DA's office awarded grant to investigate, prosecute workers' compensation fraud

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 01:48:07 GMT

DA's office awarded grant to investigate, prosecute workers' compensation fraud (BCN) -- The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office will be more capable to investigate workers' compensation insurance fraud after it was awarded a $339,173 grant by the California Department of Insurance. The funding for the grant, which is slated for fiscal year 2023-2024, comes from California employers who are legally required to be insured or self-insured, the district attorney's office said in a statement Friday. Workers' compensation insurance fraud occurs when employees exaggerate or fabricate injuries or when white-collar criminals entice, pay, and conspire with others and create false or exaggerated claims, over-treating, and over-prescribing harmful and addictive drugs. 14 people involved in fight in San Rafael street "Also, employers may ask injured workers not to file legitimate claims. Insurance companies pick up the tab, passing the cost onto policyholders, taxpayers, and the public," the district attorney's office explained. The grant will focus on...

One killed in East Palo Alto hit-and-run crash

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 01:48:07 GMT

One killed in East Palo Alto hit-and-run crash (KRON) -- A man was killed in a hit-and-run crash in East Palo Alto on Friday night, police said. The crash happened at about 10:30 p.m. on the 1400 block of Kavanaugh Drive. The East Palo Alto Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. There is currently no information on the identity of possible suspects. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has information to contact EPAPD using one of the following methods: Send an anonymous email to [email protected] an anonymous text from your cell phone to (650) 409-6792Leave an anonymous voice mail by calling (650) 409-6792"East Palo Alto Police are diligently working to gather evidence and identify potential witnesses who may have vital information about the incident," EPAPD said.Bay City News contributed to this report.

County officials warn residents of scam targeting homeowners

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 01:48:07 GMT

County officials warn residents of scam targeting homeowners (BCN) -- Contra Costa county officials on Friday warned residents of a new scam targeting homeowners. Property owners throughout the county have reportedly received fraudulent notices in the mail which appear to be official county documents informing them of a service to have their property taxes lowered. The scam mailers ask the recipient to pay a $40 filing fee and a contingent fee of 30% of any future tax savings from filing a reassessment application. 14 people involved in fight in San Rafael street According to the California Attorney General's office, these mailers often use official-sounding names like "Tax Reassessment" or "Tax Adjusters" and sometimes threaten the recipient with late fees if money is not sent by a certain date. Contra Costa County does not charge for tax reassessments and property owners can file a free form through the County Assessor's Office, county officials said. Authorities urge residents to avoid paying any money for services they d...

US faces Portugal with Women’s World Cup future still up in the air

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 01:48:07 GMT

US faces Portugal with Women’s World Cup future still up in the air AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The United States heads into its final group match at the Women’s World Cup with questions swirling about the team’s tactics. U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski started the same lineup against Netherlands on Thursday that he rolled out for the opening match against Vietnam. While it was enough for the United States to beat the Vietnamese 3-0, it was less successful against the stronger Dutch, and the Americans settled for a 1-1 draw. That lineup had never played together before the World Cup. The tie meant that the United States will likely need a more decisive outcome on Tuesday against Portugal to finish atop Group E and secure a favorable path in the knockout round. Going into the game, advancing out of the group wasn’t a given for the two-time defending World Cup champions. In addition to the same starters, Andonovski made just one substitution in the game against the Dutch, bringing on midfielder Rose Lavelle to start the second half. Bu...

Angels outfielder Taylor Ward leaves game after being hit in head by Alek Manoah’s pitch

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 01:48:07 GMT

Angels outfielder Taylor Ward leaves game after being hit in head by Alek Manoah’s pitch TORONTO (AP) — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward was hit in the head by a pitch from Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah in the fifth inning Saturday.Batting with the bases loaded in the Angels’ 6-1 loss, Ward was hit by a 2-0 pitch clocked at 91 mph. The ball appeared to strike Ward next to his next left eye, knocking off his batting helmet.Plate umpire Andy Fletcher motioned to the Angels’ dugout for the trainer as Ward went down with blood running down his face.Manoah put his hands on his head as he stood on the mound. It was the second hit batter of the game for Manoah, who hit Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani on the left foot in the first.Angels trainers rushed to the plate and held a towel to Ward’s face. After a couple of minutes, Ward got to his feet and left the field on a cart. His left eye appeared to be swollen shut.Andrew Velazquez ran for Ward, who drove in the first run of the game. Velazquez went to shortstop and Luis Rengifo, who scored on t...

Wisconsin driver Sam Mayer wins on home-state track for 1st Xfinity Series victory

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 01:48:07 GMT

Wisconsin driver Sam Mayer wins on home-state track for 1st Xfinity Series victory ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin driver Sam Mayer won on his home-state track for his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory, pulling ahead for good in the next-to-last lap of a wild second overtime session Saturday.Mayer won by 0.368 seconds over Parker Kligerman on the sprawling 14-turn, 4.084-mile road course. They were followed in order by Austin Hill, Sage Karam and Riley Herbst. Justin Allgaier was 18th after leading most of the way.The race included eight caution flags, tying a track record. The final restart occurred during a second overtime session and followed a red flag to clean up oil on the track.Allgaier had taken the lead around the sixth lap of the scheduled 45-lap race and stayed in front through all those restarts. But everything went haywire on the last one.Karam passed Allgaier from his right, the first of multiple lead change in the second-to-last lap. Kligerman also led at one point before Mayer pulled ahead for good.Mayer is from Franklin, Wisconsin, ab...

