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‘This destruction could have been avoided’: Maui County sues utility, alleging negligence over wildfires

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher and Gene Johnson | Associated PressHONOLULU — Maui County sued Hawaiian Electric Company on Thursday over the fires that devastated Lahaina, saying the utility negligently failed to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions.Witness accounts and video indicated that sparks from power lines ignited fires as utility poles snapped in the winds, which were driven by a passing hurricane. The Aug. 8 fire killed at least 115 people and left an unknown number of others missing.A spokesperson for Hawaiian Electric didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.Had the utility heeded weather service “warnings and de-energized their powerlines during the predicted high-wind gusts, this destruction could have been avoided,” the lawsuit said.The lawsuit said the utility had a duty “to properly maintain and repair the electric transmission lines, and other equipment including utility poles associated with their transmission of elect...

When sending a child off to college means gaining a bedroom

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

Every year, the migration happens. Flocks of kids leave home for college. In the United States, more than 40 percent of new college students move away from home. And you know what that means?Their parents gain a bedroom.For Gina, sending her only child away to college was bittersweet. While she missed having her home, being able to transform her daughter’s bedroom into a home office and private retreat took some of the sting away.“I wanted to make her room into a place I could use without making her feel kicked out,” said Gina, who shares the two-bedroom, 1,600-square-foot home in Chelmsford, Mass., with her husband.She hired interior designer Debbe Daley, of Portsmouth, NH, to help. “Sending a kid off to college stirs up a lot of emotions for both parent and child,” said Daley. “It’s a moment. The kids go off, and the parents look at this unused space and wonder what to do with it. Leaving the room as it is can be a sad reminder of all the missed activity.”I must butt in: Folks, ho...

‘Underground Economy’ task force raids Concord man’s home for allegedly selling counterfeit high-end accessories on OfferUp

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

CONCORD — A 57-year-old man has been charged with five felonies for allegedly running a scam for years that involved him allegedly advertising Rolex watches and other expensive luxury items on an online merchant app.The Concord resident has been charged with five felony counts of advertising counterfeit goods, after police raided his home arrested him in late June, court records show. He has pleaded not guilty and is next due in court in mid-September.During a search of his home, authorities found dozens of watches, belts, handbags, flip flops, backpacks, earrings, scarves, sandals, and other accessories that had been labeled with well-known designer brands like Gucci, Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Versache, and the National Football League, authorities said.The investigation was led by the Tax Recovery Underground Economy Task Force, a branch of the California Department of Justice that was founded by an assembly bill in 2020. The TRUE task forced was tipped off by an investigator wi...

The 10 most expensive reported home sales in San Jose the week of Aug. 14

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

A house in San Jose that sold for $3.2 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in San Jose in the past week.In total, 46 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $2 million, $1,030 per square foot.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Aug. 14 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $2.4 million, single-family home in the 1600 block of Peregrino WayThe sale of the single family residence in the 1600 block of Peregrino Way in San Jose has been finalized. The price was $2,367,000, and the new owners took over the house in August. The house was built in 1967 and has a living area of 2,300 square feet. The price per square foot was $1,029. The house features three bedrooms and three bathrooms.9. $2.6 million, single-family residence in the 7100 block of Wooded Lake DriveThe sale of the single-family residence in the 7...

Kevin Costner’s wealth quadrupled to $400 million during marriage, estranged wife claims

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

It’s no secret that Kevin Costner is rich, but his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner believes he is much wealthier than he has previously acknowledged as she seeks to force him to turn over information about his finances amid their contentious divorce and court fights over child support and a 2004 prenuptial agreement.According to new court filings obtained by TMZ, Baumgartner said Costner’s net worth is close to $400 million. That’s more than the $250 million cited in recent news reports and much, much more than the $102 million in assets the 68-year-old actor and director claimed to have when they were negotiating their prenuptial agreement ahead of their 2004 wedding.In the court filings, Baumgartner, 49, questions whether Costner disclosed his full net worth when she signed the prenuptial agreement, TMZ reported. Apparently, she and her legal team find it hard to believe that he was able to quadruple his net worth over the past two decades. They also allege ...

