Fall colors are starting to peak in California

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:01:59 GMT

Fall colors are starting to peak in California While California’s fall colors might not compare favorably to New England or other parts of North America where leaf-peeping is an annual tradition, there are still plenty of great places to see them.This updated forecast map from SmokyMountains.com shows fall foliage should be starting to pop across the Golden State, including in the San Francisco Bay Area, parts of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and even sections of Southern California.A map showing forecasted fall colors across the U.S. for the week of Oct. 2, 2023. (smokymountains.com)Cuyamaca Rancho State Park northeast of San Diego recently shared photos and video on social media of its changing oak leaves, albeit with a warning.“Poison oak looks beautiful at this time of year. Leaves of three (and red) let them be,” park rangers posted. “Staying on the trails is the best way to avoid the itchy beauty.”A close-up photo of poison oak at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park in California. (Cuyamaca Rancho State Park)Mount San Jacinto State P...

Danielle Abidor Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash on San Francisquito Canyon Road [Leona Valley, CA]

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:01:59 GMT

Danielle Abidor Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash on San Francisquito Canyon Road [Leona Valley, CA] Motorcycle Versus Car Collision near Runner Road Kills 23-Year-Old RiderLEONA VALLEY, CA (October 4, 2023) – Late Sunday night, Danielle Abidor was fatally injured in a motorcycle crash on San Francisquito Canyon Road.The deadly collision happened around 11:23 p.m. along San Francisquito Canyon Road, just north of Power Plant 1 near Runner Road.Based on the CHP report, a 2023 Kawasaki motorcycle attempted to pass a vehicle and crossed the double yellow lines.As a result, the rider collided head-on with a northbound 2015 Honda, ejecting the rider in the process.The first responders declared the motorcyclist, 23-year-old Danielle Abidor of Leona Valley, dead at the scene.Meanwhile, paramedics transported the 32-year-old female driver of the Honda to Antelope Valley Hospital for moderate injuries.Moreover, both directions of the roadway were temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties.Those with further information regarding the San Francisquito Canyon Road ...

Tiffany Amber Stevens Pronounced Dead after Pedestrian Crash on Roberts Lane [Oildale, CA]

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:01:59 GMT

Tiffany Amber Stevens Pronounced Dead after Pedestrian Crash on Roberts Lane [Oildale, CA] 30-Year-Old Bakersfield Woman Dies in Pedestrian-Auto Collision near MacArthur DriveOILDALE, CA (October 4, 2023) – Police identified 30-year-old Tiffany Amber Stevens as the victim of a fatal pedestrian accident on Roberts Lane.The deadly crash happened around 9:29 p.m. in the area of Roberts Lane, just west of MacArthur Drive.Investigators said that Stevens was walking in a northerly direction outside the crosswalk and stopped directly into the path of a westbound 2007 Toyota.As a result, the front left of the Toyota hit Stevens and sent her to the no. 2 traffic lane of Roberts Lane. Subsequently, she was struck by a 2009 BMW traveling in the same direction behind the Toyota.Both drivers remained at the site of the crash and cooperated with the authorities.The Kern County Sheriff’s Office declared Tiffany Amber Stevens of Bakersfield dead at the scene.At this time, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an autopsy of Stevens to confirm the manner of death.Those with ...

A three-day fall sizzle is expected to warm the Bay Area

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:01:59 GMT

A three-day fall sizzle is expected to warm the Bay Area The Bay Area will receive a reminder beginning Thursday that winter is still quite a bit off and summer is not as far in the rearview mirror as it may seem.“People will gradually start to realize Wednesday that it’s a bit hotter,” National Weather Service meteorologist Sarah McCorkle said. “They’ll really feel it Thursday and Friday.”That said, the burn will be a relatively mild one compared with a summer sizzle. Temperatures in the hottest spots of the region are expected to get no higher than 96 degrees. Those spots are expected to include San Jose, Livermore and Concord, forecasters said. None of the temperatures were expected to break a heat record.Related ArticlesWeather | ‘Miracle’ water year in California: Rain, snow put state’s reservoirs at 128% of historical average Weather | Nationwide emergency alert test set for this morning. Here’s when you’ll get it on your phone Weather | Yes, ...

Trump in court as accountant takes stand in NY fraud trial

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:01:59 GMT

Trump in court as accountant takes stand in NY fraud trial By Michael R. Sisak, Bobby Caina Calvan and Jennifer Peltz | Associated PressNEW YORK — On notice to mind his out-of-court commentary, former President Donald Trump returned to his New York civil fraud trial Wednesday as his lawyers questioned an accountant who prepared financial statements at the heart of the case.New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit accuses Trump and his business of exaggerating his wealth in those statements, which went to banks, insurers and others.With accountant Donald Bender on the witness stand, state lawyers has sought to show that Trump and others at his company had full control over the preparation of the financial statements. Bender testified Tuesday that the Trump Organization didn’t always supply all the information needed to produce the documents.Trump denies any wrongdoing, and his defense continued Wednesday to fault Bender for any shortcomings in the statements. Attorney Jesus M. Suarez pointed out that the accounting firm t...

