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Mysterious golden orb discovered on the ocean floor

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:45 GMT

Scientists are trying to unravel the mystery of the golden orb.It might sound like a movie plot, but in this case, it's not.Researchers with NOAA’s Ocean Exploration discovered the golden orb-like organism while operating a remote-controlled submarine off the coast of Alaska at a depth of roughly two miles on Aug. 30.“It’s like the beginning of a horror movie,” one crew member said when they first encountered the specimen. “Pretty sure this is how the first episode of the X-Files started,” said another.A screenshot of the orb-like specimen found on the ocean floor on Aug. 30, 2023. (NOAA)So what is it?Initial thoughts range from a dead sponge attachment to coral, to an egg casing.“This golden orb … struck an imaginative chord for many watching,” NOAA tweeted.Scientists are looking forward to examining the specimen in a laboratory once NOAA ship, Okeanos Explorer, returns to shore.It's unknown if the orb is associated with a known species or perhaps an entirely new one.This unid...

Company pulls spicy One Chip Challenge from shelves after teen's death

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:45 GMT

The maker of an extremely spicy tortilla chip sold as the One Chip Challenge and popularized as a dare on social media is pulling the product after the family of a Massachusetts teenager blamed the stunt for his death.The cause of Harris Wolobah's death last Friday hasn't been determined and an autopsy was still pending as of Thursday, but the 14-year-old's family blames the challenge. Since his death, the Texas-based manufacturer, Paqui, has asked retailers to stop selling the individually wrapped chips — a step 7-Eleven has already taken.The One Chip Challenge chip sells for about $10 and comes wrapped in a sealed foil pouch that is enclosed in a coffin-shaped cardboard box. The package warns that the chip is made for the “vengeful pleasure of intense heat and pain,” is intended for adults and should be kept out of reach of children.Paqui, a subsidiary of The Hershey Company, said in a statement posted on its website Thursday that it was “deeply saddened by the death” of Wolobah.“...

1 Hospitalized after Motorcycle Crash at Glenwood Street [El Paso, TX]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:45 GMT

EL PASO, TEXAS (August 29, 2023) – On Wednesday, an unidentified person sustained major injuries following a motorcycle crash at Glenwood Street.The accident happened on the morning of August 16th along Glenwood Street and El Paso Drive.According to reports, the events surrounding the incident are unknown; however, responding officials transported a motorcyclist with serious injuries to University Medical Center for treatment.At this time, authorities have not yet released a description of the other vehicles or drivers involved.El Paso police continue to investigate the motorcycle crash at Glenwood Street and will provide additional updates once available.Motorcyclists rarely escape injury when an accident occurs. It is important to never underestimate the bike’s speed when you’re riding a motorcycle. Additionally, strictly follow traffic laws and the conditions of the road. For other drivers, do not tailgate a motorcyclist and maintain a safe following distance. Give motorcyc...

Two Hurt in Racing Crash on Jefferson Boulevard [Murrieta, CA]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:45 GMT

Lamborghini Driver Wanted after Traffic Collision in MurrietaMURRIETA, CA (September 7, 2023) – Friday evening, a racing crash on Jefferson Boulevard involving two Lamborghini Huracans left two hurt.The traffic collision happened at around 6:30 p.m., on Jefferson Boulevard.According to reports, one of the drivers of the Huracan lost control while racing, causing them to hit a third vehicle in the far-right lane.Medical responders arrived at the scene and treated the third vehicle driver at the scene. Meanwhile, one of the Hurucan drivers was rushed to a hospital with unspecified injuries.The police will later arrest the racing driver for suspected reckless driving and participating in an illegal speed contest.Police said the other Lamborghini driver fled the scene with the vehicle before the authorities arrived. In addition, investigators claimed that one of the vehicles clearly exceeded the 45 mph speed, evident from the debris at the scene.At this time, authorities have not ...

Three juveniles arrested in connection with shooting at Oakland’s Skyline High School

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:45 GMT

OAKLAND – Authorities on Thursday announced the arrest of a third juvenile suspect in connection with a shooting earlier this week at Skyline High School in Oakland.The shooting happened just before 11:30 a.m. Tuesday near the theater area of the campus, which is located at 12250 Skyline Blvd., according to the Oakland Police Department. Officers arrested two juveniles and recovered a firearm the same day.No shooting victims were found. The high school was placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure.On Wednesday, officers arrested a third juvenile and recovered a second firearm, police said.The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against the three juveniles, according to police.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Man killed in Oakland Embarcadero shooting early Thursday Crime and Public Safety | East Bay construction workers robbed in broad daylight Crime and Public Safety | Hayward police fatally shoot man w...

