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Opinion: John Muir, small town service, and abandoning our political ideologies

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:59:21 GMT

Although I’ve lived in a small Western town for 30 years now, I have never known much about one of its fundamental institutions, the service club. Many small-town residents still center their lives on Lions, Elks, Rotary or similar organizations.Not me: I’m not a joiner. Yet as our national culture moves farther away from such settings for broad discussions, I worry that I’m part of the problem.A while ago when I was asked to speak at our local Rotary Club, I hesitated, picturing white guys networking with each other and complaining about newcomers. But I had published a book, and publishers instruct authors to market wherever you can.Upon arrival, I cataloged the changes since my last Rotary visit decades ago: The president was a 20-something woman, we ordered off a menu, and people seemed less guarded.Our local Rotary, I learned, was known as relatively liberal, and some of the older men seemed pretty vigorous. The faces reflected the town’s lily-white complexion, but I noticed th...

Federal judge blocks Colorado’s ban on abortion reversal from applying to Catholic clinic that sued over law

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:59:21 GMT

A federal judge over the weekend temporarily blocked a new Colorado law that bans abortion-reversal treatment from being enforced against a Catholic health care clinic that immediately sued over the new law.U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Domenico issued a temporary restraining order Saturday that stops enforcement of the ban for 14 days against Englewood-based Bella Health and Wellness. SB23-190, signed into law Friday, prohibits medical providers from offering so-called abortion reversal medication — designating such care as unprofessional conduct that is subject to professional discipline.The ban will be reversed if the Colorado medical board and the state boards of pharmacy and nursing issue new rules by Oct. 1 that find it acceptable for medical providers to engage in medication abortion reversal and it is a generally accepted standard of practice. However, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says abortion medication reversal is not supported by scie...

PHOTOS: Denver Nuggets trounce Minnesota Timberwolves in game 1 of first round NBA playoff series

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:59:21 GMT

The Denver Nuggets hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves in game one of a best-of-seven first-round NBA playoff series at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Denver won 109-80.Related ArticlesDenver Nuggets | Kiszla: These Nuggets are spicy and the T-Pups don’t have enough dawg to stay in this NBA playoff fight Denver Nuggets | Jamal Murray, Nuggets throttle T-Wolves in resounding Game 1 win Denver Nuggets | Nuggets 3-pointers: Why was NBA MVP Nikola Jokic playing so late in laughable Game 1? Denver Nuggets | Nuggets vs. Timberwolves: Denver dominates Game 1 with 109-80 win Denver Nuggets | Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Who has the edge, five things to watch and predictions

Man arrested in Northridge strip mall shooting that left 1 dead, 3 wounded

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:59:21 GMT

A man has been arrested in connection with a shooting at a Northridge strip mall that left one person dead and three others injured over the weekend, police said Monday.Jamal Jackson, 24, of Panorama City, was located and arrested Sunday in Ontario, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.His white Toyota Camry was also found and recovered as evidence.The shooting was reported around 12:35 p.m. Saturday in the 19100 block of Parthenia Street.The suspect's vehicle is seen in surveillance video released by the LAPD on April 17, 2023. Jamal Jackson is seen in a photo provided by the LAPD on April 17, 2023. Security video shows two victims entering a shop and offering to paint over graffiti just moments before they were shot in Northridge on April 15, 2023. (Northridge Ice Cream)Security video shows two victims entering a shop and offering to paint over graffiti just moments before they were shot in Northridge on April 15, 2023. (Northridge Ice Cream)Security video shows a victim...

Fixed-rate electricity bill charges: how they would work

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:59:21 GMT

Because of a new state law, California’s three largest power companies, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Gas & Electric, have submitted a joint proposal to the state’s Public Utilities Commission to simply electricity bills, including a fixed-rate billing system based on household income. The aim is to lower power bills, particularly for lower-income customers, while increasing transparency.If enacted, customers would see two main charges on their bills.The new fixed ratePut simply, the more you earn the more you pay for recurring charges (not related to energy usage):Households with annual income from $28,000 – $69,000 would pay $20 a month in Southern California Edison territory, $34 a month in SDG&E territory, and $30 a month in PG&E territory.Households earning $69,000 – $180,000 would pay $51 a month in Edison and PG&E territories, and $73 a month in SDG&E te...

