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L.A. County leaders announce task force targeting rising retail thefts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:46 GMT

Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors across Los Angeles County are establishing a task force aimed at stopping the rising number of “flash mob” style thefts targeting retailers.The task force, announced at a news conference Thursday, involves the L.A. Police Department, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, police in Glendale, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Santa Monica, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Marshals Service, city and county prosecutors, and the state Attorney General’s office.“These are not victimless crimes,” said L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. “No Angeleno should feel like it is not safe to go shopping in Los Angeles. No entrepreneur should feel like it's not safe to open a business in Los Angeles.”Videos of the crimes have outraged the community.In at least four cases over the past two weeks, mobs ranging in size from around ten people to several dozen have raided stores in Glendale, Canoga Park, Los Angeles and, just Wednesday, a ...

Jack in the Box to offer free tacos to customers, similar to Taco Bell promotion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:46 GMT

Jack in the Box is offering a new deal for its most loyal fans and taco lovers on the heels of Taco Bell’s free tacos promotion.The fast-food restaurant will give Jack Pack rewards members two free tacos with any purchase every Tuesday, beginning on Aug. 22, a news release said.Taco Bell is also offering a similar promotion, slated to end in September, to celebrate the freeing of the "Taco Tuesday" trademark after filing a petition in May. Taco John, the company that held the trademark since 1989, decided to relinquish its claim in July.To celebrate the move, Taco Bell announced it would give out free tacos on select Tuesdays in August and September. McDonald’s announces new meal offering, merchandise and re-branded sauce Unlike Taco Bell, however, Jack in the Box announced that its promotion doesn’t have an end date and is valid until customers “run out of hot sauce.”“We're picking up where Taco Bell is leaving taco lovers off because Jack in the Box is here for you Tuesday and T...

SNAP benefit changes coming next month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:46 GMT

Several changes are coming to SNAP benefits beginning next month, the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service confirmed. SNAP, which stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, used to be called the Food Stamp Program. Over the next year, small changes to eligibility will take effect as a result of the debt ceiling bill, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, signed by President Joe Biden in June.The changes only affect one group of SNAP recipients: able-bodied adults without dependents (or ABAWDs, as the agency calls them), ages 50 to 54. ABAWDs between the ages of 18 and 49 already need to prove they are working at least 80 hours a month, pursuing an education or in a training program to qualify for SNAP for more than three months. Majority of voters want SNAP increased, not cut: poll Now, starting on Sept. 1, able-bodied childless workers who are 50 years old will also need to meet those work requirements to receive SNAP benefits. Starting on Oct. 1, the age requirements will...

Newsom triples CHP enforcement in Los Angeles to combat retail thefts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:46 GMT

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday the state would be tripling California Highway Patrol resources in the Los Angeles area to help combat organized retail theft.The CHP has been tasked by the state to battle retail crime, and the Governor's Office said their efforts have been successful.But following major large-scale burglaries across the Los Angeles region in recent weeks, the Governor says additional help is needed.The announcement by Newsom follows a similar announcement made hours earlier by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other local leaders, establishing a new organized retail theft task force to crack down on "flash mob"-style burglaries.That regional task force will be similar in nature to the CHP's Organized Retail Crime Task Force, and will include statewide partners, including Highway Patrol. CHP will be expanding its resources and allocating more investigators specifically in L.A. Elderly woman violently dragged by purse snatcher in Hacienda Heights “The...

One Killed in Fiery Collision on East Lerdo Highway [Shafter, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:46 GMT

Two-Vehicle Crash near Driver Road Left One FatalitySHAFTER, CA (August 17, 2023) – Monday afternoon, one person was declared dead following a fiery collision on East Lerdo Highway.Units from the Kern County Fire Department responded to the crash around 4:34 p.m. on East Lerdo Highway and Driver Road.Upon arrival, firefighters extinguished the flames from both vehicles fast enough to search inside the two cars. Tragically, the first responders also declared one person dead at the scene.The Kern County Coroner’s Office will identify the deceased victim once the next of kin has been notified. Police reported no other injuries from the collision.In the end, Shafter Officials shut down the East Loredo Highway between Cherry Avenue and Vultee Road as crews clear the scene.Those with additional information about the fiery two-vehicle crash are encouraged to contact the local authorities promptly. Shafter Officials will post more information once made available to the public.No words...

