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Illinois State Police arrest eight in Springfield human trafficking bust

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:54:01 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) - Eight men from across Illinois are under arrest following an Illinois State Police operation to combat human trafficking in the Springfield area.State Police officials said the operation happened Aug. 9 and 10 and it was focused on identifying people seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. As a result, the following people were arrested on the listed charges:David L. Kraemer, 41 of Lovington – indecent solicitation of a child, travelling to meet a minorCody R. Jones, 34 of Springfield – indecent solicitation of a child, travelling to meet a minorShannan C. Morrow, 52 of White Hall – indecent solicitation of a child, travelling to meet a minor, sexual exploitation of a childEdgar G. Mendoza, 32 of Springfield – indecent solicitation of a child, travelling to meet a minorPhillip J. Smith, 43 of Rochester – indecent solicitation of a child, travelling to meet a minorTimothy E. Smith, 28 of Springfield – indecent solicitation of a child (2 counts...

Editorial: Frustrated by Denver’s new trash fee? It’s likely worse than you know.

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:54:01 GMT

In June 2022, the Denver City Council concocted a scheme to begin charging residents a fee for trash services with the goal of increasing composting and decreasing the amount of trash headed to Denver landfills.The “pay as you throw” plan hasn’t failed by every metric, but Denverites’ frustration over the added fees and poor service is palpable.Sure, the city claims that since the program began six months ago the amount of trash headed to landfills has decreased by 3%. That is likely almost completely in response to the increased recycling service, which now comes weekly instead of every other week. It is hard to believe that the improvement is in any way a reflection of composting or the new “pay as you throw” policy with different-sized bins costing different amounts.Despite the fee starting months ago, most residents haven’t received the promised increase in services for compost or even the smaller, less expensive bins that would help reduce th...

Hilary becomes a hurricane, continues track toward California

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:54:01 GMT

Hilary intensified from a tropical storm into a Category 1 hurricane in the Pacific Thursday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. Satellite and radar show the storm continues to be on a track to reach Southern California later this weekend as a tropical storm, or possibly stronger.“I’m not saying this will be a Category 1 Hurricane but it’s going to be awfully close when it arrives in Southern California on late Sunday into Monday," KTLA meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said. A Category 1 hurricane reaching Southern California would be extremely rare. A hurricane is believed to have hit the San Diego area in 1858. Tropical storm watches were issued Thursday for the southern portion of Baja California Sur, the Hurricane Center stated in its forecast.Hilary is forecast to reach Category 3 status at some point Saturday before likely arriving in Southern California as a tropical storm late Sunday or Monday.The storm is forecast to drop several i...

DAZZLE ME: Unveiling the Epitome of Beauty Innovation with the Joint Lab in New York and Los Angeles

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:54:01 GMT

In an unprecedented move that is set to redefine the landscape of beauty innovation, DAZZLE ME proudly announces the establishment of its groundbreaking joint laboratory, seamlessly merging the creative forces of two iconic cities in United States: New York and Los Angeles.DAZZLE ME, a popular cosmetics brand in Asia Pacific, renowned for its pioneering approach to beauty and unwavering commitment to excellence, is set to make its mark on the global stage. The strategic union of two of America’s most influential beauty hubs signifies a commitment to unlocking new dimensions in cosmetics and personal care. With an ethos deeply rooted in creative exploration, DAZZLE ME has consistently pushed the boundaries of beauty standards. The brand’s visionary approach to makeup has garnered a loyal following, both regionally and internationally.A Beacon of InnovationDAZZLE ME’s foray into the United States signifies more than just expansion—it represents a bold step towards in...

Maui Relief At The Strand House and Dog Days of Summer – Here’s What’s Popping Up

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:54:01 GMT

The Strand House in Manhattan Beach will host a Maui fire recovery fundraiser event on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m., at its first floor StrandBar. Priced at $100 per ticket, the event will feature live performances from local musicians along with the restaurant’s full food, beverage and cocktail menus available for purchase, with 100% of ticket, food and drink sales to be donated directly to those who have been displaced, lost homes, businesses and belongings through Hawaii Community Foundation, and for the animals and pets displaced and injured, a partnership with the Maui Humane Society. The event is for ages 21+, tickets are available on Resy now.On Sunday, Aug. 20, Abernethy’s at the Music Center will host a Puppy Yoga Event in celebration of Toni’s Menu, the restaurant’s new menu for dogs. There will be a free hour-long yoga class from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by puppy playtime. There will be free dog treats for dogs who come with their humans, plus a special human happy hour...

