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Gascón announces exoneration of 2 men wrongly convicted of murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:23 GMT

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón held a press conference earlier this month alongside two men who were recently exonerated after spending decades behind bars for murders they did not commit.During the news conference on Dec. 13, Gascón apologized to Giovanni Hernandez and Miguel Solorio for their wrongful convictions, while taking time to thank members of the D.A.'s Office unit that works on cases like these.The exonerations were the third and fourth by the D.A.'s Office this year. Hernandez was only 14 years old when he was arrested and charged for a 2006 drive-by shooting that took place in Culver City that resulted in the death of 16-year-old Gary Ortiz.His first trial began in December 2010 and ended in a hung jury, in which a jury is unable to agree on a verdict. A second trial began two years later, leading to his conviction of all charges.Throughout the entire legal proceedings and his decadelong prison sentence, Hernandez and his family maintained his innoc...

Sergio Banks-Jacobo Involved in Fatal Pedestrian Crash on Highway 58 [California City, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:23 GMT

61-Year-Old Man Killed in Pedestrian Collision near Tehachapi BoulevardCALIFORNIA CITY, CA (December 28, 2023) – Sergio Banks-Jacobo was involved in a deadly pedestrian crash Sunday morning on westbound Highway 58.At approximately 1:13 a.m., law enforcement responded on the westbound lanes of the freeway near Tehachapi Boulevard. According to officers, a man standing in the roadway was struck by the driver of a tractor-trailer, who was unable to avoid the collision.Upon the arrival of medical personnel, the 61-year-old male pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the deceased victim has not been disclosed by authorities at this time. The driver, identified as 23-year-old Banks-Jacobo from Fresno, remained at the scene and fully cooperated with the ongoing investigation.For those who may have additional information regarding the Highway 58 pedestrian crash, Officer Hubbard of the Mojave CHP Office can be contacted at (661) 823-5500. Further details will be ...

Letters: Gentleman’s efforts | Roadway guidance | Tackling Trump

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:23 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Richards’ efforts werethose of a gentlemanRe: “Remembering Mr. Roadshow” (Page A9, Dec. 24).I recently came to find out that Gary Richards, the columnist of Mr. Roadshow, passed away. My heartfelt condolences to his family.Gary Richards was a good gentleman who took efforts to answer almost every message or letter he received. This dates to mid-2002 when I was residing in Cupertino and would travel on Lawrence Expressway every day to my work. I had noticed the 280 North and South entry signs on Lawrence Expressway were incorrect and had written a short note to Gary Richards. He was such a gracious person — he responded to it in the newspaper and got the sign boards corrected.Gary Richards responded positively. That’s what I appreciate.He was liked and loved by all. It is sad to see him go. May his soul be at peace.Prakash VenkatakrishnaBangalore, IndiaGratitude for Richards’...

At least 10 dead, dozens hurt in fog-related pileup in Turkey

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:23 GMT

Associated PressANKARA, Turkey — A chain-reaction crash Thursday involving seven vehicles on a motorway in northwest Turkey killed at least 10 people and injured 57 others, officials said.The pileup occurred in dense fog and low visibility on the Northern Marmara Highway in Sakarya province, some 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Istanbul.An investigation has been launched into the accident but Gov. Yasar Karadeniz of Sakarya said it likely occurred when a vehicle hit a truck in poor visibility, triggering other crashes at the rear.At least three intercity buses were involved in the crash.Authorities believe some passengers died when they left their vehicles and were struck by another vehicle, Karadeniz told reporters at the scene.Seven of the injured were in serious condition, the governor said.Police and emergency personnel were seen clearing the wreckage at the scene.

Hundreds more died in Ukraine dam flood than Russia reported

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:23 GMT

By Samya Kullab and Illia Novikov | Associated PressMYKOLAIV, Ukraine — They recognized the TV repairman.The residents of Oleshky in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine could not identify many of those they buried after a catastrophic dam collapse in June sent water coursing through their homes and shattered their lives. The bodies were too bloated and discolored, volunteer rescuers and health workers said. They described seeing faces that resembled rubber masks, frozen in that last frenzied gasp for air. But to those secretly keeping count of the drowned, Yurii Bilyi was no stranger.The cheerful 56-year-old was a town fixture. He had serviced many homes and spent his days working from a shop just across the street from the churchyard where he was buried, in a hurriedly dug mass grave, The Associated Press has learned.Anastasiia Bila, his daughter, remembers his last words clearly over the unstable phone connection. “Nastya,” he affectionately called her, hoping to soothe ...

