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Opinion: As Gov. Polis once said, local control of land use matters

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:00:18 GMT

With all due respect to Colorado’s governor, Jared Polis, we recently examined with great interest some wisdom that he provided before he took office. We take note of some apparent contradictions that relate to a current bill under debate in the Colorado Legislature.In 2015, then-Congressman Jared Polis said, “Local planning involves widespread citizen input and broad stakeholder involvement. When addressing contentious issues, local governments have more opportunities for public participation than a state or federal government. As such, land use tools allow local governments to act consistently with their constituents’ expectations.”We could not say it better ourselves. Ironically, it is the same Jared Polis who is the impetus of Senate Bill 213, a contentious land use bill that would greatly reduce local control. In some cases, the “reduction” would in fact lead to the elimination of that control.The heart of any community is the people who live there, who robustly engage th...

Homes evacuated due to armed standoff in Canyon Country

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:00:18 GMT

Several homes have been evacuated in Santa Clarita due to a standoff with an armed man who is “barricaded” inside his vehicle, authorities said.The standoff began around 6:20 a.m. in the 19300 block of Newhouse Street in Canyon Country, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.Officials did not release any further information about the suspect or what led to the standoff.“SEB personnel will assume tactical command and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) will attempt to make contact with the suspect to bring this to a peaceful resolution,” the Department said.Sky5 video showed several armored police vehicles surrounding two white SUVs in a cul-de-sac. April 24, 2023. (KTLA)Sky5 video showed several armored police vehicles surrounding two white SUVs in a cul-de-sac.Homes in the 19000 block of Newhouse Street were evacuated as a precaution, officials said. An evacuation center was established at St. Clare Church at 19606 Calla Way.The standoff was unfolding a short distance f...

Walt Disney Co. expected to cut 4,000 jobs this week: report

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:00:18 GMT

The second round of job cuts at the Walt Disney Co. is expected to begin on Monday.The April wave of job cuts, which has been described as the “big one” or a “bloodbath,” will result in 4,000 jobs being eliminated by the end of the week, Variety reported.Disney CEO Bob Iger announced on Feb. 8 that 7,000 jobs, representing around 3% of the company’s workforce, would be slashed. The reduction comes as Disney enacts a company-wide plan to reduce costs by $5.5 billion.All company divisions, including theme parks, are expected to be impacted by the planned labor reduction. The company’s theme park division includes the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Disney cruise lines and its international parks. Disney workforce cuts to affect all company divisions, including theme parks However, hourly frontline operations positions at the theme parks won’t be affected.Disney is also expected to do a third and final wave of job cuts before the summer season begins, bringi...

Ben Cano Killed in Pedestrian Crash on Highway 99 [Bakersfield, CA]

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:00:18 GMT

32-Year-Old Man Pronounced Dead after Fatal Pedestrian Collision near Olive DriveBAKERSFIELD, CA (April 24, 2023) – Late Monday afternoon, Ben Cano was fatally struck in a pedestrian crash on Highway 99.Officers were dispatched to the scene around 4:00 p.m., on the southbound lanes of the freeway near Olive Drive on April 17th.Per reports, the driver of a southbound Chevrolet struck Cano who was crossing the southbound lanes, heading east.Following preliminary duties, investigators say another vehicle slowed down causing Cano to be struck.Medics arrived and transported 32-year-old Cano to Kern Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.Meanwhile, the drivers involved did not suffer any injuries and impairment was not related to the crash. Also, the traffic in the southbound lanes was affected due to the crash.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. Deepest condolences and sympathies are with the family and friends of Ben Cano.Los...

Ahren Walker Jackalone Killed in Motorcycle Collision on North 4th Avenue [Tucson, AZ]

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:00:18 GMT

50-Year-Old Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident near East 7th StreetTUCSON, AZ (April 24, 2023) – Thursday night, Ahren Walker Jackalone was killed in a motorcycle crash on North 4th Avenue.Authorities responded to the scene around 10:20 p.m., on the 400 block of North 4th Avenue near East 7th Street.Per reports, Jackalone was riding a motorcycle above the 25mph posted speed limit and struck a center median where two female pedestrians were sitting.As a result, both pedestrians suffered minor to serious injuries and were taken to Banner University Medical Center.Due to the extent of injuries sustained, medics later pronounced 50-year-old Jackalone dead. Meanwhile, crews listed the pedestrians in stable condition.Following preliminary duties, police stated that speed and improper use of the center lane were the main contributing factors. At this time, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway.Sincere sympathies to the family and friends ...

