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West Hills encampment cleanup postponed after 'highly inappropriate' email from LAPD officer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:52 GMT

A controversial plan to clean up an encampment in West Hills on Thursday has been postponed after a "highly inappropriate" email from a Los Angeles Police Department officer was leaked, the department said Tuesday.The social media account Film the Police LA released a screenshot of an email from Senior Lead Officer Brittney Gutierrez in which she says the Thursday cleanup is being conducted by a "hush hush task force." She also indicated that she did not want any of the people experiencing homelessness to be contacted before the cleanup so she could arrest all of them."Everyone will be arrested and all their belongings will be taken away by sanitation," she wrote.William Gude, a Hollywood resident who was identified by the Los Angeles Times as the person behind the Film the Police LA account, described the wording of the email as "wild.""This language sounds like they’re trying to herd & trap homeless," he wrote.On Tuesday, the LAPD said the cleanup has been "postponed for the m...

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss's mom opens up about his death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:52 GMT

Stephen "tWitch" Boss's mom opened up for the first time about the loss of her son and the legacy he left behind. In an exclusive interview with People, Connie Boss Alexander shared personal insights into tWitch's life, his love for dance and how his spirit continues to comfort her. DJ Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss dead at 40 “When I think about him, I try not to dwell on how he left this earth,” she told People in this week's issue. “This is not totally the end. That is where my peace comes from.”Alexander said she still gets the urge to pick up her phone and call or text her late son, as they used to be in contact every day prior to his passing. “Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday, and then other times it feels like it’s been so long since I’ve seen him,” she revealed. Death of DJ Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss prompts discussion on mental health awareness The "Ellen DeGeneres Show" DJ and executive producer died by suicide on Dec. 13. Like many of his loved ones, Alexander w...

Angela Bassett to receive an Honorary Oscar

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:52 GMT

Angela Bassett will finally get her Oscar. She's one of four people who will receive an honorary Academy Award at this year's Governor's Awards. Superman, Lois Lane officially cast in new Warner Bros., DC Studios film The announcement was made on Monday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Bassett was nominated this year for her role as Queen Ramonda in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," but lost to Jamie Lee Curtis for her role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once."The "9-1-1" actress was first nominated for an Oscar in 1993 for her portrayal of Tina Turner in "What's Love Got to Do with It?"Other honorary Oscar recipients include the legendary director, producer, writer and actor Mel Brooks. Sundance's Michelle Satter and film editor Carol Littleton. Barbie’s Dream House comes to life ahead of Margot Robbie film; how to book your stay "The Academy's Board of Governors is thrilled to honor four trailblazers who have transformed the film industry and inspir...

Video: Man points laser at sheriff's office helicopter, temporarily blinds crew

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:52 GMT

Warning: Video above contains flashing.ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Robert Raymond Kasprzak, 34, of Port St. Lucie, allegedly flashed the green laser at the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office helicopter multiple times, according to the sheriff's office. The crew on board was temporarily blinded by the laser, the sheriff's office said. The crew of a helicopter belonging to a Florida sheriff's office captured footage of the laser being pointed directly at the aircraft. (Courtesy: St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office)Kasprzak was tracked to a turnpike service plaza, where he was arrested by the Port St. Lucie Police Department and charged with misuse of a laser lighting device, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, according to deputies. Sheriff Ken Mascara said it was important to remind the public that pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime. "Doing so triggers temporary blindness and could have deadly consequences for the crew and the public ...

Star-Spangled: Arts Calendar June 29 – July 5

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:52 GMT

A star-spangled block party with drones instead of fireworks, an expat comedy troupe lives the Amsterdam dream, a collage artist is inspired by natural disaster, a painter speaks across borders, a trans woman makes the healthcare system work for a change, a multimedia installation honors personal and community history, an Arthur Miller classic gets a contemporary update, artists have been making computer-generated films for decades, late-night ambient music in the garden, jazz in the pine forest, a renowned dance company opens for community summer classes, gallery shows take on the abstract patterns and oppressive over-saturation of visual culture.Francesca Gabbiani at Wilding CranThursday, June 29Francesca Gabbiani Mutations at Wilding Cran Gallery. Drawing inspiration from her experience living in Los Angeles, Gabbiani has been captivated by the phenomena and mythology of wildfires, returning to them over and over in an effort to dissect their psychological impact upon our social,...

Fire at San Leandro apartment complex has 160 looking for housing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:52 GMT

SAN LEANDRO — Approximately 160 residents at a three-story apartment complex were left looking for housing Tuesday night after a fire broke out at the complex, fire officials said.The fire in the 13700 block of E. 14th Street broke out about 5:10 p.m. and caused enough damage to the building that it was red-tagged, according to a statement from Alameda County Fire spokesperson Cheryl Hurd.All of the residents escaped without being injured, she said.The Red Cross and the city of San Leandro were helping to find them shelter.The first firefighters to arrive saw flames and smoke in one of the units on the third floor that extended to an adjacent unit, Hurd said. It took 29 firefighters to fight the fire and bring it under control, she said. They were able to get inside of the building as they fought the blaze and extinguished it in about 30 minutes.No other information was available immediately.Please check back for updates.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Aband...

Large Antioch housing development on track on former grazing land

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:52 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...

Bay Area heat advisory in effect this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:52 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A Heat Advisory for inland areas of the Bay Area will go into effect on Friday and last through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The advisory pertains to inland portions of the Bay Area and to the Central Coast, where temperatures in the 90s and low 100s could impact people's life, health, commerce and travel, the NWS said."Our first heat of the season is arriving on Friday and the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory Bay Area wide with the exception of San Francisco, the coast and those directly along the bay," said KRON4 Meteorologist Kyla Grogan.  How median price for a 1-bedroom apartment in SF compares to national average Risk for those who are heat-sensitive will be moderate to high, especially those without effective cooling of hydration, the NWS said. The weather service recommends limiting outdoor activities during the afternoon or evening.Graphic: Kyla Grogan"Temperatures will be the highest for the inner Eas...

Berkeley street closures for Fourth of July announced

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:52 GMT

(KRON) – The City of Berkeley will have street closures in place during the Fourth of July in an effort to lower fire risk set off from potential fireworks and allow more efficient access for emergency vehicles. Grizzly Peak Boulevard will be closed to all traffic between Centennial Drive and Skyline Boulevard starting Tuesday, July 4 at 5 p.m. and will reopen the following day at 5 a.m. Only residents who show proof they live on Grizzly Peak Blvd. or in the immediate area will be allowed access to travel to and from their homes.  Female bank robber sought by Brentwood, Antioch police Delivery vehicles are exempted from the closure. Traffic posts will be in place at the following locations to prevent through traffic:Centennial Drive between Stadium Way and Grizzly Peak Blvd.Lomas Cantadas and Grizzly Peak Blvd.South Park and Grizzly Peak Blvd.Claremont Avenue, Fish Ranch Road and Grizzly Peak Blvd.Skyline Boulevard and Grizzly Peak Blvd.Drivers will not be allowed to stop alo...

Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office holding meeting over military equipment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:57:52 GMT

(BCN) -- The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office will host a meeting Thursday to discuss its military equipment policy. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at 1850 Muir Road in Martinez. The Sheriff's Office will discuss its 2022 report on its military equipment, followed by a question-and-answer session. Assembly Bill 481, approved by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021, requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval from a governing body like a Board of Supervisors to purchase, obtain and use specified military equipment. Female bank robber sought by Brentwood, Antioch police The latest report on the types, quantities, and costs of military equipment the Sheriff's Office has acquired and used in the past year is available here. Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.