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Large housing development on track on former grazing land

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

New homes – some 440 of them – will soon sprout on a large swath of open space at Antioch’s southernmost edge.That’s only one part of the long-planned 1,177-home development – the largest single residential project in the city in nearly a decade. But on Tuesday, the council gave the green light for the design concepts and use permit of only the first of the three-phase project.Dubbed The Ranch, the Richland Communities’ phase 1 development was approved on a 4-to-1 vote, with Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker – who questioned the project’s lack of affordability – casting the sole “no” vote.Torres-Walker said the project was never meant for working-class people and “that’s unfortunate.”“I wish it would have been a more thoughtful development process,” she said.The Ranch has faced many challenges before being allowed to develop in what is known as the Sand Creek focus Area — 2,712 acres of rolling hills and flatland mainly occupied by grazing cattle and wildlife. Early on, envi...

Are the US malaria cases in Florida and Texas a cause for concern?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

By Katia Hetter | CNNThe US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert this week to clinicians that there are locally acquired cases of malaria in Florida and Texas, with four cases identified in Florida and one in Texas over the past two months. While thousands of Americans become sickened by malaria every year, the vast majority of cases are acquired outside of the United States. These cases represent the first time that malaria has been transmitted within the US in 20 years, according to the CDC.Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that leads to about 241 million infections worldwide every year, with 95% of cases in Africa in what’s known as the World Health Organization African Region. The disease is relatively rare in the US, and many readers have questions.What is malaria, and what are its symptoms? Can it be spread through casual contact? How is it diagnosed and treated? Are there vaccines available or other ways to prevent malaria? Why are there now cases in t...

NHL Draft: Why the Sharks should select their next great centerman at No. 4

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

The San Jose Sharks might have the opportunity to draft Russian winger Matvei Michkov – thought by some to be the second-most skilled player available — with their first pick in the opening round of today’s NHL Draft.Just don’t ask Mike Grier if he’s talked to Michkov face-to-face.Asked Tuesday if he had an opportunity to speak with the 18-year-old Michkov to help get to know him a bit better, the Sharks general manager wouldn’t answer, at least not directly.“We’ve already done all our meetings with the Russian players,” Grier said.Was the somewhat mysterious Michkov included in that group, Grier was asked.“We met with all of the Russian players that we wanted to meet with,” Grier reiterated.Grier was a bit more expansive when talking about centers Will Smith, born in Massachusetts, and Sweden’s Leo Carlsson, two players who would be at the very top of this year’s draft board – and ones from other years as well — if not for Bedard and Adam Fantilli (and Michk...

PetSmart to pay nearly $1.5M in California lawsuit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

(KRON) -- PetSmart has agreed to pay $1.46 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of overcharging customers, false advertising and unfair competition. SFMTA awarded $30M for zero-emission vehicles The lawsuit, originally filed by Santa Cruz County, includes other Bay Area counties such as Contra Costa, Sonoma, Alameda and Marin counties. San Diego, Los Angeles and Ventura counties are also a part of the lawsuit.“The law in California is clear: businesses must be accurate in charging for goods and services," said Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton. "For customers, it’s important to monitor items scanned at a register and scrutinize your receipts to make sure you are not being overcharged.”PetSmart will pay $1,250,000 in civil penalties, $100,000 in restitution to support consumer protection enforcement efforts and $110,000 for investigative costs accumulated by the counties, according to the DA. PetSmart must implement additional audit and price accura...

Stock market today: Wall Street pulls back from its rally a day before

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are pulling back Wednesday from Wall Street’s rally a day before.The S&P 500 was 0.3% lower in early trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 111 points, or 0.3%, at 33,815, as of 9:45 a.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.3% lower.General Mills fell to one of the market’s largest drops after the maker of Cheerios and Haagen-Dazs reported weaker revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It sank 4.7% despite reporting stronger profit than expected and giving a forecast for upcoming results that was close to Wall Street’s.Stocks of several chipmakers were heavy weights on the market, including a 2.4% drop for Nvidia and a 2.3% fall for Advanced Micro Devices. They have been at the center of a frenzy around artificial-intelligence technology, with hopes that it could lead to monumental profits.But a report from the Wall Street Journal said the U.S. government is considering restrictions on exports of AI chips to Chin...

