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Fireworks-related air pollution hits dangerous levels in Los Angeles area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:13 GMT

Air pollution reached dangerous levels in the Los Angeles area Wednesday as lingering fireworks smoke combined with the usual smog across the region, officials said.The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an air quality alert for L.A., Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties where particulate matter (PM2.5) readings soared into the mid-200s in some locations.Short-term pollution, especially in Southern California’s Inland Empire, was among the worst in the world Wednesday, even topping China and India.A map showing air pollution levels in the Los Angeles area. July 5, 2023. (South Coast AQMD)The alert extends through Wednesday evening.“Breathing of fine particulate matter can lead to a wide variety of cardiovascular and respiratory health effects such as heart attacks, asthma aggravation, decreased lung function, coughing, or difficulty breathing and may lead to premature death in people with heart or lung disease,” South Coast AQMD said in its advisory.Pollutio...

California cities and counties among the 10 most expensive places to buy a home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:13 GMT

(The Hill) -- Rising prices in the first quarter of the year pushed up the income needed to afford a home to its highest level since 2007. Major homeownership expenses last quarter required about 33 percent of a family’s monthly income, a report from nationwide property data provider ATTOM showed. Typically, lenders call for a buyer's monthly debt-to-income ratio not to exceed 28 percent. Now after three quarters of declines, the price for a median single-family home rose to $350,000 — up 10 percent from the first quarter.  Nine cities where buying a home is still cheaper than renting ATTOM’s report shows prospective buyers needed to earn at least $75,000 annually to afford a median-priced home in about half of the nation’s housing markets. The highest yearly wages needed to afford a median-priced home were highest in markets along the East and West coasts. Wage requirements were highest in Manhattan County, New York, where prospec...

Male Motorcyclist Killed in Head-On Crash on Valley View Boulevard [Las Vegas, NV]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:13 GMT

Man Pronounced Dead after Head-On Motorcycle Collision on Viking RoadLAS VEGAS, NV (July 5, 2023) – Monday night, a male motorcyclist was killed in a head-on crash on Valley View Boulevard.Police responded to the scene just after 9:00 p.m., near West Viking Road on June 19th.For reasons under investigation, the driver of southbound Nissan veered into the eastbound lanes and collided head-on with an oncoming motorcyclist.Medical personnel arrived and transported the rider to UMC Trauma with extreme injuries.Meanwhile, the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. He showed no signs of impairment. At this time, authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased victims.Once available, further details will be provided about the fatal head-on crash on Valley View Boulevard.In this sorrowful time, the Sweet James team would like to extend their heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased man. May you find comfort and strength during thi...

Amery Sweany Killed in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Crash on Simpson Lane [Marysville, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:13 GMT

27-Year-Old Chico Woman Dead Possible Hit-and-Run near Simpson Dantoni RoadMARYSVILLE, CA (July 5, 2023) – Thursday afternoon, a hit-and-run on Simpson Lane claimed the life of Amery Sweany.The incident happened on April 27th, officers responded shortly after 2:38 p.m. at the 1700 block of Simpson Lane.Upon arrival, authorities located the victim’s body lying on the side of the road.At this time, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. However, autopsy reports determined that the victim’s cause of death was blunt force trauma.Additionally, police found supporting evidence of her being struck by a vehicle at the scene.Later, the Tuba County Sheriff’s Department identified the deceased woman as 27-year-old Amery Sweany of Chico.Marysville Officials continue to investigate the fatal hit-and-run. Police are asking those who witnessed the incident to contact the sheriff’s department at 530-749-7777.The team at Sweet James sends their warm and sincerest sympathies...

Julio Cesar Leiva Fatally Struck in Pedestrian Accident on State Route 74 [Homeland, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:13 GMT

75-Year-Old Man Pronounced Dead after Pedestrian Collision near Leon RoadHOMELAND, CA (July 5, 2023) – Sunday evening, Julio Cesar Leiva was fatally struck in a pedestrian accident on State Route 74.Authorities responded to the scene around 6:00 p.m., on the westbound lanes of the highway just east of 215 Freeway.Investigators say the driver of a Toyota Camry who was possibly traveling well over the 25mph speed limit, struck a male pedestrian in the area.Upon impact, the involved driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.Meanwhile, medics arrived and pronounced the male pedestrian, 75-year-old Leiva, of Homeland dead at the scene.Those with additional information about the SR-74 pedestrian crash are encouraged to contact the CHP Temecula office at 951-506-2000.The team at Sweet James offers their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of Julio Cesar Leiva. May you find comfort and strength during this difficult time.If a family member ...

