes and Disasters | East Bay Woman charged in connection to deadly wrong-way Peninsula crash Crashes and Disasters | Woman arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run, child endangerment after deadly San Jose crash Crashes and Disasters | Victim identified in Friday’s fiery crash on Highway 1 near San Gregorio ...