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Opinion: Colorado church says alcohol is fine but cannabis is “disastrous” in a deeply flawed pastoral letter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:56 GMT

The archbishop for the Archdiocese of Denver has some thoughts on cannabis legalization, and he dropped them Nov. 10 in the form of a 9,000-word open “pastoral letter.”In his message, Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila, the highest-ranking Catholic official in the Mile High City, made a strong — and deeply flawed — critique of the plant’s use and its impact on Colorado communities calling it “disastrous to our society.”With respect and a shared concern for the well-being of our communities, I humbly write to offer a different perspective on cannabis legalization and use. It is vital to approach this complex topic with a blend of compassion, reason, and an understanding of historical context.In his letter, the archbishop conflates cannabis with drugs like fentanyl and connects it to societal problems like homelessness. Rather than presenting strong supporting evidence for his arguments, the archbishop appears to lean on the debunked “gateway drug” theory, and in doing s...

'City-block-sized' area of structures burning in South Los Angeles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:56 GMT

Firefighters are responding to a massive fire burning multiple structures that were under construction in the Central-Alameda neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday morning. The fire erupted around 3:25 a.m. and involved a "city-block-sized area" of structures, according to an alert from the Los Angeles Fire Department. A fire burning in the Central-Alameda neighborhood is seen on Nov. 28, 2023. (Key News)Additional structures are threatened on all sides, the alert stated.Over 140 firefighters were assigned to the incident and are making good progress, the fire department stated at 4:30 a.m. Crews assisted residents who were asked to evacuate their homes during the firefight. Tragic Thanksgiving Day crash kills young mother and daughter There was no word on what may have caused the fire or if any injuries were reported. Check back for updates on this developing story.

Los Angeles among cities cracking down on homeless encampments. Advocates say it's not an answer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:56 GMT

(AP) — Tossing tent poles, blankets and a duffel bag into a shopping cart and three wagons, Will Taylor spent a summer morning helping friends tear down what had been their home and that of about a dozen others. It wasn't the first time and wouldn't be the last.Contractors from the city of Portland had arrived to break down the stretch of tents and tarps on a side street behind a busy intersection. People had an hour to vacate the encampment, one of more than a dozen cleared that July day, according to city data.Whatever they couldn't take with them was placed in clear plastic bags, tagged with the date and location of the removal and sent to an 11,000-square-foot (1,020 square meter) warehouse storing thousands like them.A woman gathers possessions to take before a homeless encampment was cleaned up in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. Cities across the U.S. are struggling with and cracking down on tent encampments as the number of homeless people grows, largely due to a lack ...

Santa Cruz bridge crash, dramatic leap leaves two injured

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:56 GMT

SANTA CRUZ — A 61-year-old Soquel man was facing allegations of felony DUI after crashing into two pedestrians on the Murray Street bridge last week.The driver, Barry Belcher, was traveling across the bridge around 2:20 p.m. Friday when he apparently became unconscious after suffering a drug-related medical emergency, said Santa Cruz Deputy Police Chief Jon Bush. His vehicle drove up onto the bridge’s sidewalk, where a man and woman were crossing. The woman was struck by the car while the man lept over the side of the bridge toward the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor to avoid the vehicle, Bush said. The man, however, first landed on a cement planter box below and then fell into the water. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital while the man was airlifted to an out-of-county trauma center.Santa Cruz Fire, Central Fire Protection District, American Medical Response and Santa Cruz Harbor Patrol responded to the crash. Good Samaritan Dara Gray Tynefield said she and her family were amon...

Recipes: This holiday season, give gifts you made in the kitchen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:56 GMT

My hankering for homemade holiday treats started with my Aunt Lillian’s peanut brittle. Throughout my childhood, every year her nut-laden gift of candy arrived a few days before Christmas. Packed loosey-goosey in a pristine coffee can, Lillian’s crunchy confections disappeared far too quickly.Those jagged brittle bits fueled my appreciation for delicious gifts from the home kitchen.Here are some gift ideas designed to be both easy to prepare and tasty:A dry concoction for making hot chocolate goes together quickly. The recipient combines a portion of the mix with milk in a saucepan; on the heat, the mixture is whisked while the good stuff simmers. Marshmallows or whipped cream are optional.There’s so much to love about Bourbon Balls. Yes, they are easy to prepare, plus and they can be made a week in advance and stored airtight in the fridge. The adult appeal of their unmistakable bourbon flavor doesn’t hurt either.Chef-restauranteur Zov Karamardian has a signature jumble cookie that...

