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Ex-LAPD officer was smuggling people across border, carried 'ghost gun,' CBP says

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:55:22 GMT

A former Los Angeles Police Department officer and registered sex offender was arrested for human smuggling while in possession of an unregistered firearm on Monday, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.The former officer, whom the Border Patrol did not identify, was near San Diego when he was reported for suspected human smuggling just before 10 p.m., CBP said in a news release.When a Border Patrol agent found the ex-officer, who had four people in the back of an older-model SUV, the driver proactively pulled over and presented the agent with "a badge similar in appearance and style to a Los Angeles Police Department badge," the release said.The former cop told the CBP agent that he is an LAPD lieutenant, but the four people in the back of the SUV — three women and a man — admitted to the agent that they illegally crossed into the U.S. from Mexico."Record checks revealed that the driver is a former Los Angeles Police Department officer who separated from service in 1993,...

These California cities have seen the largest population declines

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:55:22 GMT

California cities including Santa Ana, San Jose, Pasadena and Inglewood have experienced some of the largest population decreases in the U.S., according to a new study from Smart Asset.The financial technology company looked at declining populations over five years, beginning in 2017 and ending in 2022. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau was used in the report. These states have the highest car theft rates: Here’s where California ranks California cities made up around 40% of the top 25 cities where populations have decreased most, according to the report.Ten cities with the highest population decline RankCity2022 Population2017 PopulationFive-year change1Paradise, Nevada183,321235,123−22.03%2Jackson, Mississippi146,019167,250−12.69%3East Los Angeles, California112,965125,542−10.02%4Aurora, Illinois182,336202,548−9.98%5El Monte, California105,307116,110−9.30%6San Francisco, California808,437884,363−8.59%7Hialeah, Florida220,274239,682−8.10%8Detroit, Michigan620,410673,103−7.83%9San...

Mammoth Mountain ski season kicks off less than 100 days after last season ended

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:55:22 GMT

Following a record-breaking winter with over 700 inches of snowfall last season, Mammoth Mountain is once again alive with activity as California's ski season officially kicked off on Friday.Mammoth Mountain's 2022-23 winter season lasted into August thanks to an epic snowy season in the Eastern Sierra.Now, less than 100 days after the close of the last ski season, the 2023-24 season is underway thanks to an early snowfall, favorable weather conditions and the ongoing snowmaking work of Mammoth Mountain staff.A crowd of skiers gather at Mammoth Mountain for the beginning of the 2023-24 ski season on Nov. 10, 2023. (Mammoth Mountain)This year, Mammoth Mountain says the skiing experience will be better than before, with improvements and enhancements for visitors. Among the updates, a new-and-improved chairlift known as Chair 16 is ready to make its debut. The old lift was replaced with a new higher capacity detachable chairlift, which officials say will increase uphill capacity by up ...

Bracken Burns: Telling Stories That Matter

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:55:22 GMT

Film has an unparalleled ability to transcend boundaries, evoke emotions, and spark conversations. Through powerful storytelling, it can breathe life into hidden histories and critical societal issues. Bracken Burns, a producer, and actor, emerges as a remarkable storyteller committed to this transformative potential of cinema. With roots in the small town of Peace River, Alberta, her poignant work is steeped in authenticity.  A prime example is her upcoming documentary feature film “Wilds of Canada.” This film showcases Burns’s dedication to telling thought-provoking stories, as she explores her grandmother’s experience in a residential school, igniting discussions on history, identity, and reconciliation. Burns is poised to leave an indelible mark with her stirring narratives.Burns’s big break came when she worked with Viggo Mortensen on his directorial debut, ‘Falling’. The film garnered international attention and accolades, making appearances at prestigious fe...

Man Killed, 4 Hurt in Fiery Motorcycle Collision on International Boulevard [Oakland, CA]

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:55:22 GMT

Male Rider Pronounced Dead Fiery Accident near 37th AvenueOAKLAND, CA (November 10, 2023) – On Wednesday, a collision involving a motorcycle took place on International Boulevard, resulting in one fatality and injuries to four individuals.Emergency services were dispatched to the 3700 block of International Boulevard just before 3:15 p.m. According to reports, a motorcyclist, traveling at a high speed, collided with a light-colored SUV. The impact caused the motorcycle to ignite in flames, throwing the rider onto the road.Both the motorcyclist and the occupants of the SUV, a mother and her three teenage children, were taken to the hospital. There, the motorcyclist, a 32-year-old man from Oakland, succumbed to his injuries. His identity has not been disclosed to the public.The SUV’s occupants suffered minor injuries and are receiving treatment. Oakland authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation into the fatal collision. Further details will be released as the inv...

