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BBB warns consumers of gift card scams

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:57 GMT

ST. LOUIS - It seems so simple, but Better Business Bureau investigator Brian Edwards says more people are becoming scam victims. Recently, through gift cards. "No legitimate business is going to ask to be paid in gift cards," said Edwards.He said there have been a large uptick in cases of gift card scams, roughly a 50 percent increase compared to the first nine months of last year. "That was a concerning trend we saw, and we wanted to dig deeper into why that was," said Edwards. Docs: Accused Clayton killer pointed gun at cops in March, released on bond Edwards says scammers have doubled down on gift cards as a method to steal money from consumers, especially online shoppers.“Maybe you go on Facebook to buy a nice gift for your family member, and you see something that’s for a really good deal and the person says great, happy to give it to you, but I’m going to need Target gift cards as payment for that. That’s kind of the scam we’re seeing the most," said Edwards.Scammers will ...

Chatfield outlasts Grandview in Class 5A quarterfinals as Chargers QB Jake Jones takes over with five TDs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:57 GMT

AURORA — It didn’t take long for Chatfield football to morph from the Class 4A state champions back into a Class 5A force.The Chargers outlasted Grandview in a thriller on Friday at Legacy Stadium, 37-28, advancing to next weekend’s semifinals. Chatfield senior QB Jake Jones balled out with three passing TDs and two long rushing scores to push the Chargers another step deeper into the tournament just two years after claiming the 4A crown and moving up to play with the big boys.“We knew what we were capable of (after going 5-7 last year) and we knew the talent we had,” Chargers head coach Kris Rosholt said. “Being one of the smaller schools in 5A, we knew the challenge was there. But we’re not a team that shies away from a challenge, and this year has proven that. We’re here to make a statement and put our name back in as 5A contenders.”Chatfield’s victory put the Chargers one win away from their first Class 5A title appeara...

Colorado Democrats press agenda on property taxes, tangle with GOP over timing as special session begins

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:57 GMT

What was supposed to be a breakneck special session of the Colorado legislature instead turned to pure brakes Friday evening as the Senate’s majority Democrats battled with Republicans over rules that threatened to prolong consideration of bills by days.The beginning of the special session chugged along for most of the day, as Democrats, who hold wide majorities in the legislature, planned for a three-day sprint through Sunday to pass legislation aimed at softening historic property tax increases facing Coloradans early next year. The proposals include spending hundreds of millions of dollars to cut property tax rates and make up at least some of the resulting losses that local governments and school districts would feel from the cuts.But Republicans forced Democrats to take an evening floor vote to allow for the fast-tracking they planned for legislation in that chamber, via a special order. Without it, the Senate’s normal rules that govern the time between hearings and...

Colorado real estate stats: Prices climb as available homes, sales drop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:57 GMT

High interest rates continue to depress Colorado’s real estate market.According to the October Market Trends Housing Report from the Colorado Association of Realtors, the number of homes available last month dropped about 13% while sales fell nearly 15%.“Combined with a scarcity of homes for sale in the most affordable price ranges, the market segments with the most activity are in the $600s and up — driving median price incrementally higher from October of last year,” said Fort Collins-area realtor Chris Hardy.In October, the median price for a single-family home was $570,250, nearly a 3% increase over October 2022.Waiting in hopes both prices and interest rates will fall may frustrate potential homebuyers.“Savvy buyers are taking advantage of the fall price reductions and the seller’s willingness to offer concessions. Those waiting on the sidelines may be disappointed when the rates go down and competition goes up,” said Boulder/Broomfield-area ...

Man killed in Denver road rage shooting near Coors Field

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:57 GMT

One man was killed in a suspected road rage shooting near Coors Field at Park Avenue West and Wazee Street on Friday night, according to Denver police.The shooting was first reported by the Denver Police Department on X just after 5 p.m. Friday. The victim, an adult man, was transported to the hospital, where he later died, according to an update posted by Denver police at 8:30 p.m.ALERT: #DPD is investigating a shooting in the area of Park Ave and Wazee. One person was transported to the hospital with unknown extent of injuries. Expect delays in the area. Updates will be posted as they become available. pic.twitter.com/vQFCMLDX62— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) November 18, 2023The incident involved two motorists, and the person who shot the man remained at the scene, according to police. No arrests have been made. The man who was killed will be identified by the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner.Park Avenue West will remain closed at Blake Street for several hours f...

