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Maui County sues utility, alleging negligence over fires that ravaged Lahaina

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER and GENE JOHNSON (Associated Press)HONOLULU (AP) — Maui County sued Hawaiian Electric Company on Thursday over the fires that devastated Lahaina, saying the utility negligently failed to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions. Witness accounts and video indicated that sparks from power lines ignited fires as utility poles snapped in the winds, which were driven by a passing hurricane. The Aug. 8 fire killed at least 115 people and left an unknown number of others missing. A spokesperson for Hawaiian Electric didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.Had the utility heeded weather service “warnings and de-energized their powerlines during the predicted high-wind gusts, this destruction could have been avoided,” the lawsuit said.The lawsuit said the utility had a duty “to properly maintain and repair the electric transmission lines, and other equipment including utility poles associated w...

Wife of O.C. mass shooting suspect wounded in massacre

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

The estranged wife of a retired Ventura police sergeant is among the six people wounded when he open fire at a popular biker bar in Trabuco Canyon Wednesday night.Three people were killed, while the gunman, John Snowling, was also fatally shot.Many questions remain unanswered about the shooting that may have stemmed from a domestic dispute, and authorities are expected to release more information during a 3 p.m. news conference Thursday.The ordeal unfolded around 7:05 p.m. at Cook’s Corner, located at 19152 Santiago Canyon Road in Trabuco Canyon.Witnesses described a chaotic and bloody scene as gunfire erupted both inside and outside the bar. Witnesses describe chaos during mass shooting at Orange County biker bar Several responding deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department were confronted by the suspect, who was armed with a long rifle and possible other weapons.Former Ventura police Sgt. John Snowling is seen at the Pacific View Mall. (Getty Images)Snowling was eventu...

Two Hospitalized after Three-Vehicle Collision near Loop 303 [Maricopa County, AZ]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

Drivers Critically Injured after Deadly Three-Vehicle Accident near Bethany Home RoadMARICOPA COUNTY, AZ (August 24, 2023) – Saturday morning, two drivers sustained following a collision near Loop 303.The incident occurred at around 6:30 a.m., August 19th, involving at least three vehicles occupied by one driver each.According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, one vehicle was overturned, and one obtained heavy front-end damage.Furthermore, two of the drivers were trapped in their respective vehicles, and they were extricated by the Rural Metro Fire crews.Immediately after that, the two drivers were transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. However, their current condition has yet not been released by authorities.Also, the third driver did not obtain any injuries. The offramp and onramp of Loop 303 at Bethany Home Road were blocked for several hours to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties. The roadway has since been reopened.Meanwhile, it was ...

Terrence Evans Killed in Motorcycle Crash on 90th Avenue [Oakland, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

Motorcycle Collision on 90th Avenue Left Terrence Evans DeadOAKLAND, CA (August 24, 2023) – Saturday afternoon, a crash on 90th Avenue claimed the life of Terrence Evans.The fatal incident happened on July 1st, at around 3:00 p.m., in the 1600 block of North 90th Avenue.Investigation showed that Evans was speeding northbound on 90th Avenue when he violated a double yellow line and failed to stop at an authorized stoplight at Plymouth Street.According to authorities, he then struck a Mercedes SUV that was doing a legal U-turn at the crossroads. As a result, Evans was thrown off of his motorcycle and suffered extreme injuries.Paramedics arrived at the scene shortly after and transported him to a local hospital for treatment. Later at the hospital, officials pronounced him dead, due to the extent of his injuries. Officials reported that he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.At this time, it was unknown if alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash. An active inves...

‘This destruction could have been avoided’: Maui County sues utility, alleging negligence over wildfires

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher and Gene Johnson | Associated PressHONOLULU — Maui County sued Hawaiian Electric Company on Thursday over the fires that devastated Lahaina, saying the utility negligently failed to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions.Witness accounts and video indicated that sparks from power lines ignited fires as utility poles snapped in the winds, which were driven by a passing hurricane. The Aug. 8 fire killed at least 115 people and left an unknown number of others missing.A spokesperson for Hawaiian Electric didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.Had the utility heeded weather service “warnings and de-energized their powerlines during the predicted high-wind gusts, this destruction could have been avoided,” the lawsuit said.The lawsuit said the utility had a duty “to properly maintain and repair the electric transmission lines, and other equipment including utility poles associated with their transmission of elect...

