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Sheriff: Not enough evidence yet to bring charges in death of Jewish demonstrator

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

Authorities do not yet have enough evidence to bring charges in the death of an elderly Jewish man who died from a head injury after an altercation with a pro-Palestinian protester in Thousand Oaks, authorities said on Thursday.The incident, which has gained national attention amid Israel's ongoing war with Hamas, occurred on Nov. 5 when demonstrators held dueling rallies at the intersection of Westlake Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard.Paul Kessler, 69, suffered a severe head injury when, according to the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, a pro-Palestinian demonstrator struck him with a megaphone. Kessler fell and hit his head on the pavement, the Ventura County Medical Examiner said. He died the next day at a hospital.Video posted to social media shows Paul Kessler lying on the ground after allegedly being struck with a megaphone at a pro-Palestinian rally in Thousand Oaks, California. Nov., 5, 2023. Among the many complexities in the case, investigators are dealing wi...

Hacienda La Puente school district considers closing campuses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

Parents and students crowded into a Hacienda La Puente Unified School District meeting Thursday night where officials discussed the possible closing of four schools.The district says it needs to close the schools as part of a reconstruction plan to address declining enrollment.The enrollment trend, which is being seen across numerous Los Angeles-area school districts, is being blamed on declining birth rates. The schools being considered for closure include Bixby Elementary School, Sunset Elementary School, Los Robles Academy and Del Valle Elementary School.Attendees, who spilled out of the board meeting room and into the hallways, urged the members not to move forward with the closures saying it would create transportation and safety issues, as well as disrupt students' education. “It is clear this plan did not take into account the emotional needs of our students. None of you thought about this. None of you thought about the disabled students with special needs. Those who walk and...

Love cable TV but want streaming? Xumo has both

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

It’s no secret that cord cutting is a trend, but once you do, live TV, especially events and sports, can be a challenge.Now, major cable companies Charter and Comcast have teamed up to offer a way to bridge the gap with a modern cable box that combines the best of live TV with streaming apps.It's called the Xumo Stream Box and you've probably seen it advertised if you live in an area that offers it. Spectrum recently started selling it and soon Xfinity will, too.I met up with Spectrum's Dennis Johnson at their Manhattan Beach Store to get a demo of the box and to see how it works.Dennis Johnson of SpectrumFollow Tech Reporter Rich DeMuro on Instagram for tech news, tips and reviews.For starters, it's much smaller and lighter than I expected. It's also very simple.In the box you get the Xumo device, a remote control (more on that in a bit), power and HDMI cable.The device is completely powered by an internet signal, either plugged in via ethernet or via Wi-Fi. You can "install" it yo...

Lyrics can be used as evidence during rapper Young Thug’s trial on gang and racketeering charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

By KATE BRUMBACK | Associated PressATLANTA — When rapper Young Thug goes to trial later this month on gang and racketeering charges, prosecutors will be allowed to use rap lyrics as evidence against him, a judge ruled Thursday.Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville said in court he would allow prosecutors to introduce 17 sets of lyrics they have identified as long as they can show that the lyrics are related to crimes that the rapper and others are accused of committing. Defense attorneys had asked the judge to exclude them, arguing the lyrics are constitutionally protected speech and would be unfairly prejudicial.Young Thug, whose given name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, was indicted last year along with more than two dozen others. After some defendants reached plea deals and others were separated to be tried later, opening statements are set to begin Nov. 27 in the trial of Young Thug and five others.Prosecutors have said Young Thug co-founded a violent criminal stre...

The first commercial carbon-sucking facility in the US opens in Bay Area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

By Nadia Lopez | BloombergThe US is getting its first commercial facility to soak up carbon dioxide from the ambient air for permanent storage, a nascent technology that’s been both lauded as crucial in fighting climate change and derided as a distraction that will delay the clean energy transition.The plant in Tracy, built by Silicon Valley startup Heirloom Carbon Technologies, puts California at the forefront of the emerging carbon removal industry as a handful of so-called direct air capture (DAC) hubs are also slated to get underway. Heirloom’s facility, unveiled Thursday, will be capable of removing and storing as much as 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year.That’s a pittance compared with bigger plants poised to come online in Texas and Louisiana, but it’s enough to serve as a milestone for a technology that’s likely to spawn a significant business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Google parent Alphabet Inc. are among the companies that have pledged hundreds of millions to buy ...