Larry Magid: Backing up is not hard to do

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:54:01 GMT

The most tragic consequence of the recent Maui fires is, of course, loss of life. There was also horrific property loss. What you don’t hear much about on the news is the loss of data, but I’m sure many people who had to flee quickly didn’t have time to grab their computer or an external backup drive.Related ArticlesBusiness | Magid: Being courteous in your use of technology Business | Magid: Time to think about back-to-school devices and policies Business | Magid: Google’s back in the game with its new Pixel Tablet Business | Magid: Inexpensive speakers for outdoor listening Losing everything on your computer may not be tragic, but it can be pretty devastating, especially if it includes important records and documents, precious photos and other cherished digital keepsakes.  Fortunately, there are easy and relatively inexpensive ways to back everything up.In a moment, I’ll cover external drives, which can be very ...

Early morning dogwalker dies in freak accident near her California home

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:54:01 GMT

A California woman walking her dog before dawn stepped on downed power lines, and both she and the dog were killed.The deaths occurred around 5 a.m. Wednesday along Whitesbridge Avenue (Highway 180), a rural road southeast of Mendota, Fresno County sheriff’s officials said. The woman lived in the area.Two days earlier, a power pole along the road had caught fire and was extinguished by a crew from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The pole was apparently left weakened and toppled in the early hours of Wednesday.In the darkness, the woman is thought to have failed to see the live wires on the ground. Emergency crews called to the scene tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate her, the sheriff’s report said.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Sailboat stays stuck at Stinson Beach as owner works to remove it Crashes and Disasters | Pedestrian hit and killed by train Tuesday in Gilroy Crashes and Disasters | ...

Steve Young on the 49ers’ QBs and the expectations hanging over them

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:54:01 GMT

Worried about how the 49ers’ quarterback situation is going to shake out with Brock Purdy throwing practice interceptions and Trey Lance trying to hold off Sam Darnold as the backup?Steve Young isn’t worried. Not even a little.The former 49ers quarterback and Hall of Famer was back on his regular gig with the flagship on KNBR Wednesday and was talking comeback at age 61. OK, he wasn’t serious, but Young does love how the 49ers have been put together for 2023 under coach Kyle Shanahan.“Please, just let me play,” Young told hosts Tom Tolbert and Adam Copeland. “I’m just saying it’s an incredible place to be right now, playing quarterback for this team, and being part of this roster that’s been put together. All of that builds natural expectations that are real.”A condensed version of some of Young’s thoughts on the 49ers’ quarterbacks:On Purdy’s supposedly limited skill set“He’s not 6-5, 225 and ...

Britney Spears ‘alone in her house,’ without support system after Sam Asghari files for divorce: report

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:54:01 GMT

With Sam Asghari moving out, filing for divorce and reportedly threatening to spill dirt about their marriage, Britney Spears’ has been left alone in her house without anyone close to support her through her latest personal crisis, a report says.Before things got ugly between them, the 29-year-old Asghari was Spears’ “strongest supporter” as she tried to rebuild her life after she was freed from a 13-year conservatorship, sources told TMZ. But now that the actor and personal trainer is “fully out of her life,” Spears, 41, has no other family to lean on, with sources telling TMZ that “she just isn’t capable of handling things on her own.”HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 22: Britney Spears (L) and Sam Asghari arrive at the premiere of Sony Pictures’ “One Upon A Time…In Hollywood” at the Chinese Theatre on July 22, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) Spears is not on spe...

Twitter-DOJ spat over Donald Trump data raised questions on Elon Musk’s role

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:54:01 GMT

By Zoe Tillman | BloombergThe room was locked when prosecutors from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office and lawyers from the company then known as Twitter Inc. appeared Feb. 9 before a federal judge in Washington.The secrecy was needed to prevent word from reaching the subject of the court fight: Donald Trump.US District Judge Beryl Howell was concerned that the parties were already back two days after they’d argued before her. On Feb. 7, she’d rejected Twitter’s request for a delay in giving records to the government. The social media company had asked for more time to fight an order stopping them from alerting Trump about the warrant for his “@realDonaldTrump” account.Howell also had questioned the company’s opposition to the nondisclosure order, even asking whether the CEO, Elon Musk, was trying to “cozy up” to Trump. The company’s attorney had insisted that wasn’t the case.Two days later, Thomas Windom, a lead prosecutor in Smith’s office, said Twitter still hadn’t fully complie...