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Dry conditions increase fire risk this season as leaves fall

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:09:14 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Leaf clean-up and removal is a common chore right now as trees are quickly dropping their leaves, but the dry conditions could cause problems.There are a few options when it comes to getting rid of all the leaves in our yards but with the dry conditions we’ve been facing this fall, we have high fire danger so some options are much better than others.Burning yard waste in those municipalities that allow it could result in a call to the fire department.“Because the chance of it getting out of control and going to burn up some other structure you don’t want burned or getting potentially going toward a house or a structure. We don’t recommend you burning at this time right now,” said William Stamberger, Deputy Chief and Public Information Officer, Eureka Fire Protection District.Eureka resident Jan Reis has the right idea. She says she’s been cleaning up leaves for a month.“Actually we have compost in the back. So we blow, then we mow them, we mulch them. We put them in the...

Commerce City man found dead in the middle of Brighton Boulevard

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:09:14 GMT

A 68-year-old Commerce City man was found dead in the middle of the road in the 7500 block of Brighton Boulevard on Sunday night, according to the Commerce City Police Department.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Commerce City man who shot robbery suspect from his balcony sentenced to 28 years Few details are available about the incident, but police suspect the man may have been the victim of a hit-and-run, according to a post from the department on X.Update on last night’s death investigation in the 7500 block of Brighton Blvd: 68-year-old man found lying in the roadway is the victim of a suspected hit and run. We were called around 9:40pm. Info? Please call: 303-289-3626. pic.twitter.com/a7QYjCzzBx— Commerce City Police Department (@CommerceCityPD) November 13, 2023Police were called to the scene around 9:40 p.m. when a passerby called 911 after seeing someone lying in the road, according to a Facebook post by the department.The man’s identity h...

'Bad actors' used state program to store pallets, hand sanitizer under 10 Fwy before arsonist struck, Newsom says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:09:14 GMT

This weekend, a large fire damaged the 10 Freeway in Los Angeles, shutting down a primary transportation route for hundreds of thousands of people.State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant said investigators "have been able to confidently determine" that the blaze was caused by arson, though the person or persons involved have not been identified.The investigation is ongoing into "what we believe to be malicious and willful intent of starting a fire," Berlant said.But how did those flammable materials end up under the freeway? It's part of a government program that leases that space to private citizens and companies.Caltrans' Airspace and Telecommunications Licensing Program — often called simply Airspace — "is responsible for leasing and managing those properties or sites held for a transportation purpose that can safely accommodate a secondary use," the agency said on its website."More simply put, Airspace leases specific areas within state highway right of way," Caltrans added.Federal au...

10 Freeway fire may have been intentionally set: report

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:09:14 GMT

A massive fire beneath one of the most vital traffic arteries in downtown Los Angeles may have been intentionally set, according to the Los Angeles Times.Citing law enforcement sources who were unable to discuss the investigation on the record, the Times reports that the investigation into the blaze that has crippled the downtown commute for hundreds of thousands of Angelenos is centered around a possible act of arson."Though investigators have not determined cause of the fire, the blaze is of sufficiently suspicious origins to be an arson investigation," the Times reports.The fire was first reported early Saturday around 12:30 a.m. near East 14th and Alameda streets underneath the freeway. It engulfed both sides of 14th Street underneath the 10, eventually melting some of the freeway’s steel guardrails and damaging firetrucks.The blaze ripped through a pallet yard, causing dense plumes of smoke and limiting visibility throughout the area.In addition to the reports of a possibl...

Immerse Yourself in Serene Luxury on a Mega Yacht Charter Experience

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:09:14 GMT

“The sea has always been a siren call to those who crave adventure, freedom, and luxury. In 2023, that call has never been more alluring,” says Your Boat Holiday (YBH) CEO, Giulia Di Leo. As personal space has become increasingly valuable and the quest for extraordinary experiences intensifies, the luxury yacht charter industry has experienced a remarkable surge, akin to a rising tide.A report by Transparency Market Research states that this global industry was valued at an impressive $12.6 billion in 2022. Even more enticing is its projected growth, with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% between the present year and 2031. Should this projection hold true, the industry is anticipated to surpass $19 billion by the end of 2031.“Our bookings have increased by 40% since last year,” reveals Di Leo. In an industry where luxury and novelty are as intrinsic as the woodwork on a vintage schooner, YBH’s success has been in crafting unforgettable, ...