Driver on Richmond Parkway wounded in shooting

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:55:22 GMT

RICHMOND — A shooting Thursday night on the Richmond Parkway wounded a driver and left  investigators looking for who pulled the trigger.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Ex-East Bay attorney convicted of embezzling $400,000 from clients Crime and Public Safety | Suspected DUI crash in East Bay seriously injures two high school students Crime and Public Safety | Authorities identify suspect in fatal Pittsburg shooting Crime and Public Safety | East Bay woman makes first court appearance in fentanyl poisoning death of 23-month-old son Crime and Public Safety | Woman wounded, child uninjured in Oakland shooting Richmond police Sgt. Donald Patchin in an emailed statement said officers were notified about 6:10 p.m. by a gunshot-detection alert and several 911 calls about gunfire involving two vehicles. Police later determined that the shooting happened on Richmond Parkway between Goodrick Avenu...

Chad Daybell’s argument against death penalty: I did what my wife said

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:55:22 GMT

Chad Daybell, the Idaho man accused of three murders, is arguing he should not face the death penalty because he was manipulated by his wife.Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell. (Rexburg Police Department) Daybell, 55, has not yet gone to trial for the 2019 killings of his first wife and two of his second wife’s children.Lori Vallow Daybell, 50, was convicted in May on the same charges and received three consecutive life sentences. Shortly before her trial, the judge ruled out the possibility of the death penalty. She had invoked her right to a speedy trial, and her attorneys argued they did not have enough time to prepare for a capital case.The motion filed Thursday, Nov. 9, by Chad Daybell’s lawyer cites that outcome: “Ms. Vallow set the conspiracy in motion … and she remained in charge of her plan throughout. … Mr. Daybell has lesser culpability than his co-defendant, who did not face the death penalty.”The document liberally quotes the transcript o...

Redwood City police arrest man they say ‘terrorized’ parents, community

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:55:22 GMT

REDWOOD CITY — A Redwood City man was arrested Thursday after he attempted to barricade himself inside his parents’ house, causing a standoff with police, according to authorities.The 26-year-old man was arrested on warrants stemming from multiple alleged incidents throughout the past two months, police said. While details of the incidents were not included in a news release issued Friday, the man was accused of “terrorizing” his elderly parents and their community. According to police, the man “took over” his parents’ home, causing more than $30,000 in damages as well as vandalizing a neighbor’s vehicle.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Man charged with threatening San Mateo County judge after guns were stripped from him Crime and Public Safety | Redwood City man, 75, arrested after rescuer spots child porn photo on computer, police say Crime and Public Safety | San Bruno woman found guilty...

For skyrocketing Tiffany Haddish, there is no looking back

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:55:22 GMT

Actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish embodies the ultimate rags to riches story. You may know her from her many stand-up specials, or films like “Girls Trip” or “Haunted Mansion,” or her Apple TV series “The Afterparty,” but her road to stardom hasn’t been a parade of laughs.Haddish’s father left when she was a child, and after her mother suffered brain damage due to a car accident, she was put into foster care. While there, her social worker took notice of her comedic talents, and encouraged her to channel her class clown charisma into a full on career.Haddish followed this advice and began performing at comedy clubs, but it wasn’t always easy. There were even desperate times when she was homeless, or living in her car, but she didn’t give up. Today, she’s a successful comedian with several stand up specials, film and TV roles, music releases, as well as an autobiography under her belt. She was even the first Black w...

Attorney: Oakland police sergeant acted in self-defense in fatal shooting

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:55:22 GMT

OAKLAND — An Oakland police sergeant fatally shot a man Tuesday morning near City Hall after the man confronted him with a pistol and they exchanged gunfire, according to the sergeant’s attorney.On Friday, the police department identified the man killed as Lloyd Dillard but did not provide an age or place of residence for him. The sergeant’s name has still not been released.The shooting happened about 4 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection of 16th Street and San Pablo Avenue.The sergeant, who works in the Internal Affairs Division, which has its office nearby, had just parked his unmarked police car.The sergeant’s attorney, Harry Stern, of Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver, a law firm that frequently represents law enforcement officers, said the sergeant told him the man began pounding on the trunk of the car.Stern declined to identify the sergeant, but said he got out of the car to investigate and the other man “for no apparent reason pointed a p...