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Ho-hum holiday shopping for California? 12 trends to watch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:03 GMT

It’s a good bet that California’s holiday shopping season won’t be delightful – nor will to be frightful.Sure, there’s a sleighful of worry as the annual gift-giving rush begins. There are economic gyrations and geopolitical uncertainties – domestic and international. Did I mention no easy and final cure for the worst bout of inflation in four decades?It’s the kind of anxiety-building pattern that could let Scrooge-like thinking creep into most Californians’ shopping lists.Curiously, some of that skittishness stems from business strengths. Think of inflation, for example. It’s a by-product of an overperforming economy. Low unemployment has boosted paychecks and employers’ labor expenses, which often are passed on to consumers.So, times are relatively good for numerous folks in the Golden State. That’s enough economic underpinnings for a ho-hum shopping surge surrounding the ho-ho-ho season.However, it’s by no means simple to build an upbeat year-end retail outlook. Take a peek at 12...

California ‘manny’ gets 707 years for sexually abusing 16 children

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:03 GMT

A Costa Mesa male nanny who sexually abused sixteen boys and showed pornography to a 17th child was sentenced Friday afternoon to 707 years and eight months to life in prison.The lengthy prison term for Matthew Zakrzewski, 34, came a month after an Orange County Superior Court jury convicted the defendant of 34 felony counts following a nearly month-long trial in a Santa Ana courtroom.Zakrzewski — who described himself as a “manny” — videotaped many of the molestation crimes, footage that prosecutors relied heavily on as evidence during his trial.The sentence means he would have to do at least 707 years before being eligible for parole.Parents described initially being impressed by Zakrzewski and his background, as well as his rapport with their boys. But Orange County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Menninger noted that Zakrzewski took advantage of the parents’ view of him as “perfect, smart, fun and moral” in order to gain unfettered access to the boys and to manipulate them into no...

Open house kicks off holiday season in Saratoga Village

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:03 GMT

Downtown Saratoga kicks off the holidays Friday, Nov. 24, with the Village Open House. It’s a family event with something for all ages. The traditional tree-lighting ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. in Blaney Plaza.Before the tree lighting, kids can find lots to do in the Candy Cane Lane, 3-5:30 p.m. at 14460 Big Basin Way. There will be pictures with Santa and his elves, arts and craft tables, a visit from the Grinch, hot cocoa, food to purchase and live music geared toward children. All this is free thanks to Star One Credit Union and the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. www.saratogachamber.orgAfter tree lighting, adults can sip pours from area vintners at the wine stroll. Tickets are $65 at the door. You’ll be able to taste some of the best wines in the area along with small bites courtesy of Saratoga merchants.And throughout the night, music and performances will keep visitors in the holiday spirit. Businesses will extend shopping hours. The Saratoga History Museum will be hosting a sp...

Another suspect arrested over alleged armed carjacking in September

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:03 GMT

(BCN) -- Another suspect in an armed carjacking in San Mateo in September has been arrested, police said Monday.The suspect was identified as Julio Villalobos, 18, a resident of Antioch. He was arrested and booked into Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County on Nov. 16 on suspicion of carjacking and second-degree robbery, the San Mateo Police Department said in a statement.Around 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 15, police learned a man was held at gunpoint while someone stole his white Chevrolet van near 42nd Avenue and Edison Street. Verdict reached in San Carlos samurai sword murder trial Hours later, a description and license plate number were broadcast to other police agencies and Brisbane police found the stolen van traveling north on U.S. Highway 101. They gave chase, continuing into San Francisco and through several city streets until it ended near the intersection of Market Street and Octavia Boulevard, police said.A suspect, identified as Jose Ramirez Marquez, 18, attempted to flee on foot...

Protected: Congress must act on chemical security before terrorists do

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:03 GMT

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South African leader accuses Israel and Hamas of violating law at meeting attended by Putin and Xi

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:03 GMT

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accused Israel of war crimes and acts “tantamout to genocide” in Gaza during a virtual meeting of leaders of developing countries including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping on Tuesday. Ramaphosa also condemned Hamas for its attack on Israeli civilians that sparked the conflict and said both sides were guilty of violating international law.“The collective punishment of Palestinian civilians through the unlawful use of force by Israel is a war crime,” Ramaphosa said at the start of the meeting of leaders and top diplomats from the BRICS bloc of countries. “The deliberate denial of medicine, fuel, food and water to the residents of Gaza is tantamount to genocide.”“In its attacks on civilians and by taking hostages, Hamas has also violated international law and must be held accountable for these actions,” Ramaphosa said.Also joining the meeting were officials from BRICS members Brazil and In...

