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Disney Parks to host Star Wars themed listening party for May the 4th

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

The Disney Parks’ YouTube channel will host a 24-hour listening party of “the latest hits from around the galaxy” to celebrate May the 4th.DJ Rex, a Star Wars character seen at Oga’s Cantina at Disneyland, will host the listening party, according to the YouTube Page. The new virtual event comes as the Anaheim theme park celebrates Star Wars Month, a celebration of everything Star Wars.The listening party will begin at 9 p.m. and can be streamed here. For those who can't tune into the listening party, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Oga's Cantina: R3X's Playlist #1 and Playlist #2 are available on various streaming platforms. Disneyland fans can listen to music played in the theme parks at home The Disneyland Resort kicked off its Star Wars Month celebration on May 1 with the return of Hyperspace Mountain, “epic encounters," unique Star Wars Month merchandise and themed food and beverage items, according to Disneyland officials.Movie and Star Wars fans alike can also watch Star Wars film...

Thousand Oaks sex offender sentenced to prison for crimes against minors

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

A previously convicted Thousand Oaks sex offender was sentenced to prison for crimes against minors and human trafficking on Tuesday.Robert Ryan McGraa, 41, was sentenced to 15 years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to six felony charges related to human trafficking, possession of child sexual abuse material and luring a minor for a lewd purpose, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.In 2019, investigators received a tip that McGraa had child sexual abuse material in his email account. Authorities discovered McGraa possessed “numerous images of prepubescent child females being sexually assaulted by adult males,” according to court documents.He also “actively exchanged these types of images over the internet with other child sexual assault predators,” authorities said.McGraa has a history of convicted sexual crimes against minors, the DA’s office said.In 2005, he was sentenced to 16 months in prison for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor amon...

WeHo robbers armed with AK-47 arrested in Beverly Hills

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

A group of robbers who wielded what appeared to be an AK-47 during a holdup near La Boheme last month have been taken into custody, officials said.The robbery at Santa Monica Boulevard and Orlando Avenue in West Hollywood was reported the night of April 25, but it was a robbery in Beverly Hills that led to the suspects' arrests, said West Hollywood City Manager David Wilson.Beverly Hills police initially said Tuesday that three people held up victims outside of a department store on Beverly Boulevard, with one person armed with an assault-style rifle, though a Wednesday press release said there were four people arrested after a reported robbery and pursuit. They include Briana Threets, 18, and Keymaurie Clark, 26, both of Oakland, and two teens — one boy and one girl both 15 years old. A handgun and a rifle were found in their vehicle, which had also been stolen, according to the BHPD.Keymaurie Clark and Briana Threets are seen in photos released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's ...

Nine Injured in Multi-Car Accident on Del Rosa Avenue [San Bernardino, CA]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

Multiple Victims Hurt in Red Light Collision near Highland AvenueSAN BERNARDINO, CA (May 3, 2023) – Sunday afternoon, nine victims sustained injuries in a multi-car accident on Del Rosa Avenue.The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m., near the intersection of Del Rosa and Highland Avenue.Per reports, the driver of a stolen vehicle ran a red light and struck seven other cars. The driver then exited the stolen car and fled the scene on foot.Crews located multiple occupants suffering from various injuries at the scene. Several victims had to be extricated from their vehicles.Responding paramedics then transported two victims to a nearby trauma center with critical injuries. Seven other occupants also suffered moderate injuries.Based on witness reports, the suspect driver was heading south on Del Rosa Avenue when the crash occurred. At this time, San Bernardino Police have not yet described the suspect.Officials are asking anyone with additional information to contact your local aut...

50 koi fish missing from San Jose park

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

A school of roughly 50 koi fish is missing from a San Jose public garden, city officials said Wednesday.The fish were located at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Kelley Park in the Little Saigon neighborhood. The garden symbolizes San Jose’s sister-city friendship with Okayama, Japan that started in 1965.“The City is heartbroken at the disappearance of these beautiful creatures,” a statement from the city’s Parks and Recreation Department said. “We will provide updates as we receive them.”Koi fish have been stocked since 1966 in the garden, which is based off Korakuen Garden in Okayama. In 2009, more than 200 fish were wiped out by a virus.The koi fish are the second piece of property stolen from the city that has been connected to a sister city. In February, this news organization found an Indian statue was taken from Guadalupe River Park. The statue was given to San Jose by its sister city Pune, India.This story is developing and will be updated.

