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Tens of millions of city funds left unused in accounts, Los Angeles Controller says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:59 GMT

An analysis by the Los Angeles City Controller's Office has found more than $51 million worth of unused "idle funds" sitting in the city's various special funds with many having gone untouched for several years.Controller Kenneth Mejia released a 63-page financial report on Friday, announcing that $51 million in idle funds were identified across the more than 200 special funds in the city's treasury.There are 661 different special funds that the city owns with more than $5.43 billion between them, Mejia said. Each department oversees its own funds with each fund having its own set of unique rules. If cash remains in the funds for multiple years, it's considered by the city to be idle.In the analysis conducted by the controller's office, 203 of those funds were found to have had no activity for at least two years, with 62 of them going untouched for more than a decade. Black people disproportionately arrested for violating camping ordinance: report Millions of dollars which were c...

Young cancer patient experiences exclusive World of Barbie

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:59 GMT

Soon-to-be sixth grader Grace Garza was in for a special surprise when she got to experience the World of Barbie VIP experience during her time in the hospital while battling cancer. During DHR Health Children’s Hospital’s Hispanic Heritage Month, Starlight Children’s Foundation partnered with Mattel to provide an exclusive World of Barbie VIP experience to 11-year-old Garza from Texas, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age nine. Throughout her cancer treatment journey, Garza has had to spend a lot of time in the hospital, having missed school days and spending time with family and friends. Rachel Garza, Grace’s mother, says she’s also had to endure a lot of pain throughout the process, going through lumbar punctures and chemotherapy. With the help of Mattel and Starlight Children’s Foundation, Garza was able to enjoy a private VIP experience in the 20,000 square foot World of Barbie, one of her favorite toys. Within the immersive experience, Garz...

Southern California spots named among Yelp's top 100 ice cream shops for 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:59 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The rankings are in, and an ice cream parlor in Nebraska has been named the best in the US and Canada for 2023, according to Yelp's annual Top 100 list.The business review site looked at the total volume and ratings of reviews, among other factors, between Jan. 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023 to determine the top shops.Coneflower Creamery in Omaha, Nebraska took the top prize this year, according to Yelp. Owned by two pastry chefs, the hot summer delicacies include "farm-to-cone" flavors such as Sun-Ripened Strawberry and Sweet Corn. Why are teens pretending to die from McDonald’s Grimace Shake? As for what ice cream lovers are talking about on the app, several trends emerged over the past year, according to Yelp. Ube, a yam native to Southeast Asia, has been a hot favorite thanks to the deep purple color it gives ice cream and other sweets. Vegan flavors are also enjoying a moment as well, as evidenced by the artisanal flavors featured at Coneflower Creamery. Paletas, the ...

San Jose: Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run collision

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:59 GMT

SAN JOSE – A pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run collision Friday afternoon in San Jose, police said.The collision was reported around 2:25 p.m. in the area of Story and South White roads, according to the San Jose Police Department.Police initially said the victim, a woman, suffered major injuries, but she later died.The woman’s death marked the 23rd fatal collision and 24th traffic fatality of the year on city streets. At this time last year, San Jose police had investigated 38 traffic fatalities.Additional details about the crash, including a description of the suspect and their vehicle, were not immediately available.South White Road was closed between Story Road and Buckner Drive for an investigation.Anyone with information related to the case can contact Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or svcrimestoppers.org.Units are currently on scene in the area of Story Rd and S. White Rd investigating a major injury hit and run collision involving an adult pedestrian. Tra...

Three-bedroom home sells in Pleasanton for $1.7 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:59 GMT

414 Amaral Circle – Google Street ViewA house located in the 400 block of Amaral Circle in Pleasanton has new owners. The 1,842-square-foot property, built in 1952, was sold on June 2, 2023, for $1,680,000, or $912 per square foot. The layout of this single-story home consists of three bedrooms and one bath. In addition, the house comes with a carport. The property encompasses a generous 8,761 square feet of land.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:A 3,904-square-foot home on the 4200 block of Cabernet Court in Pleasanton sold in December 2022, for $2,345,000, a price per square foot of $601. The home has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.On Barbara Court, Pleasanton, in August 2022, a 1,947-square-foot home was sold for $1,615,000, a price per square foot of $829. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In June 2022, a 1,819-square-foot home on Bonita Avenue in Pleasanton sold for $1,875,000, a price per square foot of $1,031. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

