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Maui surveys the burned wreckage caused by the deadliest U.S. wildfire in years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:48 GMT

The search of the wildfire wreckage on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Thursday revealed a wasteland of burned out homes and obliterated communities as firefighters battled the stubborn blaze that has already claimed 36 lives, making it the deadliest in the U.S. in recent years.Fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane, the fire started Tuesday and took the island by surprise, racing through parched growth and neighborhoods in the historic town of Lahaina, a tourist destination that dates to the 1700s and is the biggest community on the island's west side.Maui County said late Wednesday that at least 36 people had died, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire since the 2018 Camp Fire in California, which killed at least 85 people and laid waste to the town of Paradise. The Hawaii toll could rise, though, as rescuers reach parts of the island that had been unreachable due to ongoing fires or obstructions. Officials said earlier Wednesday that 271 structures had be...

3 teens burned down small structure in Riverside County, officials say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:48 GMT

Three juveniles are in custody after allegedly setting a small structure on fire in Eastvale Wednesday night, officials said.The fire broke out around 7:20 p.m. in the 7600 block of Soaring Bird Court.Responding deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office found the structure engulfed in flames and the suspects were seen running from the scene.Cal Fire firefighters responded and put out the flames, while deputies determined the structure was completely charred and was deemed a total loss.The suspects were taken into custody and booked into juvenile hall on suspicion of arson and conspiracy to commit arson, officials said.No further details about the incident were released.

Jeffrey Spiekerman Killed, Darcy Spiekerman Hurt in Single-Car Crash on State Route 12 [Naches, WA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:48 GMT

Driver Dead, Passenger Hospitalized after Solo-Car Collision near Mile Post 167NACHES, WA (August 10, 2023) – Monday, Jeffrey Spiekerman was killed and Darcy Spiekerman sustained injuries in a single-car crash on State Route 12.Police responded to the scene around 2:35 p.m., near milepost 167.According to reports, Jeffrey was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado that was pulling a trailer east on the highway. Officers say he was attempting to pass multiple other vehicles when he lost control and veered off the road.Medics arrived and pronounced 58-year-old James Spiekerman, of Vancouver dead at the scene. Meanwhile, paramedics transported Darcy, also of Vancouver to Multicare Yakima Memorial Hospital in fair condition.Following preliminary duties, officers say both occupants were wearing their seat belts. The incident was attributed to improper passing.The Sweet James team sends their sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jeffrey Spiekerman. Their thoughts are with the...

Anthony Branden Sipes Killed in Bicycle Hit-and-Run Crash on 22nd Street [Tucson, AZ]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:48 GMT

46-Year-Old Bicyclist Fatally Struck and Killed by Reckless DriverTUCSON, AZ (August 10, 2023) – Early Thursday morning, a hit-and-run crash killed 46-year-old cyclist Anthony Branden Sipes.The incident happened on August 3rd, at around 3:30 a.m., in the 6000 block of East 22nd Street, near South Alamo Avenue.According to reports, Sipes was riding his bicycle on eastbound 22nd Street when a vehicle rear-ended him. The impact of the collision caused Sipes to sustain serious injuries.Emergency crews arrived shortly after the collision and performed life-saving efforts on the bicyclist. However, they were unsuccessful and officials pronounced 46-year-old Anthony Braden Sipes dead, due to the extent of his injuries.Following the collision, the involved driver fled the scene without rendering aid to the victim. Police are still looking for them.In an effort to find the suspect, the police released a possible description of the suspect’s vehicle as a 2008-2014 Cadillac CTS sed...

Charlotte La Francis Killed in Two-Car Crash near 12th Street [Phoenix, AZ]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:48 GMT

47-Year-Old Driver Dies after Two-Car Crash on Hatcher RoadPHOENIX, AZ (August 10, 2023) – Wednesday afternoon, a reckless crash near 12th Street claimed the life of Charlotte La Francis.The incident happened on August 2nd, just before 4:00 p.m., near 12th Street and Hatcher Road.According to reports, La Francis was headed northbound on 12th Street when she ran a red light and was struck by a vehicle headed west on Hatcher Road.Emergency crews arrived at the site of the collision shortly after. They transported La Francis to a local hospital for treatment.At the hospital, La Francis succumbed to her injuries. Officials pronounced 47-year-old Charlotte La Francis dead, due to the extent of her injuries.Furthermore, no other injuries were reported and the crash is still under investigation.In this sorrowful time, the Sweet James team would like to extend their heartfelt condolences to the family of Charlotte La Francis.Losing a loved one in a car crash can come with a heavy burd...