Jana Diaz, Joy Diaz Killed in DUI Crash on Gold Dust Avenue [Scottsdale, AZ]

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:59:21 GMT

2 Killed, 2 Injured in Two-Car Accident on Scottsdale RoadSCOTTSDALE, AZ (April 17, 2023) – Friday night, a DUI crash on Gold Dust Avenue claimed the lives of Jana Diaz and Joy Diaz.The incident happened on April 7th, at around 7:45 p.m., at Gold Dust Avenue and Scottsdale Road, just south of Shea Boulevard.According to reports, a vehicle, occupied by the Diaz family, was stopped at a red light at the intersection when the drunk driver crashed into them. The drunk driver was reportedly traveling at 100 mph. The impact of the collision caused the Diaz family’s car to rip in half and left all of the occupants of the vehicle severely injured.First responders to the site of the collision pronounced 47-year-old Jana Diaz and 10-year-old Joy Diaz dead at the scene. Meanwhile, paramedics transported Chino Diaz and 16-year-old Ryan Diaz to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. Our deepest...

The Good Old Times: Europeans Got High on Hallucinogens Back in the Bronze Age

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:59:21 GMT

Europeans are known for their love for raves. Though there isn’t exactly a “party animal gene,” it just so coincidentally happens that some of their ancestors in the Bronze Age got high on hallucinogens in their own “secret” club — inside a cave! But they didn’t exclusively get high on psychedelics for the sheer purpose of achieving a euphoric state.Cave raves: apparently, one Bronze Age bonding activity was getting high on hallucinogens!In Menorca — a Spanish island that’s situated in the Mediterranean Sea — lies a cave (that was only discovered by spelunkers in 1995) called Es Càrritx. Since its discovery, various archeologists have wanted to see what was inside it. There, they found over 200 individuals who once inhabited the cave. Naturally, the scientists were in awe of what they found.Not only did the archeologists view the remains of people who lived a long time ago (approximately 2,800-3,000 years ago), but they also found sealed containers that had strands of hair — that ha...

Katherine Loarie Pronounced Dead, Three Others Injured in Two-Vehicle Crash on State Route 62 [Palo Alto, CA]

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:59:21 GMT

Pickup-SUV Collision Near Sunview Road Kills 45-Year-Old WomanPALO ALTO, CA (April 17, 2023) – Katherine Loarie was killed and three others sustained injuries in a two-vehicle accident in Palo Alto.The fatal collision happened around 12:20 p.m. on eastbound State Route 62, just east of Sunview Rod.According to the CHP, a 2023 Nisan Rouge yielded on the right shoulder just before turning left. However, a 2018 Ford F-250 pickup going east collided with the driver’s side of the Nissan.Unfortunately, the Nissan driver, identified as 45-year-old Katherine Loarie sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.Her 47-year-old male passenger from Switzerland was rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs for treatment of major injuries.Meanwhile, the 68-year-old male Ford driver from Muskego Wisconsin and his 67-year-old female passenger sustained moderate injuries. Paramedics transported both to Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree.The California Highway Patrol claim...

Tania Ajanae Oliver, Isaiah Dieago Zamarripa Killed in Rollover Crash on Interstate 5 [Wheeler Ridge, CA]

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:59:21 GMT

Solo-Vehicle Accident near Laval Road Left 2 Dead and 4 Others HospitalizedWHEELER RIDGE, CA (April 17, 2023) -Early Sunday, a rollover crash on Interstate 5 left Tania Ajanae Oliver and Isaiah Dieago Zamarripa dead.The Kern County Fire Department responded to the incident on April 9th, at around 2:48 a.m. along northbound Interstate 5 near the Laval Road exit.According to reports, a 2022 Toyota 4Runner, occupied by six people crashed and rolled over. The impact of the collision caused all six occupants to be ejected from the vehicle.Emergency crews arrived to the site of the collision shortly after. There, they pronounced 19-year-old Tania Ajanae Oliver, of Fresno, and 21-year-old Isaiah Dieago Zamarripa, also of Fresno, dead at the scene. Meanwhile, paramedics airlifted the other four victims to Kern Medical for treatment of life-threatening injuries.The team at Sweet James sends their warm and sincerest sympathies out to the friends and family of Tania Ajanae Oliver and Isaiah Di...

Donny Osmond brings acclaimed Las Vegas show to Northern California

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:59:21 GMT

Donny Osmond is taking his award-winning Las Vegas show on the road.That’s the good news. The even better news — at least for Bay Area fans — is that that road leads right to San Jose.Osmond performs Aug. 12 at the San Jose Civic.He also has two other Northern California dates — Aug. 9 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Wheatland and Aug. 10 at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto.Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. April 21, ticketmaster.com.For more information, visit www.donny.com.Osmond has reportedly scored 33 gold records and sold over 100 million albums during his career, which now stretches six decades. His latest album, “Start Again,” was released in 2021.Osmond and his Vegas show have earned numerous accolades, including trophies for best show, best headliner and best singer for the 2021 Best of Las Vegas awards.The show “is a dynamic, energy-filled musical journey of his unparalleled life as one of the most recognized entertainers in ...