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Environmental groups sue EPA over lack of oversight of Colorado’s efforts to reduce smog

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:10 GMT

Two environmental groups sued the Environmental Protection Agency over what they say is a failure to make sure Colorado is cleaning up its polluted air.The Center for Biological Diversity and 350 Colorado petitioned the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to hear their complaint, bypassing the lower courts. The two groups say the EPA approved a state plan to reduce ozone pollution even though that plan will not meet federally mandated goals for clean air.“The EPA’s approval of this pollution-reduction plan, which we already know has failed, could have been straight out of George Orwell’s dystopian novel ‘1984,’” Robert Ukeiley, an environmental health attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, wrote in an email.Colorado has failed for 15 years to meet national air quality standards, and last year the EPA classified the northern Front Range as a severe violator of ozone standards.Areas that violate ozone standards are required to submit plans to the federal governmen...

Plane crashes into hangar at Long Beach Airport

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:10 GMT

A pilot avoided serious injury after crashing their single-engine plane into the roof of a building at the Long Beach Airport Monday afternoon.The crash happened around 2:20 p.m. on the 2900 block of East Spring Street.First responders arrived on scene and found the Cessna 172 nose down through the roof of a hangar. A single-engine plane crashed nose-first into a hangar at the Long Beach Airport on July 10, 2023. (KTLA)The pilot was the only occupant, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot was apparently practicing takeoffs and landings when the plane crashed. The unidentified pilot appeared to have suffered only minor injuries, Long Beach Fire Department officials said. 68 people killed in crashes on California highways over Fourth of July weekend Kate Kuykendall, a spokesperson for the Long Beach Airport, said the crash had no impact on any commercial flights and the emergency response was being handled by the Long Beach Fire Department. The FAA and the Nati...

Rent prices in this California city just surpassed San Francisco

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:10 GMT

Rent prices may be cooling off nationally, but they continue to rise in California’s largest cities - many of which rank among the priciest in the U.S.According to Zillow’s rent report for June 2023, six California cities rank in the top ten when it comes to the most expensive rentals. This includes apartments, condominiums, townhomes and detached single-family homes.If you think Los Angeles and San Francisco are the priciest in the Golden State, think again. Renters in San Jose are paying an average of $3,411 per month, making it the most expensive rental market in the nation, according to Zillow. It is so competitive that landlords see an average of 11 potential renters for every Silicon Valley apartment that becomes available, the San Jose Mercury News reports.Also, for the first time ever, rent in San Diego has surpassed San Francisco.Renters in America’s Finest City are now paying an average of $3,175 per month, slightly ahead of those who live in the City by the Bay ($3,168/mo...

Woman serving life sentence for murder sentenced for running $1.5M COVID scam while behind bars

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:10 GMT

A woman serving a life sentence for killing her mother in the early 2000s has been sentenced to seven additional years in prison after she admitted to running a fraud ring that stole more than $1.5 million from California's unemployment insurance programs.Natalie DeMola, 38, was serving her sentence at the California Institution for Women in Corona for killing her mother in 2001. DeMola, who was 16 at the time, conspired with her then-boyfriend and a third person to kill her mother. She's been serving a life sentence in state prison since her conviction for first-degree murder in 2005. That prison is where she apparently began her operation, working with some fellow inmates to defraud California UI benefits, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.DeMola and her fellow inmates used other people's identities to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims during the pandemic, netting herself and her co-conspirators more than $1.5 million. The theft victims were not e...

L.A. man sentenced for using illegally obtained COVID-19 loans to fund gambling trips, expensive purchases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:10 GMT

A man from West Los Angeles has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining millions in COVID-19 business loans, which he used on extravagant purchases and gambling trips to Las Vegas.Andrew Marnell, 43, was sentenced to prison Monday after pleading guilty in September 2021 to one count of bank fraud and one count of money laundering.Marnell applied for loans through two federal programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program, which was created by congress to help businesses that were struggling financially due to the coronavirus pandemic."Marnell’s bogus loan applications contained numerous false and misleading statements about his shell companies’ business operations and payroll expenses," a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice reads. "Marnell, often using aliases, submitted fake and altered documents to obtain the small business loans, including bogus federal tax filings and employee payroll records."He used those ill-gotten ...