The return of ‘Kung Fu Panda’: Pablo Sandoval pays visit to SF Giants

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:59 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants hosted a familiar face at Oracle Park on Friday.Pablo Sandoval, the beloved three-time World Series champion, paid a visit to his former team before their series opener against the Rockies. Wearing his weight’s worth in jewelry, a Gucci fanny pack and a white sweatshirt wrapped across his shoulders, Sandoval received a warm reception as soon as he walked into the home clubhouse.Sandoval’s first visit was to Wilmer Flores, before Joc Pederson summoned him over to the card table. Sandoval gave a playful tug on Pederson’s mop of bleach-blond hair before making his way over to Brandon Crawford’s locker, sharing some words not fit to print.“I’m glad Pablo’s here, man,” said manager Gabe Kapler, who shared a pregame panda hug outside the dugout.Sandoval, 36, last played in Major League Baseball with the Braves in 2021. He has continued his career in the Mexican League last year and in the Puerto Rican Winter League...

Unhoused woman dies after San Jose hit-and-run: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:59 GMT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) -- First responders are on the scene of a fatal hit-and-run crash in the area of Story Road and South White Road in San Jose, according to the San Jose Police Department. SJPD units are investigating the crash which involved a female adult pedestrian. Suspect who lit man on fire in Berkeley arrested, charged with attempted murder The woman suffered injuries from the crash and died at the scene, police said. Police described the victim as an unhoused woman who was pushing a shopping cart. SJPD said she was walking outside of the crosswalk when she was hit by the vehicle.After being hit by the suspect vehicle, the woman was hit again. Another vehicle struck the victim when she was already down on the ground, according to SJPD. The driver of that vehicle remained at the scene to cooperate with the police investigation. The suspect vehicle was going on the southbound lanes of White Road. That driver is wanted for a felony hit-and-run, SJPD said. Traffic will b...

Police: Rifle-wielding man critical after officer-involved shooting in Miami

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:59 GMT

Rescue crews rushed a man to the hospital after what police described as an officer-involved shooting in Miami.City of Miami Police and Fire Rescue responded to the scene of the incident in the area of Northeast 79th Street and Tenth Avenue, Friday night.According to investigators, they received a call about a man who was shooting a firearm into the air.Responding officers arrived to find a subject armed with an assault rifle outside of a car.“Units arrived shortly thereafter. They were able to make contact with the individual,” said Miami Police Chief Manny Morales.At some point, detectives said, an officer discharged his firearm, striking the subject in the chest and stomach area.Paramedics transported the subject to Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition.Cameras showed first responders wheeling the patient into the hospital. One paramedic was seen giving oxygen to the injured man.Investigators said the subject lives near where he was shot, along the 7800 block of N...

Where’s Pepe? Video shows woman snatching marmoset monkey from SW Miami-Dade pet store

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:59 GMT

The search is on for a stolen marmoset monkey and the woman who was caught on video snatching the animal from a family-owned pet store in Southwest Miami-Dade.Surveillance video captured the theft at Robert’s Pet Shop along Packing House Road in Southwest Miami-Dade, Friday afternoon.The store’s owner, Lazaro Sardinas, said the monkey, Pepe, was taken from his cage.“We see her coming over, [reaching into the cage], grabbing the monkey and just walking straight out the front door with it,” he said. “It’s a shame.”Pepe, who is 5 weeks old, weighs in at a bit over two ounces and was always accompanied by his brother Juan.“This is during broad daylight,” said Sardinas.The business owner said he and his family have owned the store since 1989. They’re worried about Pepe’s health because he is on a strict and special diet, and it’s critical that he is found and fed properly.As for Juan, he was all alone in his cage aft...

3 TSA agents arrested, accused of stealing cash from travelers at MIA

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:59 GMT

Three Transportation Security Administration agents who work at Miami International Airport were arrested on fraud charges.According to investigators, Elizabeth Fuster, Josue Gonzalez and Labarrius Williams worked together to steal cash from passengers’ purses and bags while they were being screened at the airport, June 29.The agents were removed after a TSA employee followed up on a complaint, watched surveillance video and shared findings with the police, who took immediate action and placed them under arrest on Thursday.In a statement, a TSA spokesperson wrote, “The Transportation Security Administration holds its Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to the highest professional and ethical standards and has no tolerance for misconduct in the workplace. We actively and aggressively investigated these allegations of misconduct and presented our findings to [Miami-Dade Police], and are working closely with them. Any employee who fails to meet our fundamental ethical s...