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County judge moves to dismiss Garlic Festival shooting case against the Gilroy, festival security and organizers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:08 GMT

In a ruling involving a tragedy that stunned the country, a Santa Clara County judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the City of Gilroy and other defendants filed by victims in the 2019 mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, according to city officials and lawyers involved in the case.Just months after the horrific events of July 28, 2019 left three people dead and 17 injured, several victims, led by Wendy Towner, who was shot in the leg after diverting the shooter’s attention from nearby children, joined together in a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Gilroy, the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association, and First Alarm Security & Patrol, Inc.The suit alleged that the city had “dangerous condition(s) of public property” and cited First Alarm and the Garlic Festival Foundation for negligence and “premises liability,” meaning they failed to protect visitors of the Garlic festival from dangerous conditions.The city welcomed the decision by Santa Clara County Superio...

Eastbound lanes of Bay Bridge temporarily shut down due to accident

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:08 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The eastbound lanes of the Bay Bridge are shut down Thursday evening due to an accident, according to the California Highway Patrol. There is no timeframe for when they will reopen.The closure was in effect just east of Treasure Island. Why was the Bay Bridge blocked? APEC protests explained Earlier on Thursday, the westbound lanes were blocked for several hours as protesters in support of Palestine drove onto the bridge and shut down lanes, some throwing the keys of their vehicles into the bay.Around 80 people were arrested in that incident.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Want to get cheaper car insurance? Experts say shop around

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:08 GMT

With the cost of inflation, a lot of people are feeling the pinch and trying to save money. One way consumers can cut costs, according to experts, is by checking the rates on their auto insurance policies.“After a few years of holding steady, auto insurance premiums are rising. They’re expected to rise by as much 20% or more over the next few years,” said Kevin Brasler, executive editor of Washington Consumers’ Checkbook. “One of the reasons for that is, during the pandemic, there weren’t as many claims. Now, there are more claims.”Brasler said oftentimes drivers stick with the same auto insurance company year after year.“One of the reasons consumers do that is they think, ‘well, I’m probably getting the current insurer because I’ve been with them a long time and I see this loyalty discount in my policy,'” he said.But that could be a costly mistake. Brasler recommends shopping around because insurance companies ...

Texas man executed for 2001 killing of 5-year-old girl abducted from a store

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:08 GMT

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A Texas man convicted of abducting and strangling a 5-year-old girl who was taken from a Walmart store while her family was doing their Christmas shopping in 2001 was executed Thursday evening.David Renteria, 53, was pronounced dead at 7:11 p.m. CST after a chemical injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville for the deat of Alexandra Flores. He prayed, sang and asked for forgiveness before the drugs began flowing.“I’m sorry for all the wrongs I have done. And for those wo have called for my death, who are about to murder me, I forgive you,” he said in a final statement.Prosecutors said Flores, the youngest of eight children, was with family on a shopping excursion to the El Paso store on Nov. 18, 2001, when she was led from the store by Renteria, strangled and her body set on fire. The child’s remains were found the next day in an alley some 16 miles (25 kilometers) away.Renteria’s execution proceeded after the U.S. Supreme Court declined two se...

Guatemalan prosecutors pursue president-elect and student protesters over campus takeover

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:08 GMT

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Guatemalan prosecutors said Thursday they will seek to strip President-elect Bernardo Arévalo and several members of his party of their immunity for allegedly making social media posts that encouraged students to take over a public university in 2022.Cultural Heritage prosecutor Ángel Saúl Sánchez announced the move aimed at Arévalo and members of his Seed Movement at a news conference while federal agents executed search warrants and sought to arrest more than 30 student members of the party.It was only the latest legal salvo against Arévalo, an anti-corruption crusader who shocked the nation by winning the presidential election in August. The United States government, Organization of American States and other outside observers have suggested the legal attacks are an attempt to keep Arévalo from taking power in January.Attorney General Consuelo Porras and outgoing President Alejandro Giammattei have denied political motivations.Since Arévalo won a spot in the ...

How to prevent your heating bill from going up as temperatures go down

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:08 GMT

Setting the thermostat to a consistent temperature and considering a smart thermostat are among the things residents can do to avoid spikes in their energy bills this winter, according to Virginia-based Dominion Energy.Peggy Fox, media and community relations manager with Dominion, said setting the thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter could help keep costs low, but “each degree above 68 can significantly increase your heating bill.”Fox called the step a “no-brainer,” while pointing out that it “may be a little chilly for some people.”“The colder it is outside, the harder your heating system is working to keep your home warm, which is why power bills are typically higher in the winter,” Fox said. “That’s what we’re concerned about with energy bills.”Residents could also consider a smart thermostat that lowers overnight temperatures automatically, Fox said. However, it’s important to ensure the thermostat ...

Archdiocese of Washington issues a legal challenge to Maryland Child Victims Act

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:08 GMT

A Maryland law that did away with time limits for legal action by survivors of childhood sexual abuse is being challenged by the Archdiocese of Washington.The Maryland Child Victims Act passed in the state’s General Assembly and went into effect Oct. 1. The bill was a yearslong effort by advocates for survivors who worked for the passage of similar measures in Annapolis.Previously, Maryland’s law allowed victims to take legal action until they turned 38 years old. After that point, something called the “statute of repose” would extend immunity to potential defendants.When asked about the Washington Archdiocese’s challenge to the Maryland Child Victims Act, Teresa Lancaster, an attorney and a survivor of clergy abuse, told WTOP, “I’m not surprised, I don’t think any of us are surprised.” During the debate on the new legislation in the General Assembly, the question of possible constitutional challenges had come up.Jonathan Schocho...

Texas man executed for 2001 killing of 5-year-old girl abducted from a store during a Christmas shopping trip

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:08 GMT

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Texas man executed for 2001 killing of 5-year-old girl abducted from a store during a Christmas shopping trip.Source

Bell has 20 in Wichita State’s 86-77 victory over Coastal Carolina in the Myrtle Beach Invitational

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:08 GMT

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Xavier Bell scored 20 points as Wichita State beat Coastal Carolina 86-77 on Thursday night in the Myrtle Beach Invitational.Bell had seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals for the Shockers (4-0). Kenny Pohto scored 16 points and added eight rebounds. Dalen Ridgnal had 15 points and shot 6 for 9, including 3 for 6 from beyond the arc.Kevin Easley Jr. led the way for the Chanticleers (1-1) with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Jacob Meyer added 11 points and nine rebounds for Coastal Carolina. In addition, John Ojiako finished with 11 points and two blocks.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Pedestrian killed in crash with RTD light rail train

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:08 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Police in Denver said one person died in a crash with an RTD train on Thursday night.It happened in the 600 block of Mariposa Street, according to the Denver Police Department, which posted about the incident at 7:18 p.m. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.The crash happened in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, just north of Sixth Avenue. Drivers were urged to take alternate routes.FOX31 has reached out to RTD for more information.