Shane Lee Gibson Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Bellflower Boulevard [Long Beach, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:10 GMT

49-Year-Old Motorcyclist Dies after a Collision with Wrong-Way Driver near Anaheim RoadLONG BEACH, CA (July 10, 2023) – Thursday afternoon, a wrong-way motorcycle vs. vehicle collision on Bellflower Boulevard killed Shane Lee Gibson.The incident happened on June 22nd, at about 3:30 p.m., at Bellflower Boulevard, just south of Anaheim Road.According to reports, 2015 Honda Civic driven by a 60-year-old Cypress woman and a 2019 Honda CBR600 motorcycle driven by 49-year-old Gibson collidedUpon investigation, the officers have discovered that the Civic was headed north on Bellflower, when she veered to the southbound lanes for unknown reasons. While in the southbound lanes, the Civic collided with Gibson. The impact of the collision caused Gibson to be ejected from the motorcycle.First responders to the site of the collision attempted life-saving measures on the rider, but they were unsuccessful. Officials pronounced Shane Lee Gibson dead at the scene.Meanwhile, the woman suffered ...

Child Hospitalized Following Car Accident on Donovan Road [Santa Maria, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:10 GMT

Vehicle Crash on Donovan Road near Pepperwood Place Left 1 Juvenile with InjuriesSANTA MARIA, CA (July 10, 2023) – Tuesday morning, a car accident on Donovan Road sent one juvenile to the hospital with injuries.The incident happened at around 5:30 a.m., July 4th, near Pepperwood Place.California Highway Patrol responded at the intersection and discovered a vehicle with significant damage, occupied by a juvenile passenger with injuries. The cause of the collision remains unknown.Paramedics then transported the juvenile to a nearby hospital for treatment. At this time, the name and current condition of the victim are withheld until their next of kin is notified.Moreover, a large portion of the roadway was temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties but has since been reopened.Santa Maria Police continue to investigate the accident on Donovan Road and will release additional info once available.One small driving mistake can lead to a car accident. This is wh...

Trailblazing Ms. World 2023: Empowering Women Across the Globe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:10 GMT

In the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, a pioneering beauty pageant is set to take center stage in December at the iconic Caesars Palace Hotel. The international pageant, Ms. World 2023, led by former Miss New York and renowned model, Melisa Gun, is challenging conventional beauty norms by celebrating successful women of varying ages and backgrounds.A Celebration of Success at Every AgeWith unique age categories such as Miss (18-25), Millennial (26-35), Mrs (successful married women), Premier (36-45), and Classic (46-50), the pageant embraces the beauty and achievement of women at all stages of life. It is not just a contest; it’s a platform to showcase the extraordinary achievements and diversity of women across the globe.Ms. World 2023 is not solely about physical beauty; it places a strong emphasis on a woman’s accomplishments, capabilities, and societal contributions. The competition seeks to honor women who have proven their worth in their respective fields and are m...

Bridging the Gap: How Andre Zakhya Blends Architecture and Animation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:10 GMT

In the expansive realm of entertainment, a cohort of individuals wields an extraordinary talent for breathing life into creativity. The artistic mastery of some artists can be channeled into the creation of architectural wonders, while the creative ability of others can be applied to the creation of heartfelt animations. Amongst these gifted creators is Andre Zakhya, a masterful 3D artist and animator who seamlessly combines these disciplines to create visually stunning and captivating experiences. With his strong foundation in architecture and unwavering passion for storytelling, Andre emerges as a trailblazer, bringing a new perspective to the industry. Collaborating with renowned entities such as HBO, Blackpink, Nicki Minaj, Lil Nas X, Riot Games, and Apple TV, Andre has showcased his extraordinary talents and expanded the boundaries of artistic expression. By working alongside these esteemed collaborators, he has further cemented his status as an influential figure in the realm ...

Gordeon Expands Digital Payment Solutions Across Europe, Revolutionizing the Continent’s Financial Landscape

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:10 GMT

Gordeon, a driving force in digital financial solutions, is excited to announce its pivotal expansion to 15 new markets across Europe, including Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and the UK. With this strategic move, Gordeon further cements its position as a champion for businesses seeking secure, efficient, and customizable transaction platforms.From online marketplaces bustling with diverse user needs to global retail chains striving to simplify theirdigital payment process, Gordeon’s platform ensures businesses have control over their digital financiallandscape.Gordeon’s EMEA Business Lead expresses: “Europe’s online payment journey has seen its share of roadblocks and complexities. With our groundbreaking technology, Gordeon aims to turn these challenges into opportunities. We streamline the convoluted, and what used to take weeks of setup is now reduced to jus...