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Other voices: Will we ever know the depth of pandemic fraud?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

The late American satirist P.J. O’Rourke once cracked that “Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” The $32 trillion national debt is one testament to the accuracy of his observation. The billions and billions of dollars that Washington squandered during the pandemic is yet another.The Associated Press last week unveiled the results of an investigation headlined “The Great Grift,” cataloging how the federal government got ripped off in its effort to mitigate the economic carnage of COVID. The fraud was so widespread that it might be another two years before federal accountants can tally an accurate total. For now, however, the wire service report pegs the figure at about $420 billion — or 10 percent of the $4.2 trillion the government spent on pandemic relief.“Investigators and outside experts say the government, in seeking to quickly spend trillions in relief aid, conducted too little overs...

Three arrested in Saugerties for assault and burglary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Three people have been arrested in Saugerties following an investigation into a burglary and assault, according to police. Spencer Sutton Sr., 52, of Saugerties, Spencer Sutton Jr., 29, of Athens, and Janelle Bass, 47, of Saugerties, are all facing multiple charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On June 14 at 12:55 a.m., police responded to a 911 call reporting a disturbance at a home in Saugerties. Following a preliminary investigation, SPD Detective’s Division initiated an investigation into a burglary and assault which had occurred at the residence. The police investigation revealed that three individuals, two males and a female, had forced their way into the victim’s home and allegedly assaulted the victim once inside. The victim was treated at a nearby hospital and released. State Trooper shot while conducting a traffic stop on I-88 On June 16, police arrested Sutton Sr., Sutton Jr., ...

Denver weather: Sunny skies with highs in the 80s on the way

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

A weather warmup is on tap for the metro area with a string of 80s in the forecast.Saturday in Denver the high temperature will top out at 70, with a 50% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorm under mostly cloudy skies, according to the National Weather Service. There’s a slight chance for severe thunderstorms south and southeast of Denver, with possible hail and winds up to 60 mph.Flash flooding remains a threat Saturday afternoon across part of Elbert and Lincoln counties where a flood watch is posted from noon until 6 p.m. Saturday, the weather service said. Conditions are expected to improve from west to east this evening.There will be a slight risk of severe thunderstorms mainly south and east of Denver this afternoon. Hail up to 2 inches in diameter and wind gusts to 60 mph may occur with the stronger storms. Flash flooding possible along already swollen creeks/streams. #COwx pic.twitter.com/VJvngVibWF— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) June 17, 2023Denver skies ...

Report: Mexican resort where Orange County couple died ignored gas leak problems

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

Current and former employees at Rancho Pescadero, the luxury hotel in Mexico where a couple from Orange County was found dead this week, said that resort managers ignored repeated signs of a possible gas leak for months, The Los Angeles Times is reporting.The bodies of John Heathco, 41, and Abby Lutz, 28, were found in their room at the hotel in Mexico’s Baja California Sur state on Tuesday, and preliminary reports suggest the couple died due to inhalation of gas. Hotel managers ignored complaints about the strong smell of gas from both guests and employees for months, both current and former workers at Rancho Pescadero told the L.A. Times. Carbon monoxide detectors were reportedly disabled after repeated complaints from guests about the loud alarms. Abby Lutz and John Heathco were found dead at a resort in Baja California Sur. June 2023. (Facebook)According to a current employee at the hotel, a housekeeper cleaning the couple’s room fell ill due to suspected gas poisoning. Addition...

Kourtney Kardashian, Travis Barker announce pregnancy at L.A. Blink-182 concert

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

Kourtney Kardashian and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker are expecting their first child.Kardashian, 44, shared the news first with Blink-182 fans at the band’s concert at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles Friday night and later on Instagram. The reality TV star held up a sign reading “Travis I’m pregnant” from the front row, which was broadcast on large screens next to the stage.Barker, 47, and bandmate Mark Hoppus joined Kardashian in the crowd, and fans erupted when she and Barker kissed.Kourtney Kardashian shared the pregnancy news with Blink-182 fans at the band’s concert at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles Friday night and later on Instagram. (IG: kourtneykardash)On her Instagram stories, Kourtney Kardashian shared the obvious inspiration for her announcement, which was Blink-182’s 1999 music video for “All the Small Things” in which a woman is also seen holding up a sign that reads “Travis I’m pregnant.”Barker and Kardashian married last year and have six children from previous relati...

