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Southern California city becomes first in nation to recognize legal rights of nonhuman animals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:51 GMT

The City of Ojai is now the first city in America to recognize the legal rights of a nonhuman animal. The Ojai City Council voted to adopt the ordinance introduced by Councilmember Leslie Rule (District 1) and developed with the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) by a vote of 4-1 on Tuesday night. The ordinance defines and protects elephants’ rights to liberty, NhRP said in a press release. “It’s indisputable that elephants suffer when deprived of their freedom and that animal welfare laws can’t end their suffering,” said NhRP Director of Government Relations and Campaigns Courtney Fern. “For elephants and the nonhuman animal rights movement, we are proud to support this first-of-its-kind ordinance and we commend the Ojai City Council for standing up for what is necessary and just.”  California official submits proposal to have new national monument near Joshua Tree National Park Elephants have been found to be quite similar to humans; they are cognitively, emotionally and socially co...

Skeletal remains found in sprawling Ventura County park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:51 GMT

A hiker discovered skeletal remains in a Thousand Oaks park earlier this week, officials said Wednesday.The local resident was hiking in an open space between the 302-acre Arroyo Conejo Preserve and the 1900 block of Roadrunner Avenue when he discovered the remains in a ravine, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.Deputies responded and located the remains and personnel from the major crimes bureau and the Medical Examiner’s Office began an investigation.Officials eventually confirmed that the remains were that of a decomposed human, but, “due to the level of decomposition, the decedent could not be identified,” VCSO said.Detectives are working to identify the person. His or her cause of death remans unknown.

Kannon Pandy Killed in Two-Vehicle Collision on Challenger Way [Lancaster, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:51 GMT

Two-Car Crash near Avenue H-4 Left One Man DeadLANCASTER, CA (September 27, 2023) – Monday evening, a two-vehicle crash on Challenger Way left Kannon Pandy dead, according to reports.Officers responded to the fatal collision on September 25th at around 10:45 p.m. along Challenger Way, next to Avenue H-4.According to reports, Pandy attempted to make a U-Turn when his vehicle was struck by an SUV traveling in the opposite direction.Paramedics arrived and pronounced 19-year-old Kannon Pandy dead at the scene due to the extent of his injuries. Moreover, the SUV driver was hospitalized with minor injuries according to officers.Additionally, both directions of the roadway were temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties but has since been reopened.Officials will release additional information as it becomes available to the public, anyone with information about the fatal accident is urged to contact local authorities.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt...

Pedro Lopez Santos Arrested after Fatal Accident near Highway 116 [Sonoma County, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:51 GMT

One Dead after Solo-Car Crash on Oak Grove AvenueSONOMA COUNTY, CA (September 27, 2023) – Sunday morning, police arrested Pedro Lopez Santos after he crashed his car into a tree leaving his passenger dead.The incident happened at around 11:20 a.m. on Oak Grove Avenue near Highway 116.According to reports, Lopez Santos was driving a Toyota Camry sedan in the area. He lost control of the vehicle, went off the road, and crashed into a tree. The impact of the collision caused Lopez Santos and a 19-year-old passenger to sustain serious injuries.Officials pronounced the passenger dead due to the extent of his injuries. His identity will be released to the public pending notification of next of kin.Meanwhile, crews transported Lopez Santos to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.Following his release from the hospital, police arrested 18-year-old Pedro Lopez Santos and booked him into Sonoma County Jail. Officials charged him with DUI.The Sweet ...

Shane Donaway Dies in Motorcycle Crash on South Pleasant Valley Road [Austin, TX]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:51 GMT

46-Year-Old Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident near William Cannon DriveAUSTIN, TX (September 27, 2023) – Sunday afternoon, Shane Donaway lost his life in a motorcycle accident on South Pleasant Valley Road.Police arrived at the scene near William Cannon Drive around 4:45 p.m., specifically in the 6600 block of South Pleasant Valley Road.As of now, the circumstances leading up to the collision remain unclear. However, initial reports suggest that first responders discovered a motorcyclist with severe injuries upon arrival.Due to the gravity of the injuries sustained, emergency crews later declared the rider deceased at the scene. Authorities have since identified the victim as 46-year-old Donaway.An active investigation is currently in progress to uncover additional details about the incident.The team at Sweet James would like to offer their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Shane Donaway. May you find comfort and strength during this devastating time.Losing a ...