High-profile Downtown Walnut Creek retail and dining center lands buyer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:48 GMT

WALNUT CREEK — A restaurant and retail complex in downtown Walnut Creek has been bought in a deal that shows investors still thirst for commercial properties in prime locations.Midtown Plaza, a complex at a high-profile downtown Walnut Creek site, has been bought by an affiliate whose controlling entity is the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association, according to documents on file with Contra Costa County and the State of California.The buyer, in separate transactions, paid a combined total of $16.1 million for Midtown Plaza, a retail and restaurant, as well as two adjacent properties, grant deeds filed on July 25 with the Contra Costa County Recorder’s Office show.1422 North California Boulevard in downtown Walnut Creek. (Google Maps)The Colorado employee pension group paid $12.35 million for Midtown Plaza, which has addresses ranging from 1410 through 1444 North California Boulevard in Walnut Creek.In a separate transaction, also on July 25, the Co...

Niger coup leaders reportedly threaten to kill president

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:48 GMT

By Sam Mednick and Chinedu Asadu | Associated PressNIAMEY, Niger — Niger’s junta told a top U.S. diplomat that they would kill deposed President Mohamed Bazoum if neighboring countries attempted any military intervention to restore his rule, two Western officials told The Associated Press.They spoke to the AP shortly before the West African bloc ECOWAS said it had directed the deployment of a “standby force” to restore democracy in Niger, without giving details about its make-up, location or proposed date of deployment.Representatives of the junta told U.S. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland of the threat to Bazoum during her visit to the country this week, a Western military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.A U.S. official confirmed that account, also speaking on condition of anonymity, because they were not authorized to speak to the media.Bazoum, who was deposed on July 26, says he is being held ...

San Jose: Family identifies 6-year-old victim of double stabbing that also killed great-grandmother

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:48 GMT

SAN JOSE — A 6-year-old boy who died alongside his great-grandmother in a double stabbing at their apartment last week — with the killer still being sought — has been identified by family members as Jordan Cam Walker.Jordan was named in a GoFundMe page established Tuesday by his family to help cover funeral expenses, as written by Morian Walker, who is listed as the fundraising organizer.“With heavy hearts, we must come to celebrate the life of Jordan Cam Walker, a beloved 6-year-old child who loved the outdoors, swimming, playing baseball, and basketball. Jordan touched the lives of many in his community,” the page reads. “Jordan was taken from us way too soon, and his absence leaves a void that cannot be filled. During his short time with us, Jordan brought joy, laughter, and love to many people.”The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office has not officially released names of the stabbing victims, but a source familiar with the inve...

‘All of the dream’: How Eurodance parody ‘Planet of the Bass’ became the song of the summer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:48 GMT

By Scottie Andrew | CNN“EVERYBODY MOOOOOVEMENT!” Eurodance maybe wasn’t due for a comeback for another few decades. But “Planet of the Bass,” a Eurodance parody track that’s become a TikTok hit and a legitimate banger in its own right, makes a compelling case for a return to a more innocent, synth-heavy time.It’s an uplifting song about glad rhythms and all of the dream. About a world where bass reigns supreme and its people are clapping the hands. About the mysteries of life — “how does it mean?” — and how to survive when danger and dance rule all.It’s nonsense. It’s comedy gold. And somehow, unironically, it’s become the song of the summer in a season devoid of the kinds of Top 40 hits that typically fill that slot. (Billie Eilish’s “Barbie” weepie “What Was I Made For,” anyone?) Oh, and “Planet of the Bass” hasn’t even been officially released on streaming services yet, but its mini music videos have been viewed millions of times across TikTok, X (formerly known as Twitter) and I...

Bay Area indie bookstores to celebrate Bookstore Romance Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:48 GMT

Love reading about love? Then mark your calendar for Aug. 19. That’s Bookstore Romance Day, when about a dozen bookstores around the Bay Area will join a national celebration of the romance novel.Bookstore Romance Day, launched in 2019, is aimed at helping independent bookstores connect with romance readers and writers — and it’s coming to independent bookstores across the U.S.This year’s celebration brings a series of bookish events for Bay Area romance readers, including a conversation with two authors at Books Inc. in Campbell, discounts on romance novels at Pegasus Books in Oakland and Berkeley and a queer rom-com book and wine pairing in Mountain View.Campbell’s Books, Inc. will host a discussion between romance authors Evie Blum and Lexie Sloane on Aug. 19. Blum is the author of “Ship It,” a romance novel set at a Silicon Valley start-up. Sloane’s latest, “Broken Summit,” is a romance set during a mountain getaway. Th...