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Response to fiery Ohio derailment frustrated by poor communication and incomplete information

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:49 GMT

By JOSH FUNK (AP Business Writer)OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Firefighters who responded to February’s fiery train derailment in Ohio struggled to immediately identify the hazardous chemicals the train was hauling due to a lack of communication from the railroad, officials said Thursday.During a public hearing in East Palestine — where thousands of residents had to evacuate their homes because of the derailment — National Transportation Safety Board chairwoman Jennifer Homendy asked why Norfolk Southern was able to provide details of the freight to one of its contractors within 10 minutes of the Feb. 3 derailment, but that it took an hour to get that information to first responders.Knowing what was on the train helps firefighters determine the proper response.The two-day NTSB hearing was designed to provide information to residents, officials and investigators about the emergency response and the crucial decision three days after the derailment to release toxic vinyl c...

As Dick’s Sporting Goods Park prepares for more heavy storms after Colorado Rapids’ postponement Wednesday, modern turf techniques will keep field in shape

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:49 GMT

COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids will have to wait until Saturday to play for their first home win of the 2023 MLS season.The Rapids had their game against the Vancouver Whitecaps postponed Wednesday night due to inclement weather. But for how concerning the weather was, the field should hold up for Saturday’s game against LA Galaxy.A torrential amount of wind, hail and rain battered Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in numerous bands, and after a four-hour, eight minute delay, at 11:41 p.m., the game was officially postponed by MLS officials without a ball being kicked. The first delay came at 7:36 p.m., just after the pregame national anthems wrapped up. The game will be rescheduled at a later date, and tickets will be valid for whenever the game will be made up.Once it hit DSGP, the storm lashed throughout the night. It was severe enough that a bolt of lightning struck near the east side of the stadium just after 9 p.m., which resulted in “electrical difficulties” as it knocked...

Colorado and federal agencies warn public of new fentanyl threats

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:49 GMT

Although deaths from fentanyl plateaued in Colorado from 2021 to 2021, deadlier and more potent versions of the drug are being seized in record amounts in 2023.“Fentanyl is deadly, and we are seeing new combinations of drugs mixed with fentanyl making it even more dangerous,” said Cole Finegan, U.S. Attorney for Colorado in a Thursday news release from the FBI. “Unless a drug comes from a licensed pharmacist, don’t take it. Your life depends on it.”According to the news release, fentanyl remains the leading cause of drug-related deaths in Colorado, increasing by more than 70% throughout the state in 2021. Two milligrams of fentanyl, just enough to fit on the tip of a pencil, is considered a potentially lethal dose.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Grand County officials searching for missing teen last seen Wednesday Crime and Public Safety | Denver Police Department lacks clear plan to tackle low morale and high turnover, city audit finds Crim...

Firefighters battle blaze in downtown Los Angeles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:49 GMT

Los Angeles firefighters battled a blaze at a downtown building Thursday afternoon.The fire was first reported around 3:15 p.m. at a building on the 700 block of South San Pedro Street.According to Los Angeles Fire Department officials, a commercial building was heavily engulfed in flames.The building was occupied and firefighters were working to ensure all the occupants safely evacuated. The buildings on that block appeared to be mixed use with apartments located on top of businesses. Video posted to the Citizen app showed smoke pouring out of the building as crews worked to evacuate all occupants. Aerial video from Sky5 showed two parts of the building burning with black smoke coming from both the front and back of the building. San Pedro Street was closed in the immediate vicinity of the blaze as firefighters were on scene.

Black people disproportionately arrested for violating L.A. homeless ordinance, controller report shows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:49 GMT

Black people have been disproportionately arrested for violating a city ordinance that critics say is used to punish the unhoused, according to a new report released by the Los Angeles City Controller's Office.Controller Kenneth Mejia released a detailed interactive map Thursday that shows a breakdown of the arrests made under Los Angeles Municipal Code 41.18, which prohibits sitting, lying or storing items in the public right-of-way. Between January 2012 and May 2023, authorities arrested 36,807 people for violating the municipal code, according to Mejia's office, citing data obtained from the Los Angeles Police Department.Of those arrests, more than 42% were Black people. Recent U.S. Census data indicates Black or African Americans make up less than 10% of the general population of Los Angeles. A chart shows the breakdown of arrests in Los Angeles for violation of Municipal Code 41.18, also known as the anti-camping law. (Los Angeles Controller’s Office)LAMC 41.18 is a highly-cont...