El presidente de Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, dice que en Argentina ganó la extrema derecha neonazi

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:03 GMT

(CNN Español) — El presidente de Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, se pronunció sobre la victoria del presidente electo de Argentina, Javier Milei.El mandatario evitó nombrar específicamente al ganador del balotaje argentino, pero calificó como “extrema derecha neonazi” al Gobierno entrante y advirtió que es una “tremenda amenaza la llegada de un extremista de derecha con un proyecto absolutamente colonial, arrodillado al imperialismo norteamericano”.“Ayer hubo elecciones presidenciales y, como ya se preveía con las estadísticas de las encuestas, ganó la extrema derecha neonazi en Argentina, es una extrema derecha que viene con un proyecto colonial para la Argentina pero que pretende liderar un proyecto colonial en toda América Latina y el Caribe.“Desde Venezuela siempre vamos a decir la verdad, siempre vamos a decir nuestra verdad, nosotros respetamos el voto del pueblo argentino, quisieron darse ese Gobierno, bueno, a los argentinos y a las argen...

Both sides appeal ruling that Trump can stay on Colorado ballot despite insurrection finding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:03 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Both a liberal group that sought to disqualify Donald Trump and the former president himself on Monday night appealed a judge's ruling that Trump “engaged in insurrection” on Jan. 6, 2021, but can stay on the state's primary ballot.The appeals were filed with the Colorado Supreme Court. The ruling by Colorado District Court Judge Sarah Wallace on Friday — which said Trump is not covered by the constitution’s ban on insurrectionists holding office — was the latest in a series of defeats for the effort to end Trump's candidacy with Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.The constitutional provision has only been used a handful of times since the years after the Civil War. It was created to prevent former Confederates from returning to government positions. Judge rules Trump can appear on Colorado 2024 Republican primary ballot The group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, filing on behalf of a group of Republican and unaffiliated Colorado voters, argued that...

East Colfax staple Tom's Starlight, formerly Tom's Diner, closes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:03 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Tom's Starlight, an East Colfax staple under its previous name of Tom's Diner, has officially ended operations.In an email to FOX31, historic real estate firm GBX Group LLC confirmed Tom's Starlight closed on Nov. 17. The Denver restaurant was located at 601 East Colfax Ave. in Capitol Hill. Before it was transformed into Tom's Starlight in 2022, the iconic spot was known as Tom's Diner, a 24-hour restaurant. Legendary rock band The Rolling Stones bringing tour to Denver According to the restaurant's website, owner Tom Messina took the reins of Tom's Diner in 1999 and made it a community staple for 20 years. In 2019 when the building was almost demolished, Messina teamed up with GBX Group LLC to preserve the property and turn it into Tom's Starlight.The location is considered one of Colfax's most iconic buildings, and Messina and his team successfully saved the local landmark. According to GBX Group LLC, they implemented historic preservation programs and partner...

1 game left in Deion Sanders 1st season coaching the Buffs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:03 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Deion Sanders' first season as head coach at the University of Colorado Boulder comes to a close this Saturday. After a historic start to the year when Sanders debuted his Buffaloes in Fort Worth and took home an upset win against TCU, the Buffs have faltered a bit and landed last in the Pac-12 standings. The Buffs lost their fifth game in a row last Friday against Washington State. The Cougars claimed victory over the Buffs with a final score of 56-14 and took away the team's hopes of a bowl game this year. Photos: Bigger, upgraded video board coming to CU’s Folsom Field Despite a massive improvement upon last year’s win total, Sanders said the program measures itself against its own expectations.“We’re falling short of what we’re capable of, that’s the part of this that’s tough to digest. We’ve got high expectations here, so this is tremendously disappointing,” said Sanders.The Buffaloes’ postseason hopes were dashed in their largest loss of the “Coach Prime” er...