5 takeaways from AP’s reporting on Pell Grants for prisoners getting college degrees

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

The Associated Press visited a California prison for a graduation ceremony last month, as dozens of prisoners received college degrees, high school diplomas and vocational certificates earned while they served time.Thousands of prisoners throughout the United States get their college degrees behind bars, most of them paid for by the federal Pell Grant program, which offers the neediest undergraduates tuition aid that they don’t have to repay. That program is about to expand exponentially next month, giving tens of thousands more students behind bars financial aid per year.Here are the key takeaways from the AP’s reporting:HOW DO COLLEGE PROGRAMS BEHIND BARS HELP PRISONS OVERALL?Studies have shown that taking any kind of courses while behind bars results in a 43% less likelihood that a former prisoner will commit more crime and return to prison. Advocates also say college and other rehabilitative programming improve safety in the prisons for staff and the incarcerated populatio...

Today in Sports – Brazil becomes the 1st team to win the World Cup outside its continent

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

June 291906 — Alex Smith shoots a record 295 to beat brother Willie in the U.S. Open. Alex shoots a 295 at Onwentsia Club Ill.1933 — Primo Carnera knocks out Jack Sharkey in the sixth round at the Long Island City Bowl to win the world heavyweight title.1947 — Betty Jameson wins the U.S. Women’s Open by six strokes over amateurs Sally Sessions and Rolly Riley.1952 — Louise Suggs beats Betty Jameson and Marlene Bauer by seven strokes to win the U.S. Women’s Open.1956 — Charles Dumas becomes the first high jumper to clear 7 feet, jumping 7 feet, 5-8 inches in the U.S. Olympic trials at Los Angeles.1957 — Jackie Pung loses the U.S. Women’s Open when she turns in an incorrect scorecard. Betsy Rawls is declared the winner.1958 — Brazil, led by Pele, beats Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm to become the first team to win the World Cup outside its continent. The 17-year-old, coming off a hat-trick in Brazil’s 5-2 semifinal victory over France, scores twice in the final. Pele’s first and memorable go...

Sports on TV for July 3 – 9

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

Adv01(All times Eastern)Schedule subject to change and/or blackoutsMonday, July 3CYCLING8 a.m.USA — UCI: The Tour de France, Stage 3, 115 miles, Amorebieta-Etxano, Spain to Bayonne, France2 a.m. (Tuesday)USA — UCI: The Tour de France, Stage 3, 115 miles, Amorebieta-Etxano, Spain to Bayonne, France (Taped)MLB BASEBALL6 p.m.FS1 — Washington at Cincinnati9:30 p.m.FS1 — LA Angels at San DiegoNBA BASKETBALL6 p.m.ESPN2 — Summer League: TBA8 p.m.ESPN — Summer League: TBA10 p.m.ESPN — Summer League: TBATENNIS6 a.m.ESPN — ATP/WTA: Wimbledon, First Round, London1 p.m.ESPN — ATP/WTA: Wimbledon, First Round, London6 a.m. (Tuesday)ESPN — ATP/WTA: Wimbledon, First Round, London _____Tuesday, July 4CYCLING8 a.m.USA — UCI: The Tour de France, Stage 4, 113 miles, Dax to Nogaro, France2 a.m. (Wednesday)USA — UCI: The Tour de France, Stage 4, 113 miles, Dax to Nogaro, France (Taped)MLB BASEBALL6:30 p.m.TBS — LA Angels at San DiegoSOCCER (MEN’S)6:30 p.m.FS1 — CONCACAF Gold Cup Group Stage: Canada vs. C...

Homestead man arrested for stealing construction tools valued at over $1,800

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

A 24-year-old Homestead resident was taken into custody following allegations of stealing construction tools with a total worth exceeding $1,800.Joseph Shaun Cepeda was apprehended Wednesday and subsequently charged with larceny, according to a press release from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.The investigation was initiated in May by detectives following the reported theft of several valuable items from a construction site in Ocean Reef. The stolen goods included a measuring laser, two flood lights, and a multi-tool.Detectives discovered that Cepeda had allegedly pawned the stolen items at a local shop located in Florida City.Arrest warrants were obtained for Cepeda and on Wednesday, officials successfully apprehended him, and he was subsequently booked into jail.

Starbucks introduces new frozen refreshers for a cool summer treat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

As summer heats up, Starbucks is bringing a chilly twist to its popular refreshing beverages with the introduction of the new Frozen Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers. These refreshing drinks, now available in stores across the United States and Canada, promise to be a vibrant addition to Starbucks’ range of cold beverages.The Frozen Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers line combines the beloved flavors of Starbucks Refreshers with a tantalizing swirl of strawberry puree and real fruit pieces, offering customers a delightful way to savor the essence of summer.Matt Thornton, senior beverage developer at Starbucks, expressed his enthusiasm for the new addition in a press release. “Since Starbucks Refreshers Beverages joined the menu in 2012, our customers and partners (baristas) have creatively customized their beverages, such as adding coconut milk, lemonade, or blending with ice,” he said. “Inspired by these customer and partner creations, we’re excited to bring t...