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Man admits to spraying white supremacist graffiti on Latina mural in Costa Mesa

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:39 GMT

A Dana Point man was sentenced to jail Friday after he pleaded guilty to federal vandalism and felony hate crime charges for spray-painting white supremacist graffiti over a mural in Costa Mesa that honors strong Latina women.Daniel Alec Hotte, 28, was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of spraying the mural, entitled "Poderosas." The 70-foot-long mural on the 3000 block of Killybrooke Lane was painted by an all-female crew led by artist Alicia Rojas in 2020 to honor eight strong women, including civil rights leader Dolores Huerta and activist and local heroine Modesta Avila.In October 2022, Hotte was seen by several witnesses, scratching out the names of some of the women listed, as well as painted "white power," and other white supremacist phrases on the painting.Police were called but Hotte fled the scene before their arrival. He was arrested earlier this year as he arrived for a court date for an unrelated incident.On Friday, Hotte pleaded guilty to his charges and was imme...

Richmond: Convicted baby killers sentenced to 25 years to life

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:39 GMT

MARTINEZ — A Richmond man and woman were sentenced Friday to 25 years to life for killing their 5-week-old son through neglect, exposure to drugs, and beatings.Ray Ray Darn 37, and Marilyn Northington, 30, received the identical sentences at a Friday morning court appearance before Judge Terri Mockler. In October, Darn and Northington were acquitted of murder but convicted of assault on a child causing death and involuntary manslaughter in the death of their son, Amary Darn.Amary suffered extensive, horrific injuries and ailments that included broken bones in multiple places, sores, burns, starvation and methamphetamine in his bloodstream. Amary died in February 2021, after going unresponsive in the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Richmond, where he, his parents, and siblings were living through a Greater Richmond Interfaith Program that used the Hilltop area hotel to provide housing for people who couldn’t afford it during the coronavirus pandemic.During trial, both parents...

Judge: Oregon lawmakers who walked out can’t run again

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:39 GMT

By Claire Rush | Associated PressPORTLAND, Ore. — A federal judge has rejected a request from Oregon Republican state senators who boycotted the Legislature to be allowed on the ballot after their terms end.U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken issued the decision Wednesday.State Sens. Dennis Linthicum, Brian Boquist and Cedric Hayden were among the plaintiffs who filed the federal lawsuit to challenge their disqualification from running for reelection under Measure 113. The voter-approved constitutional amendment, which passed by a wide margin last year, bars legislators from seeking reelection after 10 or more unexcused absences.Each of the three senators racked up more than 10 absences during a record six-week walkout that paralyzed the 2023 legislative session. The boycott stemmed from bills on abortion, transgender health care and guns.The lawmakers sought, among other things, a preliminary injunction to prevent the secretary of state’s office from enforcing their disqualif...

Google workers, others hold ‘die-in’ over Project Nimbus contract with Israel

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:39 GMT

Hundreds of protesters rallied in San Francisco this week against Google’s Project Nimbus cloud-computing contract with the Israeli government.About a dozen protesters outside Google’s offices on Market Street laid down Thursday on the sidewalk under white shrouds marked with “Genocide” in Google’s trademark colors.Marching to drums, protesters chanted, “Google, Google, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide.”Bay Area Google software engineer and protest organizer Rachel Westrick said a significant number of the activists were Google employees, but an exact number was not available. Workers at the Mountain View tech giant have been agitating against Project Nimbus since it was announced in 2021, gathering more than 1,000 signatures on an internal company petition demanding Google drop it, Westrick said.People protest outside Google offices in San Francisco, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. Demonstrators protested Google’s contract w...

Sharks put one center on IR, acquire another one from Vancouver Canucks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:39 GMT

The San Jose Sharks picked some organizational center depth Friday as they acquired  Jack Studnicka from the Vancouver Canucks for defenseman Nick Cicek and a 2024 sixth-round draft pick.Studnicka, 24, is in his fifth pro season and has split time this year between the AHL and NHL. With the Canucks, he had one goal in five games.Studnicka was with Abbotsford, the Canucks’ AHL affiliate, in Tucson, Ariz. Per the Sharks, Studnicka will drive to Tempe tonight to join the team, which is playing the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena at 6 p.m. (PST). He will not play tonight.Studnicka, listed at 6-foot-1 and 187 points, will be added to the Sharks’ roster on Saturday and be available to play in San Jose’s game against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday in Denver.The Sharks created a roster spot for Studnicka by placing center Nico Sturm on injured reserve. Sturm was hurt during Tuesday’s game with the Winnipeg Jets and did not travel with the team.Studnicka has 16 poi...

