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Letters: Inflating story | Better off | Insulating wires | Psychiatric beds | Resources needed | 21st-century reality

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:16 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Pink Poodle headlineinflates material in storyRe: “Mayor blasts firefighter probe answers” (Page A1, Aug. 17).San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan “blasted” the San Jose Fire Department after the release of the investigative report into the misuse of a fire truck to give a ride to a bikini-clad dancer. At least that’s what The Mercury News’ headline said.But in reality, the mayor was quoted as being “disappointed” and “concerned.” These were the juiciest quotes available to support a sensational headline, the latest headline of several intended by your paper to turn a mildly wacky lapse in judgment into a massive corruption scandal.The Mercury News’ vendetta against public employees continues, and with this story, the grudge has outstripped its available source material.Tony FlemmerSan JoseS.J. would be betteroff without PG&ERe: “City Council to consider leaving PG&E, form own ...

More charges: Five Antioch, Pittsburg cops allegedly accepted bribes, including tequila, to make traffic tickets go away

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:16 GMT

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged five Antioch and Pittsburg police officers in an alleged conspiracy to drop traffic tickets in exchange for apparent bribes of food and liquor, court records filed Friday show.The documents show former Antioch police Officer Timothy Manly Williams was charged with felony counts of conspiracy to commit an act injurious to public and accepting a bribe in a 2020 case where he allegedly accepted Teremana tequila – the brand founded by actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – from a person in exchange for help making a traffic ticket go away.The tequila made its way to Antioch patrol Officer Andrea Rodriguez, who court documents allege received the tequila for failing to appear in court Nov. 2, 2020, in a traffic case despite being subpoenaed. Other officers implicated in the court documents include Antioch patrol Officer Calvin Prieto; former Pittsburg Officer Ernesto Mejia-Orozco and Antioch Officer Ben Padilla.The officers are scheduled...

Lucky's in Novato closed due to 'active' rat infestation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:16 GMT

(KRON) -- A Lucky's supermarket in Novato was closed Thursday due to an active infestation of rats, according to Marin County Environmental Health Services. The entire store has been closed.As of Thursday, Lucky supermarket in Novato had a "Closed" sign from the County of Marin Environmental Health Services. A KRON4 photographer visited the market on Thursday at its 1761 Grant Ave location. Trader Joe’s crackers product recalled, may contain metal "This facility was found to have violations of the California Health and Safety Code which constitute an immediate danger to public health or safety," the sign said. "As a result, the permit to operate has been temporarily suspended and this facility has been ordered to remain closed until a written reinstatement of the permit has been issued." The sign said the violation was in the "insect/rodent control" category. It was put up on Thursday. "Closures due to pest infestations occur periodically, but not as often with large grocery store...

Miguel Cabrera ties Mel Ott for 11th on career RBI list, Tigers top Guardians 4-2 in 1st game of DH

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:16 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Miguel Cabrera drove in a run to tie Mel Ott for 11th place on the career RBIs list and Akil Baddoo homered on the second pitch of the game, sending the Detroit Tigers to a 4-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians in the opener of a doubleheader Friday.Cabrera’s first-inning double scored Kerry Carpenter, giving him 1,868 RBIs in 21 major league seasons. It also was his 3,148th hit, putting the 40-year-old within four of tying Paul Waner for 18th all-time.Baddoo’s second career leadoff homer came off rookie Gavin Williams (1-4), whose winless streak reached seven starts. The right-hander worked five innings, allowing three runs, and struck out four.Tarik Skubal (3-2) pitched a season-high six innings of one-run ball in his first win against Cleveland in seven career outings. The left-hander allowed three hits, struck out seven and walked one.Tyler Holton got six outs after Skubal departed, and Jason Foley surrendered one run while earning his sixth save.Carpenter extend...

The NFL’s relaxed jersey rules are not for nothing. Meet the players who now wear No. 0

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:16 GMT

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Marcus Davenport was on his way to meet his best man for some day-before wedding preparations when he took a call from his new head coach Kevin O’Connell.The Minnesota Vikings had just drafted Jordan Addison. Call it first-round privilege, but the rookie wide receiver had worn the No. 3 jersey his whole life. That was Davenport’s original pick upon signing with Minnesota as a free agent the previous month, but the sixth-year outside linebacker agreed to switch with his mind happily preoccupied with the impending nuptials. All the numbers in the 90s were claimed, and Davenport was disinterested in negotiating a trade with — or putting pressure on — a teammate. He then made the first of many wise decisions as a married man: He listened to his wife.“She was like, ‘Nobody has really ever had zero. Why don’t you be different? This is a new chapter, a new you,’” Davenport recalled in an interview after a recent practice with the Vikings. “I like...

