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High-ranking Colorado officials pushing back against Kroger-Albertsons merger

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:48 GMT

Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young became the latest state official to publicly oppose the proposed merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, the respective parent companies of King Soopers and Safeway.He joins Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Attorney General Phil Weiser in pressing the Federal Trade Commission to halt the $25 billion deal made public in October.In a letter signed by six other state treasurers, Young argues that the merger could hurt the “financial well-being” of residents because of any resulting “reduction in wages.”The treasurers cite a May study by the Economic Policy Institute that found the deal “will lower wages for 746,000 grocery store workers in over 50 metropolitan areas of the U.S.,” with total annual earnings dropping by $334 million in those locations.“The ramifications of these wage reductions extend beyond individual workers and their ability to sustain themselves and their families,” t...

Aurora firefighters save person from basement fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:48 GMT

Aurora firefighters saved a person from a basement late Tuesday night in east Aurora.A witness reported a fire coming from their neighbor’s balcony near Yale Avenue and Laredo Street just after 10 p.m. Tuesday, Aurora fire officials said in a news release.When fire crews arrived, they found smoke coming from the front door and determined the cause of the smoke and found the victim and heavy fire in the basement.“Fire crews worked together quickly and efficiently, to coordinate efforts on both getting the patient out of the home and fighting the fire,” according to the news release.The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.The single victim was the only person found in the fire, according to the release.The fire is currently under investigation.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Lakewood storage facility that caught on fire was being used as shelter by the homeless Crime and Public Safety | One person injur...

Deputy charged with trying to help fellow deputy cover up DUI crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:48 GMT

A member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Special Enforcement Bureau has been charged with trying to cover up another deputy's DUI, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.Gregory Davis, 54, faces five counts related to the alleged DUI of Carlos Lopez last year, Gascón's office said in a news release. According to prosecutors, Lopez was driving while under the influence of alcohol when he crashed his LASD SUV in Stevenson Ranch on Aug. 26, 2022. LASD deputy who went missing after crash arrested on suspicion of DUI When Davis arrived on scene, he "pulled his fellow deputy's limp body out of the crashed SUV and placed him in the vehicle of his fellow deputy’s wife, who drove him home," the release said."Prosecutors say Davis then attempted to move the deputy’s SUV before an off-duty LAPD officer passing by called authorities. Davis initially did not identify himself as an off-duty deputy," the release added.Both Davis and Lopez are members of ...

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte turns 20, slated to return in August

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:48 GMT

With the summer season slowly fading away and fall on the horizon, many are gearing up for the return of everything pumpkin spice.Starbucks announced Wednesday that its famous pumpkin spice latte will return to coffee shops nationwide on Thursday, along with other seasonal items. Jack in the Box to offer free tacos to customers, similar to Taco Bell promotion The fan-favorite drink will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year after first being introduced at about 100 in Washington D.C. and Vancouver, Canada, in 2003.These items will join the pumpkin spice latte on this year’s limited-time fall menu.Starbucks announced Wednesday that its famous pumpkin spice latte will return to coffee shops nationwide on Thursday, along with other seasonal items. (Starbucks) Pumpkin Cream Chai LattePumpkin Cream Cold BrewIced Apple Crisp Oatmilk MacchiatoBaked Apple CroissantPumpkin Cream Cheese MuffinOwl Cake PopStarbucks lovers can also get pumpkin-spiced flavored items at their local groc...

3 women accused of running illicit massage businesses in Oxnard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:48 GMT

Three women are accused of human trafficking after allegedly running illicit massage businesses in Oxnard, officials announced Wednesday.An investigation into one of the businesses, VIP Therapy Massage in Oxnard, began in March, when detectives learned commercial sex was occurring at the location.There were allegedly elements of coercion by the business owner, Silvia Diaz, 51, and the manager, Claudia Gonzalez, 41, on at least two victims working at the location, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.Gonzalez was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, pimping and pandering, while Diaz was arrested in connection with the same violations as well as money laundering.Detectives also investigated another illicit massage business in Oxnard called Blue Moon Spa.The owner, Irma Mendoza, 58, was eventually arrested on suspicion of pimping, pandering and money laundering.Bail for each woman was set at $900,000, officials said.During the investigation, detectives seized more th...