Gruesome details released in Orange County woman’s death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:57 GMT

A Laguna Beach man arrested in the death of 27-year-old Tatum Goodwin used a fire extinguisher to kill her, prosecutors alleged in a new court filing on Friday.The body of Goodwin, who lived in San Clemente, was discovered on Nov. 12 by a construction worker in an alleyway off the 200 block of Ocean Avenue, near Carmelita’s restaurant where she worked.“Her body was under a chain link fence on a construction site and a sandbag had been placed on her head,” prosecutors revealed.Dino Rojas-Moreno, 26, of Laguna Hills was arrested on Wednesday and charged with Goodwin’s slaying. He worked as a bartender at Laguna Beach's Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill, according to the Orange County Register. Tatum Goodwin, 27, was found dead in Laguna Beach on Nov. 12, 2023. In Friday’s filing, the Orange County D.A.’s Office said Rojas-Moreno first approached Goodwin in a parking lot around 1 a.m. on Nov. 12 and assaulted her near her parked car.“Rojas-Moreno then forcefully dragged her to the rear of the ...

Teen’s body found on L.A. County freeway onramp

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:57 GMT

A man was arrested after a teen's body was found on the 605 freeway in Pico Rivera.The suspect was identified as Marvell Beroit, 26, by the California Highway Patrol. Beroit was arrested in connection to the murder of Emily Bortee, 18.On Oct. 16, CHP responded to a body spotted on the Rose Hills Road onramp to the northbound 605 freeway.Arriving officers found Bortee’s body amid some ivy plants in the onramp.Investigators later identified Beroit as the suspect in the young woman’s death. He was tracked down and arrested on Oct. 23 on murder charges. O.C. nanny faces over 705 years in prison for molesting 16 boys The events leading up to Bortee’s death were not released as the investigation remains ongoing. It’s unclear what relationship the suspect had with the victim.Beroit is being held on $2,025,000 bail.Anyone with information on this case can call the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office at 213-727-6500.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs and singer Cassie settle lawsuit alleging abuse 1 day after it was filed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:57 GMT

Sean “Diddy” Combs and singer Cassie said Friday that they’ve settled a lawsuit containing allegations of beatings and abuse by the powerful music producer one day after it was filed.The settlement was announced in a release sent by attorney Douglas Wigdor, who represents Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura.The release said they had reached a deal to their “mutual satisfaction” on Friday evening, but no terms of the agreement were disclosed.Ventura and Combs both issued statements.Cassie said the deal was reached “amicably.” She thanked family, fans and lawyers.Combs also said it was resolved “amicably” and wished “Cassie and her family all the best.”NEW YORK, NY - MAY 01: Sean 'Diddy' Combs aka Puff Daddy (L) and Cassie attend the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for People.com)NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 27: Cassie (L) and recording...

California hiker records frightening encounter with bear, 2 cubs on trail

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:57 GMT

A jogger had a heart-stopping encounter with a black bear and two cubs on a narrow hiking trail in Sierra Madre earlier this month.The video was captured by a California fitness enthusiast on Nov. 8.It shows a black bear charging toward the woman with two young cubs following. The bears can be seen following her on the trail as she cautiously backs away, attempting to scare them off with loud roars."Went trail running and turned a blind corner to find a mother bear’s head about five inches from my waist and her cubs a few feet behind her," the woman told Storyful, a video licensing service.The woman told Storyful that the trail behind the bears split, with both paths leading down the mountain. She worked with another hiker she had encountered earlier to encourage the bears to take one trail while they safely went down the other.Sierra Madre, located in the San Gabriel Mountains, is well known for its trails and natural beauty and it attracts a wide swath of visitors. But many local ...

Driver killed in rollover crash near Crockett

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:57 GMT

CROCKETT — A driver was killed in a solo rollover crash Friday afternoon near Crockett, according to the California Highway Patrol.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Driver flees after woman killed in multi-vehicle East Bay freeway crash Crashes and Disasters | Ghost Tire Memorial placed at site of Malibu crash that killed 4 Pepperdine students Crashes and Disasters | Drivers of boxy SUVs and pickup trucks are more likely to kill pedestrians, study finds Crashes and Disasters | One-car crash in Pittsburg is latest fatal wreck on Highway 4 Crashes and Disasters | Los Gatos motorcyclist dies in crash on Highway 1 The crash happened around 4:30 p.m. on State Route 4 near Mc Ewen Road, CHP Officer Adam Lane said.An investigation revealed a gray Dodge Charger was traveling westbound when the driver lost control and the car overturned, Lane said, adding that the driver was ejected.“During the on scene inv...