Evil Dead Rise: Demonic Murders in the Building

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:00:18 GMT

In 1981, director Sam Raimi headed out to the backwoods of Tennessee with a few buddies to make a low-budget indie pic that would change both their lives and those of horror film enthusiasts everywhere. Since then, the Evil Dead world has been thriving. There have been sequels, a remake, and a boisterous TV series (starring fan fave Bruce Campbell) that has let loose upon the Earth more Deadites, Kandarian demons, and Sumarian Books of the Dead than you can shake a chainsaw at. And now, in the year of our lord 2023, we have the new chapter in the series, Evil Dead Rise, which promises enough carnage to make previous excursions look like kiddie romps. So does it make good on that promise? And does it tell a compelling story? Yep…Written and directed by Lee Cronin (The Hole in the Ground), Evil Dead Rise takes Raimi’s Deadites from rural cabins to an apartment building in Los Angeles where a strange yet oddly familiar book is unearthed yet again. The story follows Beth (Lily Sullivan)...

Who Are the People Using Sex Robots Anyway?

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:00:18 GMT

There are no limits to sexual fantasies. If you’re a regular porn viewer, you probably chanced upon videos of what many would find — well — weird. However, sex robots, though odd to some, there are those who would engage in sex acts with this technologically-advanced contraption.Study: These Types of People Are Open to Using Sex Robots Concordia University researchers surveyed people to see which personality traits (that the participants possess) are more open to having sex with robots — and which types of people aren’t open to the idea of engaging in erotic acts with the droids. According to Dr. Simon Dubé, one of the head researchers and former Concordia Public Scholar, “We found that erotophilia and sexual sensation–seeking, as well as an enthusiasm for new, diverse or more intense erotic experiences, were the primary drivers behind people’s willingness to engage with these new technologies,”Erotophilia and erotophobia, according to a journal published by the Journal of Sex...

‘I am stunned’: Don Lemon and CNN part ways

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:00:18 GMT

CNN has parted ways with longtime host Don Lemon. The announcement Monday came without explanation and astonished the media industry.“Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years,” said CNN CEO Chris Licht in a memo to staff. “We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors.”Lemon anchored “CNN This Morning” with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins. The show has been on the air for nearly six months.“We are committed to its success,” Licht said of the morning show.In a statement of his own, Lemon said his agent told him Monday morning that CNN had terminated him.“I am stunned,” Lemon said, arguing that management did not have “the decency” to inform him of his firing directly. “At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network,” Lemon addedCNN rebutted Lemon, calling his version of events “inaccurate.”“He was offered an opportunity...

Australian comedian famed for portraying Dame Edna Everage dies at 89

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:00:18 GMT

By Rod McGuirk | Associated PressCANBERRA, Australia — Tony Award-winning comedian Barry Humphries, internationally renowned for his garish stage persona Dame Edna Everage, a condescending and imperfectly-veiled snob whose evolving character has delighted audiences over seven decades, has died. He was 89.His death in the Sydney hospital, where he spent several days with complications following hip surgery, was confirmed by his family.“He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit,” a family statement said. “With over 70 years on the stage, he was an entertainer to his core, touring up until the last year of his life and planning more shows that will sadly never be.”Humphries had lived in London for decades and returned to native Australia in December for Christmas.He told The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper last month that his physiotherapy had been “agony” following his fall...

San Francisco homicide: 5 shot in North Beach

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:00:18 GMT

Five people were shot, one of them fatally, in an attack Sunday night in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood.The shooting was reported at 10:58 p.m. near Grant and Columbus avenues.A 23-year-old man died at the scene; the four others were expected to survive, the San Francisco police said.“Investigators believe this was not a random attack,” the police statement said.No more information was released about the victims or any suspect.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Bay Area homicides 2023: Map and details