Where To Get Free COVID Tests And Updated Vaccines

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:51 GMT

Free COVID-19 tests and updated vaccines are now available nationwide in anticipation of a winter surge in transmission.The U.S. saw an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations through the summer, although not enough to cause concern for a return to lockdown measures.Public health officials from the CDC, FDA and locally believe that between the access to rapid testing, updated vaccines and therapeutics, there is enough to effectively fight COVID-19 better than at the opening stages of the pandemic.“I think it’s important for people who are high-risk to, older people, people who are immunocompromised, people living with people who are at higher risk, pregnant women, people caring for infants–we need to get ourselves boosted,” Ferrer said. “We really can’t afford to take the risk of getting infected. I know for some younger, healthy adults, they’re thinking ‘Well, this doesn’t really apply to me.’ I’d like to say we ha...

Richmond man takes 13 years in Oakland homicide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:51 GMT

OAKLAND — The suspect in a 2021 Oakland killing has accepted a plea deal and is set to be sentenced to 13 years in prison next month, court records show.Lamarr Howard, 34, pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the death of Anza Washington, who was was shot in the back of the head around 10:50 p.m. Feb. 25, 2021 on the 1300 block of 102nd Avenue, in Oakland. Howard was identified through video surveillance and arrested two months after the slaying.At Howard’s 2022 preliminary hearing, police testified that video surveillance showed Washington talking to some people in a stopped Nissan shortly before the shooting. Howard was then seen pulling up to the scene, getting out of his car, and shooting Howard, who had his back turned, authorities said.The defense argued at the preliminary hearing that the video showed Washington was armed and “was looking to do harm that evening.”Howard formally pleaded no contest to manslaughter on Aug. 18. In exchange for ...

Biden talks artificial intelligence, touts fight against deadly bacteria during Bay Area visit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:51 GMT

President Joe Biden met with 14 science and technology advisers in San Francisco on Wednesday to talk about artificial intelligence and tout an investment of more than $100 million to combat deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria.Briefly addressing the media before the meeting at the Fairmont Hotel, Biden said he had a keen interest in AI and has been seeking insight from experts “to harness the power of artificial intelligence for good while protecting people from the profound risk it also presents.”The advisors planned to brief Biden, who sandwiched the meeting between fundraisers expected to help fill his campaign coffers, privately on “how AI is knocking down the walls so we can see new frontiers in research,” said Arati Prabhakar, the president’s advisor for science and technology. She said the president was set to hear, for example, about how AI might be used to predict extreme weather events.Biden noted “vast differences” in the promise...

Bay Area women’s basketball community thrilled by potential WNBA expansion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:51 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO – Stanford women’s basketball coaching legend Tara VanDerveer was thrilled when she caught wind Tuesday night that the Bay Area could finally be getting a WNBA team.Like many fans who’ve waited so long for this to happen, though, women’s college basketball’s all-time wins leader had to taper her excitement.“It kind of feels a little bit like a tease,” VanDerveer said Wednesday. “Let’s really make it official.”The Warriors are close to finalizing a deal that would bring a WNBA expansion team to the Bay Area, according to The Athletic. The team and league were clear that no deal has been finalized, but the Warriors said they have held “productive conversations” with the WNBA in recent months.Mitty girls basketball coach Sue Phillips was watching the second round of the WNBA playoffs Tuesday night when a tweet tipped her off that a team may be closer than ever.“I was over the moon and just excited,” Phillips said Wednesday.Ever since the WNBA announced in 2022 its plans t...

Three-bedroom home in Oakland sells for $1.7 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:51 GMT

1862 Drake Drive – Google Street ViewA 2,000-square-foot house built in 1957 has changed hands. The property located in the 1800 block of Drake Drive in Oakland was sold on Aug. 7, 2023. The $1,675,000 purchase price works out to $838 per square foot. The layout of this single-story home includes three bedrooms and three baths. Inside, a fireplace adds character to the home. In addition, the house includes a two-car garage, ensuring ample room for parking and storage.Additional houses have recently been sold nearby:A 2,225-square-foot home on the 5600 block of Balboa Drive in Oakland sold in March 2022, for $1,970,000, a price per square foot of $885. The home has 4 bedrooms.On Asilomar Drive, Oakland, in July 2023, a 1,743-square-foot home was sold for $1,500,000, a price per square foot of $861. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In March 2023, a 2,237-square-foot home on Snake Road in Oakland sold for $2,150,000, a price per square foot of $961. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3...