Luxury apartments roll out amenities for pets

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:48 GMT

There was a time when high-end apartment buildings frowned on noisy, furniture-destroying dogs and cats.Now they're rolling out the red carpet for furry tenants.A past emphasis on human amenities such as fitness centers, swimming pools and rooftop grills has given way to critter-friendly perks such as pet "yappy hours," rooftop dog parks and furry fashion shows.There's a good reason: Americans adopted millions of dogs and cats during the pandemic, and landlords know that if they want to attract such folk, they need to please their animals."From the moment you start thinking about your business plan and start thinking about the design, you’re thinking about pet owners," Raul Tamez, a senior director for Greystar Real Estate Partners, the largest U.S. apartment manager, told the Wall Street Journal.One Greystar luxury high rise in San Diego features a "bark bar" in the lobby serving up treats and bowls of water.The building also maintains lists of all five-star dog walkers in the vici...

Elderly Man Hospitalized Following Hit-and-Run on Santa Rosa Street [San Luis Obispo, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:48 GMT

Pedestrian Crash near Higuera Street Left 65-Year-Old Man Seriously InjuredSAN LUIS OBISPO, CA (August 23, 2023) – Saturday night, a hit-and-run collision on Santa Rosa Street left an elderly man in critical condition.Emergency personnel responded to the incident around 11:30 p.m. at the intersection of Santa Rosa St. and Higuera Street.Upon arrival, units discovered a man suffering from significant injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. Concerned citizens in the area also blocked the roadway before the units arrived.Eventually, paramedics transported the 65-year-old male pedestrian to a hospital for treatment of serious injuries. His identity has not been revealed to the public.Moreover, a portion of the roadway was temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties.At this time, the circumstances surrounding the crash and the identity of the suspect remain unknown. The San Luis Obispo police are encouraging anyone with further information about th...

Santa Monica Celebrates Kobe Bryant Day, Lights Up Wheel With ’24’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:48 GMT

The famous Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier will illuminate in honor of Kobe Bryant this Thursday, August 24, from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.The Ferris Wheel is located in Pacific Park, a free-to-enter amusement park that often changes the wheel’s illumination.Since 2016, August 24 has been known as Kobe Bryant Day, or Mamba Day in Los Angeles, with the 8/24 date representing the two jersey numbers he wore with the Lakers. The “Mamba” represents his nickname and personal branding.Bryant’s birthday was Wednesday, August 23, as the NBA hall 0f famer would have turned 45.The city of Los Angeles continues to honor Bryant posthumously, with the star passing on January 26, 2020 in a helicopter accident. In 2022, the NBA renamed the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award to the Kobe Bryant Trophy. In the past, Los Angeles City Hall has also lit up in Laker purple in Bryant’s honor.Bryant, his daughter Gianna and nine others were on their way to the Mamba Sp...

Woman Injured in Hit-and-Run Crash on Griffith Avenue [South Los Angeles, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:48 GMT

Motorcyclist Hospitalized after Mini Bike Crash on 27th StreetSOUTH LOS ANGELES, CA (August 23, 2023) – Sunday morning, a hit-and-run crash on Griffith Avenue left a rider hospitalized.The crash happened on August 13th, at around 3:45 a.m., in the area of 27th Street and Griffith Avenue in the Los Angeles South Central neighborhood.Based on the initial investigation, the suspect’s vehicle —described to be a “box type”— hit a woman riding a mini motorized “pocket bike”. However, the driver did not pull over and continued driving westbound on Adams Boulevard.Responding Los Angeles Couty Fire paramedics rushed the female victim to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.Currently, the city of Los Angeles is offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who can give information that may lead to the suspect’s arrest.Those with further information regarding the hit-and-run are encouraged to contact Detective Juan Campos of the LAP...

Kurtenbach mailbag: What now for the 49ers and Trey Lance?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:48 GMT

It’s been a while since we’ve opened up the mailbag, but luckily it’s chock full of content this week with our big three — the Niners, Warriors, and Giants.The big four, if you consider Trey Lance his own beat these days. Can’t the Niners go one training camp without quarterback drama? If you’d like to be featured in the next mailbag, reach out at [email protected]. In the meantime, let’s get to the bottom of things: Trey Lance is now the 49ers’ third-string quarterback. What will the Niners do with him?— Too many emailers to countRelated ArticlesSan Francisco 49ers | Kurtenbach: Trey Lance or Sam Darnold for 49ers backup QB? Kyle Shanahan says ‘why not both?’ San Francisco 49ers | Kurtenbach: Kyle Harrison’s SF Giants call-up means the clock is ticking on Farhan Zaidi San Francisco 49ers | Kurtenbach: Brock Purdy picked up where he left off. That makes the 49e...