32,000 hybrid Jeep Wrangler SUVs recalled over potential fire risk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:56 GMT

Stellantis on Wednesday announced a recall of more than 32,000 of its hybrid Jeep Wrangler SUVs because they pose a potential fire risk.As part of what the company described as a routine review of customer information, Stellantis determined that eight of the hybrid Wranglers had caught fire while they were turned off and parked. Six of the vehicles were being charged when the fires started. The company said it doesn’t believe anyone was hurt in the fires.The recall covers 2021-2024 models of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe SUVs. All other Wrangler models have been deemed safe by Stellantis, which maintains its U.S. headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.The SUVs affected by the recall can still be driven until they are fixed, but Stellantis is recommending they be parked away from buildings and not be charged until they can be repaired. The fixes involve either resetting or updating the software, or replacing the vehicle’s battery pack.Stellantis plans to contact the owners of the SUVs that n...

Ex-Marine Corps Reservist from California sentenced for lying to FBI during terrorism investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:56 GMT

A former U.S. Marine Corps reservist from Irvine was sentenced on Monday, Mov. 27, to three years and 10 months in prison for lying to the FBI about communicating with someone who had expressed interest in joining a foreign terrorist organization in an online chat group.Jason Fong, now 27, was initially accused of trying to help two foreign terrorist organizations, including by allegedly providing information on how to make chemical weapons and bombs.Federal prosecutors, at the time of Fong’s indictment in early 2022, accused him of compiling and providing tactical, combat and weapons-training materials, along with information on how to make chemical weapons, booby traps and improvised-explosive devices, to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a terrorist organization in Syria.He was also accused of trying to provide support — in the form of fundraising and money — to the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing.Fong was accused of communicating with a minor who wanted to join Hay’at Tahrir al-Sh...

Disneyland files construction permits for $8 million food hall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:56 GMT

A new $8 million food hall-style concept offering Korean rice bowls, fried chicken sandwiches and Caribbean-inspired coffee with a second-story outdoor bar will occupy a new 11,000-square-foot building under construction at Downtown Disney.Disneyland filed building permits valued at $8.2 million in October with the city of Anaheim for Downtown Disney construction, according to city records.The new Parkside Market in Downtown Disney’s west end is expected to open by late 2024.The commercial construction permits filed with the Anaheim Planning and Building Department call for a quick service restaurant with four separate concepts and outdoor dining on the second floor.The Seoul Sister restaurant is coming to Downtown Disney in 2024. (Courtesy of Disney) The four new Parkside Market food and beverage concepts include:Seoul Sister – Bibimbap Korean rice bowls with a California twist and an Asian-inspired breakfast menu from Executive Chef Kelly Kim.Sip & Sonder – Los Angeles-ba...

Killer of California cop in 1983 is sentenced to life in prison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:56 GMT

The man thrice convicted of killing of a Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer in a brutal 1983 Lake View Terrace shooting was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Monday, Nov. 27.Kenneth Earl Gay, 65, and a co-defendant were convicted of killing Officer Paul Verna with a flurry of gunshots following a traffic stop on Hoyt Street all those years ago.Once again, after his latest trial and sentencing, Gay faced Verna’s family to hear how his actions that day shattered their lives forever. Again, he sat quietly as he listened to Verna’s widow and two sons tell him they’ll never stop seeking justice. Gay did not speak during the sentencing hearing.After so many years, it was clear how long Verna’s family and Gay have had to contend with each other: From his original criminal trial just over four decades ago, to seeing Gay’s case dismissed twice and the retrials that followed, both sides have now tangled in court for longer than Verna, killed at 35 ...

Jarvis: Hospitals are shortchanging Black cancer patients

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:56 GMT

A new analysis from researchers at the American Cancer Society suggests that the distressing disparity in outcomes for Black and White colon cancer patients could narrow if hospitals simply treated all patients with the same level of high-quality care.The disparity in rates and deaths from colorectal cancer among Black people has been a longstanding problem in cancer care. Black individuals are 20% more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer and 40% more likely to die from it. They’re also more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age than their White counterparts.Many theories have been floated to explain the poorer prognosis for Black patients. Access to high-quality care has long been considered the main culprit, with various other factors potentially contributing: delayed screening, being treated at subpar facilities, health insurance status and socioeconomic barriers to consistent care, like lack of paid sick leave or transportation to treatment.But those issues can’t account ...