NASCAR-Xfinity Road America 180 Results

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 01:48:07 GMT

NASCAR-Xfinity Road America 180 Results SaturdayAt Road AmericaElkhart Lake, Wis.Lap length: 4.05 miles(Start position in parentheses)1. (5) Sam Mayer, Chevrolet, 49 laps, 42 points.2. (17) Parker Kligerman, Chevrolet, 49, 35.3. (14) Austin Hill, Chevrolet, 49, 37.4. (6) Sage Karam, Toyota, 49, 39.5. (4) Riley Herbst, Ford, 49, 37.6. (13) Josh Berry, Chevrolet, 49, 31.7. (9) Kaz Grala, Toyota, 49, 34.8. (11) Josh Bilicki, Chevrolet, 49, 29.9. (1) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 49, 0.10. (33) Brandon Jones, Chevrolet, 49, 27.11. (32) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet, 49, 26.12. (19) Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 49, 25.13. (34) Ryan Sieg, Ford, 49, 24.14. (20) Parker Retzlaff, Chevrolet, 49, 23.15. (26) Brennan Poole, Chevrolet, 49, 22.16. (23) Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 49, 21.17. (25) Blaine Perkins, Chevrolet, 49, 20.18. (3) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 49, 39.19. (21) Brad Perez, Chevrolet, 49, 18.20. (38) Kyle Weatherman, Chevrolet, 49, 17.21. (18) Josh Williams, Chevrolet, 49, 16.22. (29) Patrick Emerling, Chevrolet, 49, 15.23. (35) J...

Kirk hits 2 home runs, Espinal also homers as Blue Jays control Ohtani, beat Angels 6-1

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 01:48:07 GMT

Kirk hits 2 home runs, Espinal also homers as Blue Jays control Ohtani, beat Angels 6-1 TORONTO (AP) — Alejandro Kirk hit two home runs, Santiago Espinal added a two-run homer and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-1 on Saturday.Kirk hit a leadoff homer against former Blue Jays left-hander Aaron Loup in the seventh inning, then hit a two-run shot off right-hander Jaime Barria in the eighth. It was Kirk’s first multihomer game of the season and the fourth of his career.Toronto won for the 14th time in 20 games and moved to a season-best 13 games above .500 at 59-46. The Blue Jays are 25-11 when they hit two or more home runs.The Angels, who began the day four games behind the Blue Jays in the AL wild card race, lost their second straight after winning the previous four. Los Angeles is 54-51.Shohei Ohtani started for the Angels after leaving Friday’s game in the ninth because of cramps in both legs. Ohtani was hit on the left foot by a pitch in the first inning, doubled in the third, and was intentionally walked in both the fifth and sixth innings.Ohtani...

Cejka leads Senior British Open despite his worst round so far

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 01:48:07 GMT

Cejka leads Senior British Open despite his worst round so far BRIDGEND, Wales (AP) — Alex Cejka posted his worst score so far at the Senior British Open in windy conditions to take a one-shot lead into the final round after no player went under-par Saturday at Royal Porthcawl.The German hit a 3-over 74 in the third round to follow a par-71 and an opening 3-under 68.“It was a tough day for everybody,” said Cejka, who is chasing his third senior major championship title.Cejka is at even-par overall and has a one-stroke lead over four players tied for second on 1 over, including overnight leader Steven Alker (76), Padraig Harrington (71), Vijay Singh (73) and Phillip Archer (71). Alker aced the par-3 15th with a 7-iron.“Sometimes hole-in-ones are not good shots and go in but that was a good shot,” Alker said.Bernhard Langer, who won the last time the Senior British Open was held at Royal Porthcawl in 2017, carded a 75 to tie for 11th at 4 over.Defending champion Darren Clarke (73) is tied for 32nd. The tournament is the last of five majors on the...

Douglas County homicide victim's family speaks out 

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 01:48:07 GMT

Douglas County homicide victim's family speaks out  HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (KDVR) -- Outside the Sonesta Hotel in Park Meadows, a memorial garden to Colin Grice is being constructed. Grice, a 57-year-old hotel manager, was found shot to death in his Highlands Ranch home last week.His wife, 55-year-old Victorine Grice was found dead inside her Douglas County jail cell Friday morning. Grice had been facing murder charges, and the cause of her death remains under investigation. Colin Grice's family says it's been a whirlwind of a week, beginning with a call that he had been killed. Colorado anti-domestic violence group urges victims to reach out for help "I was just dumbfounded, honestly," his sister Aden Beavers said. "Total shock. Total shock."But the family said it was in for another surprise, reading court documents for Victorine Grice.Those documents show Grice told 911 dispatchers, "My husband attacked me. Please help me. I think he's dead." Victorine later told dispatchers, "I think he's dead. I shot him. He's a monst...