When sending a child off to college means gaining a bedroom

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

Every year, the migration happens. Flocks of kids leave home for college. In the United States, more than 40 percent of new college students move away from home. And you know what that means?Their parents gain a bedroom.For Gina, sending her only child away to college was bittersweet. While she missed having her home, being able to transform her daughter’s bedroom into a home office and private retreat took some of the sting away.“I wanted to make her room into a place I could use without making her feel kicked out,” said Gina, who shares the two-bedroom, 1,600-square-foot home in Chelmsford, Mass., with her husband.She hired interior designer Debbe Daley, of Portsmouth, NH, to help. “Sending a kid off to college stirs up a lot of emotions for both parent and child,” said Daley. “It’s a moment. The kids go off, and the parents look at this unused space and wonder what to do with it. Leaving the room as it is can be a sad reminder of all the missed activity.”I must butt in: Folks, ho...

‘Underground Economy’ task force raids Concord man’s home for allegedly selling counterfeit high-end accessories on OfferUp

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

CONCORD — A 57-year-old man has been charged with five felonies for allegedly running a scam for years that involved him allegedly advertising Rolex watches and other expensive luxury items on an online merchant app.The Concord resident has been charged with five felony counts of advertising counterfeit goods, after police raided his home arrested him in late June, court records show. He has pleaded not guilty and is next due in court in mid-September.During a search of his home, authorities found dozens of watches, belts, handbags, flip flops, backpacks, earrings, scarves, sandals, and other accessories that had been labeled with well-known designer brands like Gucci, Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Versache, and the National Football League, authorities said.The investigation was led by the Tax Recovery Underground Economy Task Force, a branch of the California Department of Justice that was founded by an assembly bill in 2020. The TRUE task forced was tipped off by an investigator wi...

The 10 most expensive reported home sales in San Jose the week of Aug. 14

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

A house in San Jose that sold for $3.2 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in San Jose in the past week.In total, 46 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $2 million, $1,030 per square foot.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Aug. 14 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $2.4 million, single-family home in the 1600 block of Peregrino WayThe sale of the single family residence in the 1600 block of Peregrino Way in San Jose has been finalized. The price was $2,367,000, and the new owners took over the house in August. The house was built in 1967 and has a living area of 2,300 square feet. The price per square foot was $1,029. The house features three bedrooms and three bathrooms.9. $2.6 million, single-family residence in the 7100 block of Wooded Lake DriveThe sale of the single-family residence in the 7...

Kevin Costner’s wealth quadrupled to $400 million during marriage, estranged wife claims

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

It’s no secret that Kevin Costner is rich, but his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner believes he is much wealthier than he has previously acknowledged as she seeks to force him to turn over information about his finances amid their contentious divorce and court fights over child support and a 2004 prenuptial agreement.According to new court filings obtained by TMZ, Baumgartner said Costner’s net worth is close to $400 million. That’s more than the $250 million cited in recent news reports and much, much more than the $102 million in assets the 68-year-old actor and director claimed to have when they were negotiating their prenuptial agreement ahead of their 2004 wedding.In the court filings, Baumgartner, 49, questions whether Costner disclosed his full net worth when she signed the prenuptial agreement, TMZ reported. Apparently, she and her legal team find it hard to believe that he was able to quadruple his net worth over the past two decades. They also allege ...

Autopsy finds woman found dead last week in Oakland was stabbed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

OAKLAND — An autopsy has determined that a woman whose decomposed body was found in East Oakland last week was stabbed to death, authorities said.The woman’s identity has still not been confirmed by coroner’s staff.Her body was found about 8:45 a.m. Aug. 14 behind some bushes in the 2700 block of 79th Avenue, a primarily residential area, by a maintenance worker.An autopsy conducted earlier this week revealed that the woman had been stabbed, police said.Homicide investigators are trying to determine a motive for the killing and identify suspects.Authorities have not determined how long the woman was at the site before she was found or said if they believe she was killed there or somewhere else.Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $10,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the killer. Anyone with information about the woman or a suspect is asked to call homicide investigators at 510-238-3821 or 510-238-7950 or Crime Stoppers ...