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Jefferson County man sentenced to life in prison for murdering ex-girlfriend in Conifer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:36 GMT

A Jefferson County judge on Monday sentenced a 60-year-old man to life in prison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend in Conifer last year.A jury on Friday found Wayne Richard Lotz guilty of first-degree murder after deliberation following a five-day trial, the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office stated in a news release Monday.On Feb. 15, 2022, authorities found Michele Scott, 55, dead in a ravine in the Conifer area. Neighbors had called the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office with concerns that they hadn’t seen her in a few days.Deputies found smeared blood on a truck parked in her driveway, in the garage and in the home, according to the release.Authorities, before locating her body, found Lotz driving her car. He told police that Scott was on vacation and that he had permission to use her vehicle and credit card while he cared for her animals, prosecutors said.Deputies eventually found a rug and moving blanket in the area of Pleasant Park and South Ridges r...

Bear population surge leading to more human encounters in California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:36 GMT

It has been 100 years since the California grizzly bear, the symbol that adorns the state flag, was hunted to extinction in the Golden State. Today, you will only find them in zoos and animal sanctuaries.However, where one bear species has disappeared, another has surged in population in recent decades.In the early 1980s, the number of wild black bears, the smallest of North America’s three bear species, was estimated to be 10,000 to 15,000 in California. Today, that number has grown to somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.Despite their variance in color -some are cinnamon or light brown- and wide range in sizes and weight, they are all considered black bears. It is also the only kind of bear you will find in the wild in California.A bear in Monrovia walks near a KTLA 5 News van on Feb. 21, 2020. (Credit: KTLA)Most of the state’s black bears are found in the northern portion of California in what biologists refer to as the ...

Overnight closures planned to repair 5 Freeway damaged by mudslide near Castaic

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:36 GMT

Caltrans will begin closing the southbound side of the 5 Freeway near Castaic for overnight repairs beginning Monday night.The roadway was damaged in late March during a series of heavy storms, in which the hillside gave way leading to several lanes having to be closed. The freeway has been reduced to two lanes ever since the mudslide.Beginning at 10 p.m. Monday, Caltrans will close the entire southbound side of the freeway overnight for emergency repairs. The repairs are expected to take place each night through Thursday and again on Saturday, although Caltrans hopes to have some lanes reopened overnight before the weekend.During the week, construction will stop and the road will reopen to traffic each morning at 5 a.m. On Saturday, the road will close at midnight and remain closed until 8 a.m. Sunday.A detour will be in place utilizing Highway 138 and Highway 14.A map provided by Caltrans shows the overnight detour that will be in place beginning May 15, 2023 for emergency repairs...

1 Killed in Pedestrian Accident on Alessandro Drive [Palm Desert, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:36 GMT

One Pronounced Dead after Pedestrian Collision on Portola AvenuePALM DESERT, CA (May 15, 2023) – Thursday night, one victim was killed in a pedestrian accident on Alessandro Drive.Authorities responded to the scene around 5:45 p.m., near Portola Avenue on May 4th after receiving multiple dispatch calls.Per reports, the driver of a vehicle struck a pedestrian near the intersection. Medical personnel arrived and located the pedestrian with life-threatening injuries.Paramedics eventually transported the pedestrian to a nearby hospital where they later succumbed to their injuries. Although, police have not yet released their name or place of residency.Meanwhile, the driver that struck the victim stayed at the scene and cooperated with the officers. At this time, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway.The team at Sweet James offers their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of the deceased victim. May you find comfort...

Man Fatally Struck by Semi-Truck on Interstate 10 [Chandler, AZ]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:36 GMT

Male Pedestrian Pronounced Dead after Big-Rig Accident near Wild Horse Pass RoadCHANDLER, AZ (May 15, 2023) – Late Tuesday afternoon, one man was fatally struck by a semi-truck on Interstate 10.The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m., near Wild Horse Pass Road on May 9th. Dispatchers responded to the scene shortly after receiving multiple calls in the area.Per reports, the driver of a vehicle exited his car directly in front of a passing semi-truck. As a result, the semi-truck struck the man, causing life-threatening injuries.Medical personnel arrived and pronounced the male pedestrian dead at the scene. Although, authorities have not yet released his identity.Emergency crews blocked the eastbound lanes of I-10 before they were later reopened around 5:00 p.m. At this time, an active investigation is still currently underway.In this sorrowful time, the Sweet James team would like to extend their heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased man. May you find comfort and st...