2 Killed, Girl Hospitalized after Fiery Crash on Davis Street [San Leandro, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:49 GMT

Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Near A Street and Hathaway Avenue Resulted in Two FatalitiesSAN LEANDRO, CA (June 22, 2023) – Early Monday morning, a police pursuit following a fiery crash on Davis Street left two suspects dead and a girl injured.Deputies responded to a chase shortly before 2:00 a.m. near A Street and Hathaway Avenue in the city of Hayward.Subsequently, authorities managed to locate the stolen 2007 gray Toyota Camry that was carjacked by a victim on Sunday.Deputies tried to pull over the Toyota while traveling north on I-880 near Highway 238. However, the driver ignored law enforcement and exited the highway at a high rate of speed.Eventually, the suspect lost control of the vehicle in the area of Davis Street after attempting to evade a tire deflation device. The suspect then crashed head-on into a tree near Preda Street.Authorities declared the two suspects inside the vehicle dead at the scene. Their identities remain undisclosed by the police. Meanwhile, a 14-year-o...

The Diamond Bank Is A Hidden Gem Against LA’s Jewelry Trove

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:49 GMT

            It’s often said that artists are defined by their eyes and how they see the world around them, which extends into the art of jewelry making and craftsmanship. Diamond diving is more precarious than you might imagine, for natural diamonds sparkle singularly in their own light, each one shaped and sculpted uniquely from the next. An eye for detail and diversity are required to identify true treasures, and The Diamond Bank, one of the most recognizable names in jewelry in Los Angeles and beyond, has perfected the art of ornamentation through decades of refinement and trust baked into the community, and the eyes that search for these pieces. Part of the charm that defines The Diamond Bank is their bespoke nature even after years of growth and development, retaining a distinctly artisanal quality unrivaled in the jewelry space. Much of this work is attributed to Chris Arakel, owner and lead designer, who embarked on his own journey 25 years ago.            Fittingly tucked in...

Mark Wright – An Enthusiastic Entrepreneur Striving to Make His Name Stand Out from the Rest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:49 GMT

Continuous digitalization has made it possible to do more and more things online, whether it’s getting a loan, opening a bank account, or getting a credit card. Changes have been observed not only with individual customers, but, more intriguingly, with corporate finance management including the entrepreneurial industry. This pushes entrepreneurs who run long-term and profitable businesses to keep an eye on the horizon.In order to make their business run smoothly, all entrepreneurs must complete a long list of tasks. Some of those to-dos include long-term planning for the budgets and management system. Taking a business to the next level necessitates organizational strength in six key areas or components: vision, people, data, having an immediate problem resolution culture, using the 20/80 rule for process development, and gaining traction, or ensuring that everyone in the organization is rowing in the same direction. Intending to do the same many financial institutions adapted...

San Jose’s Tabard Theatre going old school with weekend telethon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:49 GMT

Tabard Theatre Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Williams will channel his inner Jerry Lewis this weekend when he stages a 27-hour fundraising telethon at the downtown San Jose venue. And like most fun ideas, this one was born of equal parts inspiration and desperation.The theater found itself with a hole in its schedule this weekend, Williams said, and he decided to double down on its new role as a performance venue by quickly putting together the telethon. Sure, it’s a little bit kitsch, but that’s right in line with the new Tabard vibe.“This is a fundraiser, but we also want to get the message out there that we’re reinventing ourselves, no longer as a theater-producing organization but as a nonprofit with a new mission centered around creating a safe and supportive space for artists to share their work with the community,” Williams said. “We want to galvanize the community that appreciates this space.”When he thought about the range of...

‘Intentional concealment’: Prosecutors claim former Fremont city manager hid misdeeds to strike rich payday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:49 GMT

Fremont’s embattled former city manager is facing new accusations of fraudulently concealing his misuse of a city-issued credit card to land a final, nearly-300,000 check from the city while on his way out, according to a new criminal complaint.Mark Danaj, whose tenure as the city’s top administrator ended ignominiously in 2021, now stands accused of obtaining money, labor or property by false pretenses after prosecutors say he mislead Fremont’s City Council while negotiating a hefty severance package during his final days on the job. The latest felony charge includes a special allegation of aggravated white collar crime, because the suspected amount taken from the city reached six figures.The new allegation comes days before Danaj was set to appear for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday. Prosecutors last year filed felony charges of embezzlement and public officer crime against Danaj, alleging he repeatedly used a city credit card on travel, medical services, food d...