Facing criticism, feds award first maternal health grant to a predominantly Black rural area

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:01:59 GMT

Facing criticism, feds award first maternal health grant to a predominantly Black rural area By Sarah Jane Tribble, KFF Health NewsA federal program to combat the alarming rates of rural women dying from pregnancy complications has marked a first: It’s supporting an organization that serves predominantly Black counties in the Deep South.The news came Sept. 27, three months after KFF Health News’ reporting raised questions about why a federal Health Resources and Services Administration program targeting rural maternal mortality hadn’t sent a grant to serve mothers in majority-Black rural communities.Non-Hispanic Black women — regardless of income or education level — die of pregnancy-related causes at nearly three times the rate of non-Hispanic white women.The Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health in Madison, Mississippi, was one of two winners in the latest round of an initiative administered by HRSA. Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, New Hampshire, was the other winner, according to an agency announcement.“Very happy to see Mississippi,” said Peiyin ...

New Medicare Advantage plans tailor offerings to Asian Americans, Latinos and LGBTQ+

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:01:59 GMT

New Medicare Advantage plans tailor offerings to Asian Americans, Latinos and LGBTQ+ By Stephanie Stephens, KFF Health NewsAs Medicare Advantage continues to gain popularity among seniors, three Southern California companies are pioneering new types of plans that target cultural and ethnic communities with special offerings and native-language practitioners.Clever Care Health Plan, based in Huntington Beach, and Alignment Health, based in nearby Orange, both have plans aimed at Asian Americans, with extra benefits including coverage for Eastern medicines and treatments such as cupping and tui na massage. Alignment also has an offering targeting Latinos, while Long Beach-based SCAN Health Plan has a product aimed at the LGBTQ+ community. All of them have launched since 2020.While many Medicare Advantage providers target various communities with their advertising, this trio of companies appear to be among the first in the nation to create plans with provider networks and benefits designed for specific cultural cohorts. Medicare Advantage is typically cheaper than trad...

WNBA expected to approve Bay Area expansion this week

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:01:59 GMT

WNBA expected to approve Bay Area expansion this week The Bay Area is one step away from being awarded a WNBA team.The NBA Board of Governors is set to vote this week on the Warriors’ bid for a WNBA expansion team, according to league sources. All signs point to the vote being in favor of Warriors owner Joe Lacob, sources said.USA Today reported that a formal announcement could come as soon as Thursday, just four days before the WNBA Finals tip off between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces.The Bay Area would be adding a professional women’s basketball team just months after the National Women’s Soccer League announced expansion to the region, with Bay FC set to begin play at San Jose’s PayPal Park next summer.The WNBA team is expected to practice at the Warriors’ Oakland facility and play at Chase Center. With an announcement imminent, the team could be up and running in time for the 2025 season.The news comes a week after a report that the Warriors and WNBA were closing in on a deal, and a Warriors ...

San Ramon police use golf cart to arrest alleged fraudster on the links

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:01:59 GMT

San Ramon police use golf cart to arrest alleged fraudster on the links (KRON) -- A man who police said victimized golfers at a local golf course was arrested for fraud-related charges, the San Ramon Police Department announced Tuesday.One victim recently reported to police that they were promised high-end golf clubs from the suspect for $2,000 but were defrauded out of their money, San Ramon PD said. Investigators were able to identify the suspect and said he frequented local golf courses and played with people he would later victimize.(San Ramon PD)(San Ramon PD) New scam targets people who post lost pets on social media, officials warn San Ramon police officers located the suspect while he was at one of the courses and used a golf cart borrowed from the pro shop to visit him on the 8th hole. The suspect was taken into custody on the links for fraud-related charges as well as outstanding warrants for similar crimes in other counties, San Ramon PD said.

New scam targets people who post lost pets on social media, officials warn

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:01:59 GMT

New scam targets people who post lost pets on social media, officials warn (KRON) -- Scammers have been trying to extort money from people who have posted about their lost animals online by claiming to be an employee of Oakland Animal Services, the agency said Wednesday. OAS said a person who claims to be an employee is contacting people and telling them their lost animal has been found, but is severely injured.The unknown caller than reportedly tells people they must pay a large fee to cover the animal's medical bills. Thieves targeting drivers at gas stations, East Bay police agency warns "This is a scam. OAS would never ask for money over the phone," the agency said in a news release.Oakland Animal Services is asking that the community share this information to help prevent people from becoming victims of the scam. “We understand that anyone who has lost a pet is feeling especially stressed, making them so vulnerable to a cruel scam like this,” said Ann Dunn, Director of Oakland Animal Services.OAS said that if it were to contact someone about a lost ...