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National parks, and those who count on them, brace for possible shutdown

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:27 GMT

PHOENIX — It’s wedding season at Acadia National Park in Maine, and Tabitha Brown can barely keep up with the demand for her “luxury picnics” — Champagne and charcuterie served seaside.The fall rush around Acadia helps workers survive winter’s lean months. But that’s all at risk if a government shutdown forces America’s national parks and monuments to lock their gates, scuttling millions of vacations and school trips and costing tourist towns from the Everglades to Yellowstone to Death Valley an estimated $70 million a day.“I don’t know what anybody would do,” said Brown, who holds 90% of her picnics inside Acadia. “If the park shuts down, nobody wants to come. It would be tragic.”It would also be the fourth time in a decade. Business owners and workers say that recurrent shutdowns have become a new kind of disaster alongside the floods, wildfires and hurricanes that come with living at the doorstep of a natural wonder.“I’m getting to the point where it’s just part of the busi...

Former Adams County sheriff, top officials accused of falsifying state-mandated training records

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:27 GMT

Three former executive staff members of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office have been charged with forgery and conspiracy in a scheme to falsify records for state-mandated training they did not complete, state Attorney General Phil Weiser’s office announced Thursday.The attorney general’s office accused former Adams County Sheriff Richard Reigenborn, former Undersheriff Thomas McLallen and former Division Chief Michael Bethel of signing training rosters for classes they did not attend and submitting training certificates to Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training “an attempt to count these fictitious trainings towards their 2021 mandatory annual training hours,” according to a news release.Bethel also allegedly used McLallen’s online account password to complete training for McLallen on his account.A letter an Adams County sheriff’s commander sent to the state’s standards and training agency stated the three officials conducted thi...

Slaying of California deputy reignites death penalty debate

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:27 GMT

LOS ANGELES - The debate over capital punishment in California has resurfaced with the family of slain Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer incensed by District Attorney George Gascón's decision not to seek the death penalty for the alleged killer.“I don’t feel [Gascón] felt my son's life was worth anything,” Kim Clinkumbroomer, his mother, told KTLA's Rich Chambers on Wednesday. “You're telling me that this individual’s life is more important than my son’s.”“He’s just making us feel like we’re nobody, and we’re not important enough and Ryan’s life wasn’t important enough,” said Brittany Lindsey, Clinkunbroomer’s fiancée.Ryan Clinkunbroomer, Brittany LindseyProsecutors say Kevin Salazar, 29, fatally shot Clinkunbroomer with a .22 revolver on Sept. 16 as the deputy was stopped at a red light in his patrol vehicle near the Palmdale Sheriff's Station.Salazar, whose family says suffers from mental health issues, was arrested two days later after a standoff at his...

Taco Bell's Nacho Sauce goes vegan

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:27 GMT

Another popular Taco Bell item is going vegan.Beginning on Oct. 12, customers can have a side of vegan nacho cheese dip to accompany an order of nacho fries, which return to menus nationwide on Thursday for the 10th time. The sauce, which consists of a soy and chickpea base to replace the dairy components found in the traditional sauce, will also have a nationwide release.Beginning on Oct. 12, customers can have a side of vegan nacho cheese dip to accompany an order of nacho fries, which return to menus nationwide on Thursday. (Taco Bell) Taco Bell, other food chains could move to digital-only sales: CFO Nacho Fries with Vegan Nacho Sauce is Taco Bell's first vegan menu item to have a national release, a news release said.The national release of the Vegan Nacho Sauce comes after select customers were able to try it when it debuted on the Vegan Crunchwrap in June. Vegan Taco Bell fans responded positively to the sauce, according to company officials. Taco Bell offering month of ...

2 Hospitalized after Two-Car Collision on Interstate 5 [Seattle, WA]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:27 GMT

43-Year-Old and 36-Year-Old Victims Hospitalized after 2-Vehicle Collision near Seneca Street ExitSEATTLE, WA (September 28, 2023) – Early Thursday morning, two people were hospitalized following a two-car collision on Interstate 5.The incident happened just before 5:00 a.m., September 14th, in the northbound lanes of the highway, just south of the Seneca Street exit.Furthermore, the collision involved two vehicles which resulted in two injuries, a 43-year-old and a 36-year-old man. However, the events leading up still remain unclear.Paramedics rushed both injured persons to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of their injuries.Moreover, the authorities blocked the northbound lanes of the interstate but it was later reopened by 7:30 a.m. No other information was added by the investigators, and an active investigation into what led to the collision is still ongoing.Make our roads safer by abiding by all traffic laws and following the conditions of the road. Remember that wi...