Oakland robbers chase, ram victim's car at Lake Merritt

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:39 GMT

(KRON) -- A harrowing Oakland car chase stretched from International Boulevard to Lakeshore Avenue until one vehicle flipped on its roof next to Lake Merritt around sunrise Friday. Oakland Police Department officers said the incident began on the 800 block of International Boulevard where three vehicles began following a victim's car.The victim realized he was being followed and tried to drive away, only to be chased and rammed by hostile drivers behind him.A car flipped and landed on the Lake Merritt walking trail on Dec. 15, 2023. (AIO FILMZ) The victim said he called 911 while he was trying to escape, but emergency dispatchers placed his call on hold. A freelance videographer said she witnessed multiple cars chasing the victim's vehicle along Lakeshore Avenue.Oakland police officer Rosalia Lopez wrote, "One of the vehicles collided with the victim’s vehicle, causing the victim’s vehicle to rollover."A car flipped and landed on the Lake Merritt walking trail on Dec. 15, 2023. (AIO...

7 displaced, firefighter injured in Saratoga condominium complex fire

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:39 GMT

(KRON) -- Crews responded to a fire at a condominium complex in Saratoga on Friday, the Santa Clara County Fire Department announced on X. Around 11:58 a.m., multiple condominium units in the area of Stoneridge Drive had been affected by the blaze.Seven people were displaced due to the fire. One firefighter sustained a minor injury, officials said. However, county officials said no residents were home during the fire. Santa Clara County Fire Department did not specify if the seven displaced people lived at or near the complex. Photos of the scene of the fire can be viewed below. SFO worker wins $20M after buying Scratchers ticket in East Bay (Santa Clara County Fire Department)(Santa Clara County Fire Department)It is unknown how the fire started. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

US government injects confusion into Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:39 GMT

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The U.S. government injected confusion into next year’s presidential election in Venezuela on Friday by incorrectly suggesting opposition leader Maria Corina Machado had filed an appeal to reverse her ban on running for office.Machado subsequently sidestepped questions about whether she had been pressured by the Biden administration to appear before Venezuela’s highest court, but she made a veiled criticism of the U.S. comment, saying she wished she had been able to announce her actions herself.A tweet from the U.S. government’s unit that oversees Venezuelan affairs praised Machado’s “courage and willingness” to appeal the ban. But as she left the country’s highest court Friday evening, she told reporters she did not file an appeal because she has not been officially notified of the ban announced against her in June.“I am not going to resort to that procedure,” she said of the appeal process.Instead, Machado, a longtime foe of the ruling party and win...

Pirates finalize deal with Tellez, acquire Olivares from Royals

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:39 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rowdy Tellez and the Pirates finalized their $3.2 million, one-year contract on Friday, when Pittsburgh also acquired outfielder Edward Olivares from the Kansas City Royals for minor league outfielder Deivis Nadal.Tellez, a first baseman and designated hitter, can earn $800,000 in performance bonuses as part of the deal.Olivares, 27, hit .263 with 12 homers and 36 RBIs last season. He has a .261 average with 24 homers and 73 RBIs in parts of four seasons with San Diego (2020) and the Royals.The 21-year-old Nadal hit .212 with eight homers, 39 RBIs and 33 stolen bases in 101 games for Class A Bradenton last season.The 28-year-old Tellez hit .215 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs for Milwaukee in 2023. The left-handed batter is a career .233 hitter in six seasons with Toronto and Milwaukee.Right-hander Roddery Muñoz was designated for assignment by the Pirates.The Pirates entered the offseason in need of help at first base. They began 2022 with Carlos Santana at the posi...

Michael Wacha gets $32M, 2-year deal with Royals, Hunter Renfroe $13M contract, AP sources say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:39 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals general manager J.J. Picollo knew he needed to upgrade his rotation and fill a corner outfield spot this offseason.He took care of both tasks Friday.In the latest moves in what has become a busy offseason in Kansas City, the Royals agreed to a $32 million, two-year deal with pitcher Michael Wacha and a $13 million, two-year contract with outfielder Hunter Renfroe, people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreements had not been announced.Wacha’s deal calls for a $16 million salary next season and contains a $16 million player option for 2025, while Renfroe will get a $5.5 million salary next season with a $7.5 million player option for 2025 and a $1 million buyout.In addition. the Royals traded outfielder Edward Olivares to the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league outfielder Deivis Nadal. The 21-year-old Nadal hit .212 with eight homers, 39 RBIs and 33 stolen bases in 1...