Thousands evacuate as wildfire approaches capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:46 GMT

YELLOWKNIFE, Northwest Territories — Residents of the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories began fleeing an approaching wildfire Thursday in long convoys while air evacuations were underway for those who could not leave by road, the latest chapter in Canada’s worst fire season on record.The fire was within 16 kilometers (10 miles) of the northern edge of Yellowknife, and people in the four areas of the city of 20,000 at highest risk were told to leave as soon as possible, Fire Information Officer Mike Westwick said.Residents in other areas should be out by noon Friday, because strong north winds could push the fire toward the highway needed for evacuation, Westwick said. Although some rain was forecast for the region, first responders were taking no chances.“I want to be clear that the city is not in immediate danger and there’s a safe window for residents to leave the city by road and by air,” Shane Thompson, a government minister for the Territories, told a news conference. “...

Woman wielded knife at Oakley middle school; police officer drew gun to stop her

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:46 GMT

OAKLEY — An Oakley police officer drew his gun but did not fire the weapon while working to arrest a woman who wielded a knife at a middle school campus earlier this week, police said.Police arrested the 61-year-old Antioch resident on suspicion of bringing a weapon onto school grounds, assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats, according to a statement from Oakley police Chief Paul Beard.The encounter happened Tuesday at Delta Vista Middle School in the 4900 block of Frank Hengel Way.Several other fights among juveniles broke out after the arrest, and Beard said police arrested a 15-year-old girl and 13-year-old girl. He said neither of them was armed.Beard said officers first were called to the school about 3:25 p.m., because two people who were guardians to students at the school were in a nasty argument. The officer de-escalated the argument and remained in the area, he said.The same people then argued again even more intensely about 15 minutes later, Beard ...

Poor House Bistro reopens in San Jose’s Little Italy — finally!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:46 GMT

I’m sure I’m not the only one who thought I’d be enjoying jambalaya, hurricanes, sausage bread and beignets at Poor House Bistro again a lot sooner. But the wait is over, and 19 months after the New Orleans-style eatery was lifted onto a truck and hauled a half-mile to San Jose’s Little Italy district, the good times are rolling again.Officially now the Famiglia Meduri Poor House Bistro, leaning into owner Jay Meduri’s Italian roots, the restaurant welcomed dozens of customers back Wednesday to the new location on St. John Street, wedged between Henry’s Hi-Life and the new Italian Museum and Cultural Center that is close to opening.“It’s been a long road,” said Meduri, who cut the ribbon with Mayor Matt Mahan. “Good things are going to be happening in Little Italy, and we’re happy to be a part of it.”San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and Poor House Bistro owner Jay Meduri cut the ribbon on the restaurant's new loca...

At Home: When lightning strikes, will your house be ready?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:46 GMT

My next-door neighbor, Jo, was in her living room reading. Her husband was watching television nearby. My husband was home working on his computer, when suddenly: FLASH! CRACK! BOOM!“The loudest thunder I have ever heard and a big white flash struck all at once, jolting me out of my chair,” Jo said. The TV went black. At our place, the thunderstruck dogs dove under my husband’s desk and stayed there.Lightning had struck a cable line between our two houses, zapping both. Jo’s house got hit worse. The strike took down her home’s air conditioner, three Apple TV boxes, the internet, cable television, water heater and the smart system that controls the lighting and sound systems.“The lights that were on, I couldn’t turn off; the ones that were off, I couldn’t turn on,” she said.It would take weeks (including two weeks in Florida in August without air conditioning) to deal with insurance and repair which, at last tally, cost an electrifying $40,000.Meanwhile at our place, the same bolt fr...

‘We are at a tremendous loss’: As victims in fatal San Jose double stabbing are mourned, family speaks out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:46 GMT

SAN JOSE — As family members mourn the deaths of a young boy and his great-grandmother in a grisly double stabbing earlier this month at their San Jose apartment, key questions remain, the biggest being: Who committed the killings?Jordan Cam Walker, 6, shown in an undated photo, was found dead alongside his great-grandmother in a double stabbing reported at their Parkmoor Avenue apartment in San Jose on Aug. 4, 2023, authorities said. (Photo courtesy of the Walker family) On the morning of Aug. 4, Jordan Cam Walker, 6, was found dead along with 71-year-old Delphina Turner at the Parkmoor Avenue apartment where they lived. San Jose police confirmed that both were stabbed.“We are at a tremendous loss,” Morian Walker Sr., Jordan’s paternal grandfather, said in a phone interview Thursday with Bay Area News Group. “We’re relying on the power of prayer, love and support to get us through this.”Turner’s memorial service was set to take p...