Florida Republicans ban diversity programs, regulate pronouns

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

By Anthony Izaguirre | Associated PressTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Republicans on Wednesday approved bills to ban diversity programs in colleges and prevent students and teachers from being required to use pronouns that don’t correspond to someone’s biological sex, building on top priorities of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.The two proposals were given final passage by the Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate. DeSantis is expected to sign the bills into law.DeSantis, who is expected to announce a presidential campaign in the coming weeks, has driven a hardline conservative agenda as he seeks to bolster support of Republican primary voters ahead of his White House run.The state’s Legislative session, scheduled to end this week, has been dominated by divisive cultural issues, with Republican allies of DeSantis approving his priority bills on sexual orientation, gender identity, race and education that are expected to aid the governor in his presidential ...

Wells Fargo let boss grope and harass exec, and fired her for complaining: lawsuit

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

A Wells Fargo boss started by mocking a female executive’s fiancé, moved on to inappropriately touching and groping her, then threatened to take sales opportunities from her if she didn’t date him, according to a new lawsuit against the San Francisco-headquartered bank and the alleged harasser.Wells Fargo management responded to complaints by the former VP and senior portfolio manager, who filed suit anonymously as Jane Doe, by forcing her to continue working with the man, attempting to block her from receiving a hefty referral fee and commission, and finally firing her, the lawsuit claimed.Wells Fargo spokeswoman Laurie Kight said Wednesday the bank was reviewing the lawsuit. “We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously,” Kight said.Doe started in an executive position at Wells Fargo in 2000, in a Los Angeles unit devoted to serving high-wealth clients, and was promoted to a senior VP position five years later, according to her lawsuit filed Wednesd...

Letters: Electric cars | Status quo | Firmer hand | Reforms hurt residents | Community service

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Ample ways to makeelectric cars accessibleRe: “State hits ambitious goal for electric cars” (Page B1, April 21).It’s exciting to see that California now makes up 40% of all new electric vehicle sales nationwide and surpassed a bold electric vehicle goal two years sooner than expected. It speaks to the many reasons why EVs are so appealing, including the savings at the gas pump, overall better driving experience, and the reduction in maintenance costs and harmful emissions.There are a growing number of ways to make EVs even more accessible, which is why I’m glad the author mentioned the tax incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act. Readers should also be aware of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Clean Cars for All program. For residents who qualify, the program provides up to $9,500 to retire their old vehicle when purchasing an EV. Others can use the incentive to...

Oklahoma officials: Sex offender killed 6, then himself

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

By Sean Murphy | Associated PressAn Oklahoma sex offender who was released from prison early shot his wife, her three children and their two friends in the head and then killed himself, authorities confirmed Wednesday as concerns grew about why he was free in the first place.Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice said that the victims had sustained between one and three wounds to the head when they were found Monday on a rural Oklahoma property. Jesse McFadden, a 39-year-old convicted sex offender, then shot himself, Prentice said in the first major update on the case.The victims’ bodies were found near a creek and in a heavily wooded area.“The evidence is that Jesse McFadden murdered six people and then killed himself. Beyond that, I don’t know what his thought process was,” Prentice said. “I’m not going to express a theory because I follow the evidence, and I don’t have any evidence about what the motive was.”Family members have question...

Letters: Eliminating suspensions | Smoke-free district | Distracted pedestrians | Fitting end | More pay

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:55 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Don’t cut suspensionswithout teaching firstRe: “Booting kids from class could get harder” (Page B1, April 30).State Senator Nancy Skinner’s Senate Bill 274 seeks to eliminate willful defiance as a cause for student suspensions in middle and high schools.I would suggest all state legislators spend one week as substitute teachers in any public middle or high school in California prior to discussing Skinner’s bill. I believe our lawmakers will see her suggestion as a step in the wrong direction. It might also spur discussion to funding alternatives to at-home suspensions.Steve StavisLos GatosFoothill-DeAnza districtshould be smoke-freeRe: “De Anza students express support for smoke-free campus” (Jan. 22).Exposure to secondhand smoke/vape increases the likelihood of lung cancer by 20%-30%, according to the CDC. I’m writing this letter to express my concerns wit...