Alameda police say they’ve solved the mystery of who killed Pleasanton woman and dumped her body along the shore

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:45 GMT

ALAMEDA — Police here say they’ve not only identified the badly decomposed body of a woman that turned up on shore last month, but arrested a suspect who has been booked on murder charges after a Thursday morning raid.The suspect, identified through jail records as 42-year-old Joseph Roberts, has been charged with murder and booked into Santa Rita Jail on a no-bail hold. He is set to be arraigned Friday morning in Dublin, court records show.The badly decomposed body of the victim, identified by police as 27-year-old Rachel Elizabeth Imani Buckner, was found inside a plastic bag on the shoreline near the Bay Farm Island Bridge in Alameda. The grisly discovery was made on July 20 by a dog who led his owner to the bag. The owner cut the bag open and notified police, authorities say.The charging records allege Roberts killed Buckner on or about July 13, and police determined her body was dumped no later than July 18, authorities say. Police haven’t disclosed the motive...

Schiff leads Porter, Lee — and Steve Garvey — in race to succeed Feinstein in U.S. Senate, but many undecided

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:45 GMT

The latest poll in the race to succeed Dianne Feinstein in the U.S. Senate gave a boost Thursday to Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, putting him ahead of fellow Southern California Democrat Rep. Katie Porter and double digits in front of Oakland Rep. Barbara Lee, who’s struggling to get voters’ attention.But Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll director Mark Di Camillo said the race remains a “wide-open affair.”“About a third of voters remain undecided,” Di Camillo said. “That’s a lot of voters. Voters by and large haven’t tuned into the Senate race. So there are opportunities out there for Lee and even Republicans to increase their name recognition, but it’s also very expensive to do in California.”The poll found 20% support for Schiff, 17% for Porter and 7% for Lee, the same as for leading Republican James Bradley and former baseball star Steve Garvey, a political novice who some Republicans are encouraging t...

Letters: A good start | Wrong track | Math scores | Accountability problem

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:45 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.SB 9 good startingpoint for housingRe: “Popular housing narrative upended by planning expert” (Page A12, Aug. 27).In her oped Lafayette City Councilwoman Susan Candell, challenges the state law, SB 9, on the issue of fair housing.I have been a resident of Lafayette since 1969 and have always regretted that our community has lacked both diversity and equity in housing. SB 9 certainly has its failures, but it is a beginning. I would encourage multifamily units throughout our community, and, yes, right in my neighborhood, as one answer to this local and national crisis. I am grateful to the state for trying to address the housing issue.I believe we would all still be drinking out of separate water fountains had it not been for the government stepping in to change the laws. We have a wonderful opportunity to make our society more fair. Let’s improve on SB 9.Lynn MacMichaelLafayetteSB 94 is...

Four-bedroom home sells in Milpitas for $1.7 million

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:45 GMT

1635 Serpa Drive – Google Street ViewA 1,976-square-foot house built in 1978 has changed hands. The property located in the 1600 block of Serpa Drive in Milpitas was sold on Aug. 16, 2023. The $1,725,000 purchase price works out to $873 per square foot. This two-story house presents a roomy floor plan, featuring four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The home’s outer structure has wood shake roofing / shingles. Inside, there is a fireplace. In addition, the house features a two-car garage.Additional houses that have recently been sold close by include:A 1,186-square-foot home on the 1700 block of View Drive in Milpitas sold in September 2022, for $1,035,000, a price per square foot of $873. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Ellis Avenue, Milpitas, in January 2023, a 1,584-square-foot home was sold for $1,391,000, a price per square foot of $878. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In February 2023, a 1,210-square-foot home on Ellis Avenue in Milpitas sold for $522,000, a pr...

Supervisors embrace reforms for Alameda County criminal justice — but they won’t be easy

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:45 GMT

An Alameda County report two years in the making has outlined a series of recommendations that would lead to a comprehensive overhaul of the county’s criminal justice system — if it makes it that far.The 248-page report, titled “Reimagine Adult Justice,” would do just that. The recommendations, presented at a committee meeting on Thursday, aim to reduce recidivism, shrink the incarcerated population at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, prevent victimization of Black and Brown residents, and much more.If instituted, the county would make enormous strides toward building some of the most progressive criminal justice programs in the region. A jail population review team would identify people for early release, alternatives for people with behavioral health concerns would be increased and a long-term strategy would address racial and ethnic disparities. There would also be a comprehensive oversight system, expanded pretrial release, and community-based rehabilitation programs.Already...