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Theft of $1.5M meant for children’s hospitals nets 16-year sentence for Castle Rock man

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:13 GMT

William Schwartz, 44, was convicted of two counts of felony theft by a jury in May. (Denver District Attorney’s Office)A man who stole $1.5 million from two Shriners groups, including money meant to cover life-saving medical flights for children, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.The punishment, unusually stiff for a white-collar crime here, followed a three-hour hearing Friday at which Judge Adam Espinosa heard about the life and crimes of William Schwartz.“The money that you took — the average income in our community is $78,000,” Espinosa told the 44-year-old. “$1.5 million — many in our community won’t earn that in their lives.”While he was treasurer of the El Jebel Shrine Association in Denver from 2014 to 2019, the Castle Rock man moved more than $1.2 million that had been earmarked for the fraternal organization and Shriners Hospitals for Children to bank accounts for his companies.Then, in 2019, Schwartz became treasurer of the Order of Quetzalcoatl, a Masonic group th...

EPA settles with Suncor after finding violations during inspection following clay-like gunk spew

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:13 GMT

The Environmental Protection Agency reached a settlement agreement with Suncor Energy after the federal agency found multiple flaws in the Commerce City refinery’s safety reporting systems during a 2020 inspection.The EPA’s inspection followed a 2019 malfunction that caused the refinery to spew ash and a clay-like gunk across the area, prompting anger in the surrounding community and attention from state lawmakers and regulators. Suncor officials apologized and offered free car washes after the mess blanketed neighborhoods.Under the settlement agreement, Suncor will pay $60,000 in civil penalties and spend $240,030 on equipment for the South Adams County Fire Department that will help firefighters respond to chemical release accidents at the refinery, according to an EPA news release.The EPA’s inspection, which took place over three days in September 2020, found Suncor failed to timely report two chemical releases and failed to report sulfuric acid in its industria...

Climate change means higher insurance premiums

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:13 GMT

The insurance industry has long relied on data and actuarial tables that quantify risk and determine policyholder costs.That data has largely been thrown out the window.Climate change means erratic temperatures, more storms and more wildfires. Which is to say, it's a whole new game for insurers.The president of Aon, one of the world's largest insurance brokers, testified before a congressional panel a few months ago that insurers are responding to climate change by raising costs and exiting high-risk markets such as California. Photos: Tropical Storm Hilary batters Southern California Aon's Eric Anderson told lawmakers that climate uncertainty has created "a crisis of confidence around the ability to predict loss."He added: "Just as the U.S. economy was overexposed to mortgage risk in 2008, the economy today is overexposed to climate risk."Sunday's storm and earthquake in Southern California served as a harsh reminder that flooding and quakes aren't covered by most homeowner polic...

Tori Spelling reveals she's been in the hospital for days

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:13 GMT

Actress Tori Spelling revealed on social media that she's been in the hospital for four days. In a photo to her Instagram Stories, which has now disappeared, the "Beverly Hills, 90210" alum posted a photo of a hospital band around her wrist and an IV in her hand.The photo was posted on Aug 20.“4th day here and I’m missing my kiddos so much," the text over the photo read. "Grateful and so proud of my strong, brave, resilient, and kind to the core children who remain positive no matter what comes our way.”Her hospital bracelet shows Spelling was admitted on Aug 17. It's not known if she was still in the hospital on Monday. She has not revealed the reason for her hospitalization.The social media post comes over three months after Spelling revealed she discovered "extreme mold" in her home after her children started falling ill quite frequently. Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott arrive at the FOX Summer TCA 2019 All-Star Party at Fox Studios on August 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California....

'I don't know that we're going to recover'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:13 GMT

Residents of Oak Glen say their town may never be the same after Tropical Story Hilary's rain caused a mudslide that overwhelmed buildings and roads in this San Bernardino County mountain community. "I don't know that we're ever going to recover from this," Kyle McLaughlin, whose family owns a restaurant there, told KTLA Monday while surveying the damage.A large mud and debris flow swept through Oak Glen late Sunday when Hilary, the first tropical storm to hit California in 83 years, dumped heavy rain in the mountains and deserts of the Inland Empire. A fast-moving mud and debris flow closed Oak Glen Road at Pendleton on Aug. 20, 2023. (Inland News)Thankfully, no injuries or deaths were reported, but the recovery will likely take months or years.