Woman pleads no contest to strangling her newborn baby in Castro Valley decades ago, will serve 6-year prison term

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:36 GMT

OAKLAND — Alameda County prosecutors have reached a plea deal with the Stanislaus County woman who was arrested in 2020 on charges that she strangled her newborn baby and left him in a Castro Valley creekbed more than 30 years ago, court records show.Lesa Lopez, 55, pleaded no contest to a single count of voluntary manslaughter in the 1988 death of her newborn son. In exchange, prosecutors dropped murder charges against her. As part of the deal she will serve six years in state prison, but remains out of custody until her sentencing date, which has been set for July 21.In July 2020, Lopez was arrested and charged with murdering the boy, who was posthumously named Richard Jayson Terrance Rein by local church leaders. Authorities in Alameda County employed a genealogical DNA technique similar to that used to catch the Golden State Killer to identify Lopez as the boy’s mother, and by extension, his killer, according to court records.Annie Beles, an attorney representing Lop...

Extended Oregon walkout results in re-election bans for 3

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:36 GMT

By Andrew Selsky | Associated PressSALEM, Ore. — Two Republicans and an Independent taking part in a boycott that has stalled hundreds of bills in the Oregon Senate, incuding measures on abortion and gender-affirming care, were disqualified Monday from reelection under a new constitutional amendment aimed at stopping such walkouts.The GOP-led walkout of the Democrat-dominated Senate has stretched to 10 days, though some participating lawmakers have rotated in and out since the boycott began May 3. Each of the three affected senators accumulated 10 unexcused absences, making them ineligible to serve in the Legislature for the period after their terms expire under a ballot measure voters passed overwhelmingly last year.“The majority of Senate Republicans continue to walk off the job that the voters elected them to do, in which our Constitution compels them to attend,” Senate President Rob Wagner said from the Senate podium. He added in an email: “Three senators have ...

San Francisco Zoo receives jaguar from the Sacramento Zoo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:36 GMT

(KTXL) — A jaguar will be living at the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens after being transferred from the Sacramento Zoo. It will be the first time a jaguar will reside at the San Francisco Zoo in 24 years, according to a news release from the zoo. •Video Above: Residents visit the waterways to cool down during the heatThe jaguar will temporarily live in a habitat adjacent to the zoo’s lion house while a permanent habitat is constructed. “Jaguars are the iconic cat of the Americas, and we are honored to share the story of this near-threatened species whose challenges include habitat loss, hunting and poaching,” said Tanya M. Peterson, CEO of the San Franciso Zoological Society in a statement. California State Fair announces headlining acts for 2023 “Jaguars once scaled all of the Americas, from South to North America, and we hope his arrival will educate Zoo visitors about saving his species before it is too late.” The 11-year-old male jaguar resided at the Sacramen...

Martinez mercury spill cleanup is nearly complete, officials say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:36 GMT

(KRON) -- Officials say the cleanup after a mercury spill in Martinez is nearly complete as of Monday morning, according to Contra Costa Health. A few "isolated locations" have not yet been cleared, CCH says. Gun aimed at motorists on San Leandro freeway caught on video The cleanup was initiated after a garbage truck picked up contaminated trash from the Martinez Amtrak station and inadvertently spread the materials throughout the area. Officials said a "substantial amount" of mercury was found in the parking lot of the Amtrak station, where it was "illegally dumped" into a trash can. Deputy director of CCH Matt Kaufman said the agency was informed of the spill by local fire officials on May 8. CCH was able to confirm the mercury was in the area nearly three hours later.KRON On is streaming now.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { pos...

Warren Buffett’s company recommits to Bank of America stock while dumping other banks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:36 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett recommitted to his favorite bank stock, Bank of America, during the first quarter while dumping two other banks as part of a number of moves in Berkshire Hathaway’s stock portfolio.Berkshire provided a quarterly update on its U.S. holdings Monday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many investors follow the company’s moves closely because of Buffett’s remarkably successful investing record over the decades.Berkshire slightly increased its 179.4 million share stake in Bank of America stock while eliminating long-time stakes in US Bancorp and the Bank of New York Mellon. Buffett has eliminated a number of bank investments in recent years, but he continues to back Bank of America.Berkshire also picked up nearly 10 million shares of Capital One stock.The quarterly filings don’t identify which investments Buffett made and which ones were done by one of Berkshire’s two other investment managers, but Buffett generally ha...