High surf updates: Marin County, Santa Cruz evacuations lifted

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:23 GMT

(KRON) -- A high surf warning is in effect today and will last through 3 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS is warning of "very dangerous waves" up to 28 to 33 feet, with 40-foot waves possible in some locations."The ocean is NOT your friend today!" said the NWS on X, formerly Twitter. Areas of Santa Cruz County coastline experiencing flooding, evacuation warning The weather service is advising people to stay away from rocks, jetties, piers and other waterside infrastructure. A very high swell coming from west-northwest will create hazardous beach conditions, the NWS said.West facing beaches could see breaking waves of 28 to 33 feet.The NWS advises:Stay off rocks and jettiesStay out of and away from the waterNever turn your back on the ocean!Keep pets on a leash and away from the waterFollow our live blog for the latest updates:4:00 p.m. -- High surf warning remains in effect, Bay Area flood advisory expiresA high surf warning for the Northern and Cen...

45-year-old man fatally stabbed South of Market, SFPD investigating as homicide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:23 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The San Francisco Police Department is investigating an incident in which a 45-year-old man was fatally stabbed Thursday morning as a homicide. SFPD officers with the Southern District responded at 5:37 a.m. to the area of Mission and Washburn streets on a report of a stabbing, police said. Good Samaritans shot at Pinole gas station, gunman found under I-80, police say At the scene, officers located two victims: a 45-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman. Both were suffering from apparent stab wounds.SFPD rendered aid and called for paramedics. Medics transported both victims to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The male victim was declared deceased at the hospital.No arrests have been made at this time, police said.

Fourteen arrested at Travis Air Force Base during Gaza war protest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:23 GMT

(KRON) -- Fourteen protestors were arrested at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield after a large crowd blocked the base's entrances Thursday morning. Police said about 150 protestors arrived at the military base's gates. Videos posted on social media showed crowds waiving Palestinian flags and holding up banners reading, "No U.S. weapons for genocide." The activist group CODEPINK Women For Peace wrote, "Today we joined several other groups in the SF Bay Area in shutting down the largest transport Air Force base in the country. We will not let arms get shipped out of our backyards to support the genocide in Gaza."Members of the Solano County Sheriff's Office, Suisun Police Department, and Vacaville Police Department were called in as backup."Members of the Police Department and representatives from Travis Air Force Base met with protest organizers to facilitate the exercise of their constitutional rights, while also ensuring the men and women serving our nation could get onto the base...

I Calculated How Much of My Money the U.S. Sent to Kill Palestinians. You Can Too.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:23 GMT

Parents with their children holding a sign reading “Our tax dollars are killing kids like me” during a protest in Arlington, Va., on Dec. 9, 2023.Photo: Probal Rashid/LightRocket via Getty ImagesAs 2023 ends, I’ve been asking myself: How much money am I, personally, contributing to Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories and its attack on Gaza?The Israeli assault on Gaza launched after the October 7 attacks by Hamas has so far killed more than 20,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including thousands of children and over 100 journalists. Nearly 90 percent of the territory’s residents have been displaced, and it has been called “one of this century’s most destructive wars.”So how much have I chipped in to create this hell on earth?The best answer I’ve come up with is $150.There are two ways of looking at this number.One is that this is a relatively small amount of money. Another is that the U.S. is so astonishingly rich and powerful that we as a country can mete out overwhelming b...

Reds sign reliever Buck Farmer to $2.25 million, 1-year contract

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:23 GMT

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds brought back Buck Farmer on Thursday, signing the reliever to a $2.25 million, one-year contract.Farmer became a free agent after he went 4-5 with three saves and a 4.20 ERA in 71 appearances for Cincinnati this year. The right-hander had a 2-2 record with two saves and a 3.83 ERA in 44 games in 2022, his first season with the Reds.He can earn $350,000 in performance bonuses for games pitched: $50,000 each for 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65. He had a $1.75 million, one-year contract for this season.Cincinnati also designated outfielder Bubba Thompson for assignment. The 25-year-old Thompson is a .242 hitter with a homer and 13 RBIs in 92 big league games — all with Texas.Farmer, a Georgia native who turns 33 in February, was selected by Detroit in the fifth round of the 2013 amateur draft. He made his major league debut with the Tigers in 2014.He is 21-28 with a 4.98 ERA in 356 career games, including 21 starts.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/M...