Taylor Swift’s team met with police ahead of Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff’s wedding

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:13 GMT

All weekend, people fumed on social media at the way people mobbed the New Jersey wedding festivities of actor Margaret Qualley and record producer Jack Antonoff due to the presence of one particular celebrity guest — Taylor Swift.Some people grumbled that Swift was hogging attention from the bride and groom, but most social media users were upset that a mob of errant Swifties couldn’t give their hero a break and let her and her friends enjoy the wedding in peace.Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley attend the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) Swift, of course, is no stranger to the fact that she draws crowds. And, being a respectful wedding guest and considerate friend, she had her team meet with police in Beach Haven, the town on Long Beach Island off the coast of New Jersey, where Qualley and Antonoff’s wedding took place, TMZ reported.Bea...

Contra Costa deputy briefly hospitalized after vehicle pursuit ends in Oakand freeway crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:13 GMT

OAKLAND — A Contra Costa County sheriff’s deputy was briefly hospitalized early Saturday when their vehicle was struck by a truck that was being pursued, authorities said.The pursuit began about 1:55 a.m. Saturday after a deputy attempted to make a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle in El Sobrante. Authorities did not give the reason for the attempted stop.The truck, a Chevrolet Silverado, went westbound on Interstate 80 into Oakland, eastbound on Interstate 580 and then eastbound on Highway 24, authorities said.When the truck got near the 51st Street exit the driver slammed on the brakes, turned the vehicle around and collided with a marked sheriff’s patrol car that was involved in the pursuit, authorities said.The sheriff’s office did not say if the deputy in the car was the one who initiated the pursuit or a deputy who later joined in the chase.The suspect tried to flee on foot but was subsequently arrested. The sheriff’s office did not provide ...

Hatch chile season: Mollie Stone’s markets mark 10th year of roasting events, deli menu

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:13 GMT

Hatch chiles, the signature crop of Hatch, New Mexico, are ripe and ready for roasting.Again this year, Mollie Stone’s markets in the Bay Area are partnering with Melissa’s Produce to roast these famous chiles — they have several tons’ worth — for their customers. Some folks take them home to use in recipes (they freeze well, the produce managers say); others scarf them down right there.Hatch chiles are known for their earthy, meaty flavor that develops during the Hatch Valley’s hot days and cool nights. Fans say the chiles’ heat level can be unpredictable.Customers may pick up roasted chiles on Thursdays or at weekend chile-roasting sessions, which run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Remaining dates for this 10th season are this Sunday, Aug. 27, at the San Mateo store; Sept. 2 at the Burlingame store; Sept. 3 at the San Francisco/Twin Peaks location; and Sept. 9 in Palo Alto. For preorders and details, go to https://catering.molliestones.com/items/folder/hatch-chile.Want to Hatch out without...

Tests show Richmond day spa likely source of Legionnaire’s disease outbreak that killed two

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:13 GMT

MARTINEZ — A Richmond day spa was the likely source where bacteria grew and caused a Legionnaires’ disease breakout that killed two people and sickened at least two more earlier this month, health officials said Monday.The Contra Costa Health Services Department began investigating the Zen Day Spa at 12230 San Pablo Ave. on Aug. 4. The deaths occurred on Aug. 3 and 4, health officials said during an online news conference Monday.Both people who died became ill days after visiting the spa.Health officials in a statement released Monday afternoon said two other people who visited the business became ill with Legionnaire’s disease, which was confirmed by lab tests. They recovered, as did two others who reported becoming ill after visiting the spa and whom investigators suspect of having had the disease.Health officials said they are not identifying the two dead or the other four people, in accordance with medical privacy laws. Officials said they would discuss their f...

Spectacular Round Hill Country Club home with modern design, expansive yard and scenic vistas

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:13 GMT

Located in Round Hill Country Club, one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most desirable residential areas, this stunning Contemporary home combines sophisticated elegance with charming ease plus captivating views.The location is private, at the end of a private road with lots of level yard space, pool/spa, large patio for entertaining, large deck overlooking the 6th Fairway and clubhouse plus views of Las Trampas and Del Valle ridges.This four-bedroom, plus office, three-and-a-half-bathroom home is mostly single-level living and a spacious 4,544 square feet on a 1.83-acre lot. The amazing setting and nice updates throughout make this home an incredible opportunity!Listing agent: Jeff Snell, Village Associates Real Estate (925) 253-6459 office (925) 765-8700 mobile; [email protected]; www.jeffsnell.com