Court strikes down oil railroad approval, siding with Eagle County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:16 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Siding with Colorado's Eagle County, a U.S. appeals court on Friday struck down a critical approval for a railroad project that would have allowed oil businesses in eastern Utah to significantly expand fossil fuel production and exports.The ruling is the latest development in the fight over the proposed Uinta Basin Railway, an 88-mile (142-kilometer) railroad line that would connect oil and gas producers in rural Utah to the broader rail network, allowing them to access larger markets and ultimately sell to refineries near the Gulf of Mexico. The railroad would let producers, currently limited to tanker trucks, ship an additional 350,000 barrels of crude daily on trains extending for up to 2 miles (3.2 kilometers). Suncor settles with EPA for raining ash on the community The Washington, D.C.-based appeals court ruled that a 2021 environmental impact statement and biological opinion from the federal Surface Transportation Board were rushed and violated federal...

Suncor to pay $300K for raining ash on the community

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:16 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Suncor rained an ash-like substance on the community around its Commerce City refinery, and now the company will pay after it reached a settlement with regulators.A catalyst released from the refinery back in December 2019 caused a white, clay-like material to fall on the neighborhood nearby. While the company said the substance was not hazardous, elementary and middle schools were forced to shelter indoors as the material piled up on vehicles and buildings around them. Big rig hangs off I-25 bridge for hours after deadly crash Suncor offered free car washes for a week after the incident.On Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement worth more than $300,000 over the incident.Suncor to pay fine, fund fire equipmentSuncor will pay $60,000 in civil penalties. It also will spend at least $240,030 on emergency response equipment for the South Adams County Fire Department, with the aim of improving its ability to respond to chemical accidents, acc...

Officer seriously hurt after being dragged by suspect's car during arrest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:16 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — A Brighton Police officer is recovering after being seriously injured while attempting to arrest a domestic violence suspect.On Aug. 16 at 6 p.m., Brighton Police Department officers were called to the 400 block of North 19th Avenue after learning a wanted suspect, 49-year-old Robert Trujillo, was inside a parked car. Trujillo was wanted on a domestic violence felony warrant. When officers found the car and attempted to contact Trujillo, he refused to get out, according to police. Trujillo then drove away while an officer was attempting to remove him from the car. 1 killed in Friday morning shooting on Sheridan Boulevard According to Brighton Police, Trujillo began driving at a high rate of speed while the officer was still holding onto him. Trujillo allegedly hit two other cars in the parking lot and continued to drive 76 feet before the officer fell off.Brighton Police said the officer is still in the hospital but is expected to make a full recovery. Police said ...

The Great American Beer Fest lineup is here

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:16 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Great American Beer Festival just released its lineup for September. Last year, there were 500 breweries and almost 10,000 beers in the competition. This year, there's a lot more beer to sort through, so FOX31 picked out a few standouts to try at the festival: 20 of the best breweries in the Denver metro area Buck Wild BrewingBased in Oakland, California, this brewing company won gold at the festival last year. It presented the Alpenglow, which is a hazy IPA. You can find it at booths 14-15 this year. Morgan Territory BrewingTest out Hoptomic, which won gold at this year's World Beer Cup. It's a double IPA with hints of citrus, pine and resin. Real Ale Brewing CompanyFiremans #4 is another gold winner to try out at the festival. It's a year-round blonde ale and is the company's best-selling beer, with a smooth malt and zesty hops.Deschutes Brewery - Production FacilityComing from Bend, Oregon, the brewery took home gold last year for its Hachimitsu Mai Lager, ...

‘She is the universe’: Beyoncé fans get in formation at Hard Rock Stadium; ballroom legend Kevin Aviance to host after party

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:16 GMT

It’s a show that’s got the BeyHive buzzing. Fans are getting in formation for Beyoncé’s big return to South Florida, and so is Alex Miranda.The Queen…Fan 1: “Mother.”Fan 2: “She is the universe. She is alien superstar.Fan 3: “Creator, she’s just everything.”…has entered the building. Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, that is, where Beyoncé has brought her Renaissance World Tour.Fan 4: “I probably won’t even record a second of this concert, ’cause I’m just too excited.”Alex Miranda: “Don’t do it! Enjoy the concert.”Fan 5: “I plan on losing my voice tonight.”The fans…Fan 6: “I think I’ll faint. I don’t know, you might have to call 911.Alex Miranda: “She’s here! She’s in there somewhere.You’re that close to Beyoncé.”Fan 6: “We’re going to breathe the same air.”…who we all know as the...