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LGBTQ flag burned at North Hollywood elementary school ahead of controversial Pride assembly

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:39 GMT

A North Hollywood elementary school was the site of a possible hate crime earlier this month.Saticoy Elementary School, which is planning on holding a LGBTQ Pride event on June 2, has been the site of controversy for more than a week, with parents planning a boycott of the Gay Pride and Rainbow Day assembly. While the parent group says the topics around sexuality and gender are unfit for children, the Los Angeles Unified School District told KTLA earlier this month that the event is intended to highlight diversity.Teachers will read students Mary Hoffman's book "The Great Big Book of Families," which Goodreads called "a celebration of the diverse fabric of kith and kin the world over."On May 22, however, the debate may have escalated, as school officials discovered that an LGBTQ flag had been burned in what the Los Angeles Police Department said is being investigated as a "vandalism hate crime," according to the Los Angeles Daily News.The planter in which the flag was placed was al...

Convicted: Passenger who fled via emergency slide after dispute aboard airliner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:39 GMT

A woman who activated the emergency slide to flee a dispute on an airliner has been convicted of simple assault, federal prosecutors said.The incident happened on April 19, 2022, at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, aboard an American Airlines jet preparing to depart for Chicago, said the announcement Friday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.A passenger described as “unruly” —  Cynthia McKnight, 24 — had reportedly ignored a request by a flight attendant to stop using her phone. The dispute escalated to involve other passengers, and McKnight spat on one of them.As the plane began returning to the gate so McKnight could be removed, she opened a cabin door and left by way of the emergency slide that deployed, then ran across the tarmac, the prosecutors said. She was soon caught by airport police.Because the slide was deployed, the flight had to be canceled and all the passengers rebooked.A statement at the time from...

One dead as gunfire breaks out in East Oakland

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:39 GMT

OAKLAND — Gunfire in East Oakland on Tuesday night ended the life of a 49-year-old man, police said.Authorities did not identify the man early Wednesday, pending the notification of family members. Police said he was in an Oakland resident who lived in the area of the shooting.Officers responded about 11:35 p.m. to the 10000 block of Pearmain Street and found the man wounded and down, police said. He died at the scene.Police said investigators were still trying to determine a motive for the shooting. They did not announce any arrests.Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $10,000 in reward money for information leading to an arrest of the suspect. Police can be contacted at 510-238-3821 or 510-238-7950. Crime Stoppers of Oakland can be contacted at 510-777-8572.Staff writer Harry Harris contributed to this story.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | 10-year-old East Bay girl killed in stabbing lived in house with history of domestic violence ...

Low sexual satisfaction linked to memory decline later in life: study

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:39 GMT

By Daniel Otis | CTVNews.ca writerToronto, Ontario (CTV Network) — Can’t get no satisfaction? Then you might be at risk for cognitive inaction.According to a new study, low sexual satisfaction in middle age could be linked to memory loss later in life.Led by researchers from Pennsylvania State University, the study tracked 818 men over 12 years, from the ages of 56 to 68. Researchers tested and measured participants’ memory and processing speed over time, and found that reported declines in erectile function and sexual satisfaction correlated to future memory loss.“Research on sexual health has historically focused on quantifiable facets of sexuality like number of sexual partners or frequency of sexual activity,” lead author and Penn State doctoral candidate Riki Slayday said in a news release. “What we were interested in is the perception of that activity, how someone feels about their sex life, and how that influences cognitive function, becaus...

Champagne and caviar bar opens in Los Gatos

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:39 GMT

Champagne flights, caviar samplers and truffle grilled cheese are on the menu at Champagne Bar, the newest addition to Tasting House in Los Gatos.The intimate space, located at 368 Village Lane, opened on May 26 to cater to locals who like a taste of the finer things. Owners Denise and Mark Thornberry traveled all the way to Champagne, France to learn from the best and taste different grape varietals, visit vineyards and meet winemakers.“Everything we learned about champagne made us love champagne even more,” Denise said.The couple opened Tasting House which offers wine and food pairings in 2022 and recently expanded the adjoining cheese shop to accommodate Champagne Bar.Staff are all at least level one sommeliers, and head chef Ryan Fillhardt is a certified sommelier who graduated from Los Gatos High School.While the bar’s menu of champagne offerings is extensive, there’s also a fair share of food offerings, like full caviar service, oysters, pomme frites, salads and ch...