6-year-old boy wounded in Oakland shooting crossfire at gas station

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

OAKLAND — A 6-year-old boy was wounded in the leg by stray bullets Friday night when a shooting erupted at an East Oakland gas station, authorities said.The shooting happened two hours before a man was shot at a street memorial for a recent homicide victim.The boy was shot about 9:20 p.m. Friday at a Kwik Serv gas station at 22nd Avenue and East 12th Street, police said.Authorities said the boy’s father had stopped at the station for gas. The boy’s 3-year-old sister was also in the vehicle, authorities said.Police said that gunshots were suddenly fired at the station, apparently by more than one gunman trying to shoot another person at the station.Authorities said the boy was hit multiple times in his leg by stray bullets. His father drove him to a hospital where he was in stable condition Saturday. The father and little girl were not injured.Authorities said the suspects and intended target fled before police got to the gas station. A motive for the shooting is un...

Our post-spring college basketball top-25 forecast: USC, Arizona climb, UCLA falls and Colorado enters the rankings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd has struggled to navigate March Madness during his two seasons on the job, but the man knows his way around May like few others in his profession.Lloyd expertly combined the transfer portal and recruiting trail last month to remake Arizona’s roster and position the Wildcats for the 2023-24 conference title and a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.He fortified the bench with several touted international recruits, including Lithuanian center Motiejus Krivas, who reportedly owns a 7-foot-5 wingspan.More importantly, Lloyd landed three likely starters from the transfer portal: Guards Jaden Bradley from Alabama and Caleb Love from North Carolina, plus forward Keshad Johnson, who played a crucial role in San Diego State’s stunning charge to the national championship game.Bradley and Love will provide needed perimeter playmaking; Johnson, frontcourt defense. Above all, the newcomers should increase the level of physical and mental resolve for a program th...

San Carlos: 2 Redwood City men arrested on suspicion of stealing $50,000 in construction material

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

Two Redwood City men have been arrested on suspicion of stealing about $50,000 of construction materials including copper wire from a commercial property in San Carlos, authorities said.The burglary happened over the weekend of June 10 in the 700 block of Industrial Road.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Federal ammo charges filed over investigation into alleged meth dealers from Brentwood, Bay Point Crime and Public Safety | 11 arrested at Great Mall in Milpitas for 125 stolen items Crime and Public Safety | ‘I was told what to say’: Woman claims Oakland police officer fed her testimony Crime and Public Safety | Police software crashes forced dispatchers to hand-write call info, slowed responses Crime and Public Safety | A series of ghastly transactions: Harvard and University of Arkansas human body trafficking ring told through federal charging documents San Mateo County sheriffR...

Federal ammo charges filed over investigation into alleged meth dealers from Brentwood, Bay Point

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

OAKLAND — Robert Allan Brown might be in jail on federal charges of being a felon in possession of ammunition, but the investigation behind his arrest runs much deeper.Brown, 44, of Bay Point, was charged June 6 with the lone felony count, which carries up to 10 years in prison. The charge stems from an August 2022 traffic stop that also led state and federal authorities down a rabbit hole of the methamphetamine industry of East Contra Costa County and back to a Brentwood residence where they seized six pounds of the drug years before.Prosecutors say that on Aug. 18, 2022, Contra Costa Sheriff’s deputies on patrol in Pittsburg attempted to pull Brown over, but he fled in his Corvette, leading the deputies and later Antioch officers on a chase that ended at a residence on Cleveland Avenue in Bay Point. There, a sheriff K9 almost immediately jumped into the vehicle and alerted to a center console, where police allegedly found 1.6 pounds of methamphetamine, a silencer, roug...

Police: Street racer flees in Mercedes after fatally striking pedestrian in Oakland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

OAKLAND — A 58-year-old woman crossing an East Oakland street Friday night died after she was hit by a car police said was involved in a street race. The driver fled after the collision and is being sought by Oakland police.The name of the woman, an Oakland resident, has not been released.The fatal collision happened about 7:05 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Vicksburg Avenue.Police said the woman was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk when she was hit by a black Mercedes that was going westbound on Foothill and did not stop for a red light.Police said based on witness statements and video surveillance, the driver of the Mercedes was speeding and was involved in a street race when the woman was hit. A detailed description of the driver was not available.The woman died later at a hospital.Police said it is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were also factors in what happened.Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $10,000 i...