Cal defense seeks a break, and here comes struggling Washington State

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

BERKELEY — As the month of October began, the football prospects for both Cal and Washington State seemed promising, although the Cougars’ horizons were brighter still.Cal was 3-2 overall and 1-1 in Pac-12 play, coming off a home victory over Arizona State.WSU was 4-0, already the owner of wins over Wisconsin and Oregon State, ranked No. 13 in the AP Top 25 and the talk of college football.When they take the field against each other on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium, the Bears and Cougars will be fighting for their postseason lives and wondering what hit them in October.Cal (3-6, 1-5) has lost four in a row, surrendering 199 points to Oregon State, Utah, USC and Oregon — all Top 25 teams when they kicked off.WSU (4-5, 1-5) has dropped five in a row, its offense substantially diminished by a run game averaging just 39 yards during the losing streak. The Cougars totaled 4 yards rushing in a 10-7 home defeat last week to a Stanford team that had given up at least 40 points to i...

San Jose State Spartans chasing bowl eligibility, end to losing streak vs. Fresno State in rivalry game Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

SAN JOSE — The wardrobe for San Jose State players just got a little smaller this week.The Spartans play Fresno State on Saturday night at CEFCU Stadium, which explains why red wasn’t worn by SJSU players or coaches around campus or the football offices. It’s a tradition SJSU players embrace in preparation for the annual Battle for the Valley rivalry game.“It’s just something that we like to do to keep it aggressive and keep the tradition,” said safety Tre Jenkins. “It’s a rivalry and it just keeps those guys invested.”Motivation rarely is an issue when these teams play. But SJSU hasn’t defeated Fresno State since 2019, and there could be much more than taking back the Battle for the Valley Trophy on the line for the Spartans.SJSU (4-5, 3-2 Mountain West) must win two of its final three regular-season games to become bowl eligible for the second straight season and third time in the past four years. They enter Saturday night’s game riding a three-game w...

Petaluma police bids goodbye to retired 'life well lived' K-9 Basko

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

(BCN) -- Petaluma police bid farewell to a distinguished retired K-9, Basko, who passed away on Nov. 2.Basko died surrounded by friends and his family, also the family of his handler Detective Corie Joerger, police said Thursday. Livermore police say goodbye to beloved K9 Bugsy The K-9 veteran served the Petaluma Police Department from 2012 to 2020. Police said Basko, along with Joerger, was responsible for multiple arrests of high-risk suspects. He is also credited for the seizure of more than $3 million in U.S. currency and for the seizure of over $1 million worth of illegal drugs. Police expressed their gratitude to Joerger and her family "who loved and adored Basko and made his life after police work a life well lived."Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

Livermore police say goodbye to beloved K-9 Bugsy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

(BCN) -- Livermore police said goodbye to one of their retired K-9, Bugsy, who passed away Tuesday. Bugsy died at home with his family, also the family of his handler, police said Thursday. Sonoma Valley High lockdown lifted, threat deemed unfounded "K9 Bugsy proudly served the citizens of Livermore from 2013 until his retirement in 2019,"Livermore police wrote on social media. "Bugsy was a tremendous asset to our department and performed his job with pride and distinction. He selflessly served the Livermore community with his K-9 Handler, Officer Audrey Thompson. Police said since his retirement, Bugsy enjoyed his time at home with officer Thompson and her family. "Thank you K9 Bugsy for your years of dedicated service; you will be missed." Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

Live updates | Thousands of Palestinians flee fighting in Gaza’s north after safe passage announced

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:51 GMT

Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing the combat zone in the north after Israel announced a window for safe passage. Officials in the enclave said the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 11,000 people.The search for safety in Gaza is growing more desperate as combat intensifies. Gaza medical officials accused Israel of striking near hospitals on Friday, though Israel said at least one was the result of a misfired Palestinian rocket. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in New Delhi Friday that “far too many” Palestinians have died and more needs to be done to save lives and get aid where it’s most needed. He said the U.S. “appreciates” Israel’s steps to minimize civilian casualties but that’s not enough. Separately, United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk on Friday called for an investigation into what he called the “indiscriminate effect” of Israel’s bombardment and shelling in densely populated areas in the Gaza Strip.Turk urged Israel to end “the use of such m...