Robert Ortiz Dies in Motorcycle Accident on Victorian Avenue [Sparks, NV]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:27 GMT

35-Year-Old Man Fatally Struck in Motorcycle Collision near Pyramid WaySPARKS, NV (September 28, 2023) – Tuesday morning, a motorcycle accident claimed the life of Robert Ortiz on Victorian Avenue.Around 6:38 p.m., authorities rushed to the 900 block of Victorian Avenue, near Pyramid Way, in response to the incident.According to officers, Ortiz was operating his motorcycle at high speeds and failed to navigate a turn successfully. This resulted in the motorcycle colliding with the curb, forcibly ejecting Ortiz onto the roadside.Due to the severity of his injuries, medical personnel pronounced Ortiz, aged 35, deceased at the accident site.After clearing operations, officers initiated efforts to locate two vehicles present in the vicinity: a blue Dodge four-door truck from the 2000s and a white single-cab Chevrolet pickup-truck from the 2000s.Those with additional information regarding this incident are strongly urged to reach out to local authorities.The team at Sweet James off...

Ernest Palacio Junior Killed in Pedestrian Crash on South Loop 289 [Lubbock, TX]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:27 GMT

Michael Ray Involved in Fatal Pedestrian Accident Avenue WLUBBOCK, TX (September 28, 2023) – Sunday night, a pedestrian crash in the 1900 block of South Loop 289 killed Ernest Palacio Junior.The incident happened on September 10th, at around 9:00 p.m. near the intersection of South Loop 289 and Avenue W.According to reports, Palacio Junior was trying to cross an access road when an SUV driven by 49-year-old Michael Ray struck him. The impact of the collision left Palacio Junior with serious injuries.Emergency crews at the site of the collision pronounced 58-year-old Ernest Palacio Junior dead at the scene.Meanwhile, Ray stayed at the site of the accident and cooperated with authorities. No arrests have been made as a result of the accident.Following the crash, crews shut down the areas surrounding the collision to perform cleanup and preliminary duties. At this time, an active investigation is currently underway.Sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ernest Palacio Ju...

One Died in Two-Vehicle Crash on Claremont Avenue [Albuquerque, NM]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:27 GMT

One Pronounced Dead after 2-Car Accident near Phoenix AvenueALBUQUERQUE, NM (September 28, 2023) – Tuesday night, one person died and another was hospitalized after a two-vehicle crash on Claremont Avenue.Albuquerque Police responded to the scene sometime during the night, north of Phoenix Avenue after receiving multiple dispatch calls in the area.Officers said two unidentified vehicles collided in the area for reasons currently unknown.Medics arrived and pronounced one individual dead at the scene due to the extent of their injuries. Additionally, the other driver was hospitalized for treatment of various injuries. Authorities have not yet released either identity.No further information regarding the multi-vehicle crash is public at this time; however, more information will be provided once made available.Sweet James sends out their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of the deceased. May you find strength and comfort in the difficult days ahead.Losing a l...

Edward Phillips Killed in Rear-End Crash on U.S. 395 [Reno, NV]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:27 GMT

Rear-End Collision on U.S. 395 Leaves 77-Year-Old Man DeadRENO, NV (September 28, 2023) – Tuesday morning, a multiple-injury crash on U.S. 395 claimed the life of Edward Phillips.The incident happened on September 19th, at around 8:15 a.m., on U.S. 395 near Red Rock Road.According to reports, a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse rear-ended a 2010 Lexus RX350 before overturning and colliding with a truck.Emergency crews at the site of the collision transported the Lexus driver and three children from the Chevrolet to a local hospital for treatment.Later at the hospital, medics pronounced 77-year-old Edward Phillips, of Reno, dead, due to the extent of his condition. Meanwhile, it was reported that the three children were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.Following the crash, crews shut down the areas of the road surrounding the collision for cleanup and preliminary duties.Sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Edward Phillips. Thoughts are with them during this very diffi...

Warriors close to deal to host 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:27 GMT

Another major sporting event appears it will be making its way to the Bay Area. The Warriors are in position to host their first NBA All-Star Game in 25 years. League sources said a deal to have the Golden State host the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco is close to being completed, news that was first reported Thursday by The Athletic’s Shams Charania.Details still need to be formalized before the league announces the event. The Bay Area has not hosted the All-Star Game since 2000 when the midseason showcase took place at Oakland Arena, which was later known as Oracle Arena. This season’s All-Star festivities will take place in Indianapolis on Feb. 17 and 18. The Warriors threw their hat in the ring to host next season’s All-Star festivities this summer when they submitted a bid along with Phoenix, Los Angeles and Milwaukee. After months of discussion, the Warriors have come out as frontrunners to welcome the NBA’s midseason showcase.If granted, 202...