The Gypsy Queens: ‘Buona Sera Signorina’ Reveals the Best-Kept Secret

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:09:14 GMT

There is a melodic secret, a covert romance with richness unseen in a world where neon lights and computerized soundscapes rule supreme — meet The Gypsy Queens. Imagine a band that is so well-known that you haven’t heard of them yet, yet they are virtually the most well-known group. It’s similar to learning that your preferred hidden gem café serves as a front for a covert musical organization.Readers need not worry, however, as The Gypsy Queens are prepared to reveal their musical identity and are incorporating Tony Danza’s magic into it. Yes, you read correctly: Tony Danza. Just the mention of his name makes you want to put on a tuxedo and tap dance in a confetti-filled downpour.“Buona Sera Signorina,” their most recent hit, is more than simply a song; it’s an invitation to a velvet-draped salon where you’re snacking on elegance and drinking refinement. This song is similar to the key that unlocks a hidden door, leading to their much await...

The Dirty South Soundtrack Closes Out 2023 With A Feel-Good Story

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:09:14 GMT

The Dirty South, released in select theaters and digitally on November 10th, is a feature film complete with a crime/action narrative. Directed by Matthew Yerby and produced by VP Independent’s Andrew Vogel & Suzann Toni Petrongolo, the film stands as a testament to the power of determination and vision in bringing a unique story to life. But what truly sets this project apart is its independent production and remarkable soundtrack, a musical journey that captures the essence of Southern culture.Behind this creative endeavor is Tyler Forrest, an artist, composer, and songwriter, who contributed to writing and composing much of the film’s soundtrack. Tyler’s journey in the world of music has been guided by a profound passion. He believes in going wherever the music takes him, a philosophy that led him to the creation of the soundtrack for The Dirty South. Alongside Tyler, Blake Phillips lead the charge as the soundtrack’s Executive Producer. Blake’s connections from L...

Letters: Shelter help | Social workers | ‘Bulb Guy’ | ‘Killing device’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:09:14 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Animal shelter mustseek more helpRe: “At beleaguered shelter, care for pets criticized” (Page B1, Nov. 9).I was deeply disturbed to learn about the conditions at the San Jose Animal Care Center.From the unnecessary amputations, like the dog Sparrow had to suffer, to rapidly declining live release rates, such as the rate for cats dropping from 90% in 2020 to 75% in 2023, there is ample evidence that practices in this establishment must change.To mitigate these harmful outcomes, the shelter could focus on foster programs to open up space in the shelter or collaborate with rescue organizations for additional resources.Erin GribiSan JoseRespect social workers’recommendationsRe: “Who failed baby Phoenix?” (Page A1, Nov. 12).As a retired social work educator, and past member of the Santa Clara County Child Abuse Prevention Council, I have followed the tragic saga of baby Phoenix w...

Has the GOP already run out of time to stop Trump?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:09:14 GMT

By Steve Peoples, Meg Kinnard and Thomas Beaumont | Associated PressCOLUMBIA, S.C. — The Republican Party’s once-crowded 2024 presidential primary field has suddenly shrunk to just a handful of viable candidates.But a day after Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina stunned many of his own staff by suspending his campaign, it’s unclear whether the GOP is any closer to coalescing behind a clear alternative to former President Donald Trump. Instead, the fight between Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis for a distant second place appears to be intensifying. And some lower-tier candidates insist on battling for relevance, despite growing pressure to bow out of the race altogether.Meanwhile, Trump’s team is cheering on the muddle for second place with Iowa’s Jan. 15 kickoff caucuses just two months away.Still, there were new positive signs on Monday for Haley, Scott’s South Carolina rival, who had been rising in the Republican contest even before the senator’s sudd...

Oakland’s new fire chief promises better mental health services for firefighters

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:09:14 GMT

OAKLAND — Living at his family’s home after college graduation and coming to accept that an NBA career was out of the question, Damon Covington was restless about how his life would proceed — until a voice in his head told him he should be a firefighter.He knew next to nothing about how to become one, and even less about the Oakland Fire Department, where he started out two decades ago. Now Covington is the city’s new full-time chief, after four months of holding the interim role.“Oakland really raised me, helped me cut my teeth, realize what it means to give back to my city,” Covington said Monday at his swearing-in ceremony, on a sunny morning near the city’s ferry terminal.His hiring will fill one of the biggest gaps in institutional leadership in Oakland, where the police department has been without a full-time chief for nine months. Covington’s salary hasn’t been announced, but his immediate predecessor, Reginald Freeman, ma...