Autopsy finds woman found dead last week in Oakland was stabbed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

OAKLAND — An autopsy has determined that a woman whose decomposed body was found in East Oakland last week was stabbed to death, authorities said.The woman’s identity has still not been confirmed by coroner’s staff.Her body was found about 8:45 a.m. Aug. 14 behind some bushes in the 2700 block of 79th Avenue, a primarily residential area, by a maintenance worker.An autopsy conducted earlier this week revealed that the woman had been stabbed, police said.Homicide investigators are trying to determine a motive for the killing and identify suspects.Authorities have not determined how long the woman was at the site before she was found or said if they believe she was killed there or somewhere else.Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $10,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the killer. Anyone with information about the woman or a suspect is asked to call homicide investigators at 510-238-3821 or 510-238-7950 or Crime Stoppers ...

Half Moon Bay: 70-year-old man pleads not guilty to molestation charge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

HALF MOON BAY — A Half Moon Bay man pleaded not guilty Thursday morning to charges that he molested a female relative in the early 1990s, when she was between the ages 6 and 9, according to prosecutors.Manuel Cortes, 70, was arrested June 6 following a one-year investigation into allegations made by the relative. The now 37-year-old woman told the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office that Cortes molested and raped her as a child.San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe said the crime took place between Jan. 1, 1991 and Feb. 6, 1995; the victim couldn’t remember the exact date of the alleged assault, Wagstaffe said.The victim said she didn’t report the allegation sooner because she feared no one would believe her, and that would be cut off from other relatives. Prosecutors said Cortes admitted to the molestation in a phone call with the victim that was monitored by detectives.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Arrest made in vicious attack at Re...

IKEA store evacuated during SF grand opening

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- IKEA in San Francisco officially opened its doors on Wednesday. However, the grand opening for the 945 Market Street location did not go without any hiccups. Shoppers evacuated the three-floor store Wednesday afternoon as the San Francisco Fire Department responded to a report of a fire. However, it turned out to be a false alarm at 4:37 p.m., according to SFFD. What to expect at the new San Francisco IKEA KRON4 viewer video (above) shows a crowd of customers outside of the IKEA building as SFFD trucks are seen responding to the incident. There were no other details provided by SFFD about the false alarm.IKEA in downtown San Francisco will occupy 52,000 square feet over three levels and include 27 fully furnished room settings for shoppers to explore. IKEA’s much-anticipated opening comes amidst a parade of high-profile retail closures in the area, which includes Nordstrom, Old Navy and Saks Off Fifth Avenue.

Home Depot shoplifting suspect shot by guard charged with assault with deadly weapon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

(KRON) -- An alleged shoplifting suspect who was shot by a security guard at a Home Depot in San Carlos earlier this month has been charged with assault, the San Mateo County District Attorney said. Jonathon Lee Mackey, 26, of San Carlos, allegedly attacked a guard during an attempted shoplifting on Aug. 7.The incident occurred at 10 p.m. at the Home Depot located at 1125 Old County Road. Mackey allegedly entered the store and stole numerous tools.An armed security guard confronted Mackey and the physical encounter escalated. During the altercation, Mackey gained control of the guard's baton and struck the guard in the head and face, according to police. Over $85K in stolen goods recovered from Bay Area flea markets, 2 arrested Mackey then threw the baton through a glass window near the store's entrance. The guard fired two shots at Mackey, at least one of which struck him. A San Mateo County Sheriff's deputy was in the area and heard the shots. The deputy responded and arrested M...

Dream forward Nia Coffey to miss remainder of season with left hand injury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Dream forward Nia Coffey will miss the remainder of the season with a left hand injury.Coffey suffered the injury last week and after consulting with specialists was ruled out for the season by the Dream on Thursday.Coffey, who has started in 31 games, was averaging 6.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in her seventh season.Coffey was drafted out of Northwestern by the San Antonio Stars, now the Las Vegas Aces, in 2017. She was traded to Atlanta before the 2019 season and played for Phoenix and the Los Angeles Sparks before re-signing with the Dream before the 2022 season.Coffey, 28, is expected to make a full recovery, according to the Dream.___WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketballSource