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Multiple California residents win a combined amount of $7 million from scratcher games

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:10 GMT

Five California residents are now millionaires after winning a combined amount of $7 million from California Lottery scratcher games, the state lottery office announced Thursday. California’s new millionaires:- Victor Varela won $1 million after playing the Winter Riches scratcher ticket he purchased at Vallarta Supermarket in National City in San Diego County.- Van Le, who represents a group of four players who purchase scratchers tickets together and - - Teddy Young each won $2 million after playing Instant Prize Crossword scratchers tickets purchased at convenience stores in Northern California.- Luis Cruz won $1 million after playing the Winter Riches scratcher ticket purchased from a Fastrip in Mendota in Fresno County.- Ramon Torres won $1 million after playing a 50X Fortune scratchers ticket purchased at a Union 76 gas station in Sherman Oaks in Los Angeles County. Some California lottery winners not claiming prizes; unclaimed tickets add up to tens of millions The winners ...

Man steals snowplow in Big Bear, doesn't get very far

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:10 GMT

When it comes to stolen vehicles, they don’t get much slower than this.A man was arrested in Big Bear after authorities say he stole a snowplow from City Hall.The theft occurred Saturday when Jonathan Hernandez, 35, from San Dimas broke into a secured “skid-steer” snowplow and drove away, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.Deputies were provided GPS data and found the snowplow a short time later. Hernandez, who was still inside the vehicle, was arrested for grand theft, the department said.Hernandez also had an active felony warrant for his arrest, and a search of a local hotel room where he was staying produced additional charges.David and Kelli Góra 's home is covered after a snowstorm in Big Bear Lake, Calif., on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (David Góra via AP)“Hotel staff went inside the room to remove Hernandez's property and located two rifles and live ammunition,” the department said, adding that a handgun was also found inside his car.Hernandez was firs...

Three men arrested in El Monte for allegedly possessing one million fentanyl pills 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:10 GMT

Three Mexican nationals were arrested in El Monte for allegedly possessing one million fentanyl pills and have now been charged with violating federal drug laws. According to the affidavit, Florencio Camacho Allan, Gerardo Gaixola-Patino and Alex Valdez Oroz, all natives of Sinaloa, Mexico, met with two buyers at an El Segundo restaurant on Tuesday to discuss a 10,000-fentanyl pill sale to be followed by a deal for one million pills. It is alleged that Allan and Gaixola-Patino went to the parking lot and sold 10,000 fentanyl pills to the buyers for $7,500 while Oroz remained in the vehicle. Afterwards, the suspects left the restaurant under law enforcement surveillance, and Allan allegedly later confirmed with one of the buyers that they were interested in doing the one million pill deal later that day, according to the report. Law enforcement officials located the pills and conducted a traffic stop on the white Volkswagen Jetta that was reportedly being driven by the suspects ...

Suspect in shooting of 2 Jewish men in L.A. pleads not guilty

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:10 GMT

A man who allegedly shot and wounded two Jewish men as they left synagogues in Los Angeles last month pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal hate crimes, authorities said.The shootings Feb. 15 and Feb. 16 brought fear into LA's Jewish community after officials said the victims were targeted because they wore clothing that identified their faith, including black coats and head coverings. Both survived the violence. Jaime Tran, 28, is charged with two counts of hate crimes and two counts of using, carrying and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He entered his not-guilty plea Thursday in federal court. He remains held without bail.Kate Corrigan, one of Tran's attorneys, said she expects to receive discovery-hearing evidence within the coming days as she prepares his defense.“We’ll be looking at the overall scenario in this case and addressing the charges,” she said Thursday.Tran told law enforcement that he looked online for a “kosher market” and decid...

Frozen TV dinners inspire a hilarious, ‘gross’ East Bay art show

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:10 GMT

Do you have fond memories of eating “Salisbury steak” from a “banquet” tray of microwavable food? Then you should head to the Two Cats Gallery in El Cerrito, which has completely redone its arts space into a celebration of frozen TV dinners and 1970s nostalgia.“TV Dinner” is a show devoted to “gross ’70s food” but also so much more. Leading into the exhibit is a tunnel stuffed with vintage collages and “jellied-meatloaf smell-o-vision.” There’s a “Harold and Maude” viewing station playing the classic 1971 film and a Richard Nixon-defacing wall – right now it appears someone has drawn a booger falling out of his nose.The 24 artists in the show were offered a blank canvas in the form of a wooden dinner tray. From there, they’ve really knocked it out of the park with various weird creations: ceramic meals that look so processed they could survive a nuclear apocalypse, say, or a laundry hamper-size...