Ohio abortion rights backers submit nearly double needed signatures

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:13 GMT

By Julie Carr Smyth | Associated PressCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Groups hoping to enshrine abortion rights in Ohio’s constitution delivered nearly double the number of signatures needed to place an amendment on the fall statewide ballot, aiming to signal sweeping widespread support for an issue that still faces the threat of needing a significantly increased victory margin.Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights said they dropped off more than 700,000 petition signatures on Wednesday to Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office in downtown Columbus. LaRose now will work with local election boards to determine that at least 413,446 are valid, which would get the proposal onto the Nov. 7 ballot.“Today, we take a huge step forward in the fight for abortion access and reproductive freedom for all, to ensure that Ohioans and their families can make their own health care decisions without government interference,” Lauren Blauvelt and Kellie Copeland of Ohi...

Sweden torn between free speech, respecting minorities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:13 GMT

By Karl Ritter and Jan M. Olsen | Associated PressSTOCKHOLM — A Quran burning and a string of requests to approve the destruction of more holy books have left Sweden torn between its commitment to free speech and its respect for religious minorities.The clash of fundamental principles has complicated Sweden’s desire to join NATO, an expansion that gained urgency after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but needs the approval of all current members. Turkey has blocked Swedish accession since last year, citing reasons including anti-Turkish and anti-Islamic protests in Stockholm.Then, last week, an Iraqi Christian immigrant burned Islam’s holy book outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, an act that the man said displayed his feelings about the Quran.The burning triggered widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. And along with similar recent protests by a far-right activist, it sparked a debate in Sweden about the limits of freedom o...

Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of planning nuclear plant attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:13 GMT

By Samya Kullab | Associated PressKYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine and Russia accused each other Wednesday of planning to attack one of the world’s largest nuclear power plants, but neither side provided evidence to support their claims of an imminent threat to the facility in southeastern Ukraine that is occupied by Russian troops.The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been a focus of fear since Moscow’s forces took control of it early in the war. Ever since then, Moscow and Kyiv have traded blame for shelling the facility and accused each other of nuclear terrorism.Regular power outages resulting from shelling made it impossible to operate the plant safely, and its six reactors have been shut down to minimize the threat of a disaster.Over the last year, the U.N.’s atomic watchdog repeatedly expressed alarm over the possibility of a radiation catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl after a reactor exploded in 1986.Ukraine has alleged more recently that Moscow might try to ...

Three-bedroom home sells in Oakland for $1.6 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:13 GMT

3959 Fruitvale Avenue – Google Street ViewA house located in the 3900 block of Fruitvale Avenue in Oakland has a new owner. The 1,956-square-foot property, built in 1953, was sold on May 26, 2023. The $1,600,000 purchase price works out to $818 per square foot. The property features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a garage. It sits on a 0.3-acre lot.Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby:A 1,840-square-foot home on the 3900 block of Lyman Road in Oakland sold in December 2022, for $1,520,000, a price per square foot of $826. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In June 2022, a 1,403-square-foot home on Waterhouse Road in Oakland sold for $2,000,000, a price per square foot of $1,426. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Oakmore Road, Oakland, in October 2022, a 1,888-square-foot home was sold for $1,500,000, a price per square foot of $794. The home has 2 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. 

What to watch: ‘Joy Ride’ is one of the funniest films you’ll see all year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:13 GMT

One of the funniest films of the year comes out this week. So does one of the most piercing character studies of 2023. Other new releases focus on two best buddies living and sparring in a biodome and literary figures getting down and dirty.Here’s our roundup.“Joy Ride”: The hard-R-rated comedy features a fantastic quartet of actors — Ashley Park, Stephanie Hsu, Sherry Cola and Sabrina Wu — who portray a diverse quartet of Asian American friends who meet up in China and get into all sorts of outlandish mischief. Director Adele Lim’s directorial debut is as much raunchy fun as “Bridesmaids” and “Girls Trip,” but it’s smart, too, commenting on the need to embrace our true identities. I’ve seen it twice and would gladly see it twice more. It’s the best comedy of the summer. Details: 3½ stars out of 4; in theaters July 7.“Earth Mama”: Olympiad-turned-filmmaker Savanah Leaf’s impressive feature debut adopts a John Cassavetes-like approach to observing pregnant single mo...