How some South Bay schools expanded mental health services

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:39 GMT

Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic Vision, an independent journalism training program for high school students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.The pandemic lockdown left many high school students with feelings of grief and disconnect from their school communities. When classes resumed in person, South Bay school districts, like those across the country, were offered federal COVID relief funding to address pandemic concerns.Some districts used those funds to improve their mental health services, while other districts chose to invest in addressing pandemic learning loss, the digital divide and other needs.East Side Union High School District prioritized using COVID relief funds to beef up its wellness centers, where students can meet with counselors to discuss stressors in their lives — everything from grief to home instability to drugs and violence — that impact not only their mental health but their academi...

Contra Costa County to host 'Operation Documentation' for veterans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:39 GMT

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) – The Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder’s Office and the County Veterans Service Office along with other agencies are hosting “Operation Documentation” for its veterans on Wednesday.The free event is used to help veterans and their families facilitate access to their entitled benefits after leaving the military service. Operation Documentation runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Contra Costa County Clerk- Recorder’s Office located at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez.  San Mateo County developing plan to combat opioid, fentanyl crisis Veterans and their families can record copies of DD-214 discharge documents for free, receive an overview of Veterans Affairs benefits they may be eligible for and sign up for a veteran’s distinction on their driver’s license. Contra Costa County residents who are on active duty can receive a free certified copy of their marriage license.  KRON On is streaming news live now.embed-container { position: relative; pa...

Boil water advisory in Northeast DC lifted days after pipe ruptures, what now?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:39 GMT

Northeast residents won’t have to boil their tap water anymore starting Wednesday as D.C. Water said crews repaired a broken pipe. But there are some steps to take before drinking or cooking as usual.D.C. Water lifted the boil water advisory Wednesday morning, days after some Northeast residents were warned the water may have been contaminated late Sunday.The advisory was issued because of a ruptured main, but D.C. Water said crews have repaired the 12-inch pipe under V Street.The affected areas include homes:East of Montana AvenueWest of Eastern AvenueSouth of Rhode Island AvenueNorth of New York AvenueHere’s what those residents should do before going back to normal, according to D.C. Water:Run the cold water taps for 10 minutes (if water was not used at all during the advisory).Discard food or ice prepared with water that was not boiled during the advisory.Consult the owner’s manual to find out how to sanitize appliances and home filtration systems if used during the ...

Israel’s Mossad says former agent was among 4 people who died when boat sank in Italy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:39 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s intelligence agency said Wednesday that a retired agent was among four people killed in northern Italy when a sudden storm sank a houseboat hired for a weekend pleasure cruise on a lake.The former agent was on the vessel with 22 other people on a lake near the town of Lisanza, according to Italian media reports. Two Italian intelligence agents and a Russian woman — part of the two-person crew — also died in the incident. The Israeli prime minister’s office issued a statement on behalf of the Mossad saying the unnamed agent’s remains had been returned to Israel for burial. The Foreign Ministry had previously confirmed that a retiree from the Israeli security forces was killed but didn’t provide a name or age or give details on his professional background.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that because of the agent’s work in the agency, further details could not be disclosed and extended condolences to his family. Italian ...

SAS to soon start online booking for 2028 flights aboard electric-powered aircraft

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:39 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Scandinavian Airlines said Wednesday travelers will soon be able to book seats on the carrier’s first commercial flights due to start five years from now in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark aboard electric-powered aircraft.The Stockholm-based SAS airline group said there will be 30 seats available on each of the three flights and that the day and place of departure will be communicated to travelers by email once decided. Reservations will open online on Saturday.The airline added that the price will be the same in all three Scandinavian currencies – 1,946 – signifying the year that SAS started flying. ”The fact that we can now invite our passengers to the next major milestone in the future of aviation is a natural continuation of that pioneering spirit and a significant step on our journey towards more sustainable aviation, said SAS CEO Anko van der Werff. He referred to the fact that Scandinavian Airlines in 1957 started flying over the North Pole to signifi...