California sues Huntington Beach over failure to follow housing laws in warning to other cities

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:10 GMT

In a warning signal to California cities failing to comply with recently beefed-up housing legislation, the state on Thursday announced it’s suing Huntington Beach for “thumbing their nose” at laws intended to help solve the state’s housing shortage.The lawsuit challenges the seaside Southern California city’s attempt to circumvent Senate Bill 9 — a newly enacted law that allows up to four units on lots in neighborhoods zoned for single-family homes.“Huntington Beach City Council has chosen to stifle affordable housing projects, infringe on the rights of property owners and knowingly violate state housing law,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said during a virtual news conference that included Gov. Gavin Newsom.The council on Feb. 21 banned the city from processing SB 9 development applications, as well as accessory dwelling units — small backyard or garage units also known as ADUs. The state is asking the court for a preliminary inju...

49ers gain whopping seven compensatory draft picks

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:10 GMT

SANTA CLARA — A river of compensatory draft picks rushed into the 49ers’ hands Thursday, replenishing their coffer for next month’s player-selection festivities.A trio of picks at the end of the third round — Nos. 99, 101 and 102 — highlighted the NFL-high seven compensatory picks distributed to the 49ers, by way of the NFL’s calculations factoring in free agency moves and minority-hiring incentives.The other compensatory picks are in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, with two in that last round.In total, the NFC runner-up 49ers now hold 11 draft picks, including a pair in both the fifth and seventh rounds, which they had prior to the comp-pick parade.In other 49ers’ news, they’ve re-signed Colton McKivitz to a two-year deal. He was slated to become a restricted free agent next week, and he could become their starting right tackle if Mike McGlinchey leaves as expected in free agency next week.The 49ers still lack first- and second-r...

Hugs and kisses at San Jose Mineta Airport’s new selfie spot

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:10 GMT

If you’ve ever been to an airport terminal — or just watched the beginning of “Love Actually” — you know a lot of affection takes place as people send loved ones on a trip or welcome them home. And that’s what makes San Jose Mineta International Airport the perfect home for a public art installation that’s all about hugs and kisses.Artist Laura Kimpton said she didn’t fully realize that until she and fellow artist Jeff Schomberg were overseeing the installation of “XO” outside the airport’s Terminal B.“When I put this up two months ago, I realized the airport was the one place that people kiss and hug the most,” Kimpton said at the piece’s dedication Thursday. “It was like ‘Whoa! This is so appropriate.’ ”San Jose Aviation Director John Aitken, left, artist Laura Kimpton, center, and San Jose Cultural Affairs Director Kerry Adams Hapner pose with “XO,” the art piec...

SF Giants vs. Brewers: Conforto’s return to the outfield, two-way player’s most impressive outing yet

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:10 GMT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Michael Conforto can hit.That much, if it was ever in doubt, was proven yet again Thursday in the first inning of the Giants’ Cactus League exhibition against the Milwaukee Brewers. Conforto launched the first strike he saw over the right field wall for his third home run in as many spring games.What’s in question is Conforto’s ability in the outfield following shoulder surgery last April. On Thursday, that was supposed to begin to yield answers, as Conforto roamed right field — or any position — for the first time since October 2021, before he suffered an offseason training accident last January that robbed him of his 2022 season.However, in six innings in right field, not a single ball went Conforto’s way.“I probably won’t get another game like that all year,” Conforto said. “Pretty good seats to watch the game.”It was a milestone nonetheless just to be standing on the outfield grass, the final step of an ar...

John Travolta at Sunday night’s Oscars could mean one thing

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:10 GMT

With the announcement that John Travolta joins Harrison Ford, Halle Berry, Cara Delevingne, Kate Hudson, Pedro Pascal and other stars to present at the 95th Academy Awards Sunday night, Oscars fans have to be wondering if the “Grease” star will delight the world with another “Adele Dazeem” moment.Travolta delivered one of the biggest goofs in modern Oscars history in 2014 when he came on stage to introduce one of the best original song nominees. The song was “Let It Go,” from the hit animated movie “Frozen.” Its star, Idina Menzel, was set to perform.But Travolta had some trouble saying her name in his introduction of the “gorgeously empowering” song “Let It Go.”  Apparently unable to read the teleprompter. Travolta announced that the performer was a “wickedly talented” person with the name “Adele Dazeem.” People watching from home broke out in laugher, while the audience at the show probably stiffed...