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SoCal men helped sell 124K fentanyl pills on darknet, DOJ says

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:00 GMT

Two Southern California men face decades or even life in federal prison for allegedly supplying fentanyl-laced pills and methamphetamine for online sales.Omar Navia, 38, of South Los Angeles, and Adan Ruiz, 27, of Garden Grove, are accused of providing "counterfeit M30 oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and other narcotics" for sale on darknet, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.They were indicted last month and arrested on Thursday. Both have pleaded not guilty to charges of "conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine," the DOJ said. Ruiz faces an additional charge of distribution of fentanyl.According to prosecutors, Navia and Ruiz collaborated with two people who've already admitted guilt: Rajiv Srinivasan, 38, of Houston, and Michael Ta, 25, of Westminster, who were indicted last year by a federal grand jury on related charges. They pleaded guilty this year and are scheduled to be sentenced next year, pr...

Disneyland guests allegedly poop while waiting in line for rides

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:00 GMT

Some Disney Parks fans have seemingly taken the saying “When you gotta go, you gotta go” to the extreme.A Disney Parks urban legend, claiming that parks guests poop while standing in line for rides, is apparently true, SF Gate reported.Two former Disneyland custodial team workers, known as cast members, wrote about the unsavory topic in their 2015 book “Cleaning the Kingdom: Insider Tales of Keeping Walt’s Dream Spotless.”In the chapter “Disgusting Things,” authors Ken Pellman and Lynn Barron share the gross details.They describe how pooping incidents have occurred all over the theme park, most notably in the stand-by queue for the “Indiana Jones Adventure” ride at Disneyland. While standing in this particular queue, many guests think the restrooms are far away, but that isn’t the case. Disneyland announces opening date for Adventureland Treehouse “There’s a pair of individual-use restrooms just backstage from the north unload. It was mainly for cast members, but guests could and ...

Quinnon Gardner, Rolando Reyes Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash on SH 103 [Angelina County, TX]

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:00 GMT

Two Male Drivers Killed in Car Collision on SH 103ANGELINA COUNTY, TX (November 7, 2023) – on Thursday afternoon, a crash on SH 103 involving multiple vehicles left Quinnon Gardner and Rolando Reyes deceased.The tragic incident occurred at approximately 5 p.m. on October 26th, along State Highway 103.According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), a Ford Flex traveling eastward and a 2009 Chevrolet pickup towing a trailer in the westbound direction collided when the Ford veered into the westbound lanes. The Ford collided head-on with the Chevrolet, leading to the detachment of its trailer. Subsequently, the trailer struck a 2012 Chevrolet pickup traveling in the westbound direction.Law enforcement authorities have disclosed the identities of those involved, with the Ford Flex driver identified as 44-year-old Quinnon Gardner, the driver of the 2009 Chevrolet as 36-year-old Rolando Reyes, and the 2012 Chevrolet pickup driver as 42-year-old Brian Massey. Gardner and Rey...

Bernardo Rivera Dies in Fiery Crash on Loop 335 [Amarillo, TX]

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:00 GMT

Head-On Collision on E. CR 58 Killed 56-Year-Old Cicero ManAMARILLO, TX (November 7, 2023) – Thursday evening, Bernardo Rivera lost his life after a fiery crash on Loop 335.The tragic accident unfolded at approximately 6:35 p.m. on October 26th, to the south of Loop 335 and E. CR 58. As reported by DPS, a head-on collision took place between a Ford Explorer and an 18-wheeler truck. The truck, which was transporting tires, became engulfed in flames and was destroyed by the fire.Authorities declared the Ford driver dead on the spot while the truck driver escaped from his truck safely. Police identified the Ford driver as 56-year-old Bernardo Rivera from Cicero, meanwhile, the truck driver remained unidentified.In addition, several lanes in the area were closed for hours by the deputies. Investigation is underway.Sweet James sends out their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of Bernardo Rivera. May memories of your loved ones give you strength in the days ahe...

Luiz Gonzalez Killed in Pedestrian Collision on North 25th Avenue [Edinburg, TX]

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:00 GMT

71-Year-Old Man Pronounced Dead after Pedestrian Accident near El Cibola RoadEDINBURG, TX (November 7, 2023) – Thursday night, Luiz Gonzalez was fatally struck in a pedestrian crash on North 25th Avenue and El Cibola Road.Police officers arrived to the scene around 9:41 p.m., on October 26th after receiving multiple dispatch calls in the area. Investigators say a Chevrolet Silverado heading north hit a male pedestrian for reasons unknown.Emergency crews arrived and found the severely injured victim lying down with severe injuries in the grassy median.Medical personnel later declared Gonzalez, 71, deceased. Investigators say he was wearing dark-colored clothing at the time. At this time, the involved driver is not currently facing any criminal charges.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. Deepest condolences and sympathies are with the family and friends of Luis Gonzalez.Losing someone in a hit-and-run pedestrian crash is always a trau...

Israel fights Hamas deep in Gaza City, foresees control of enclave’s security after war

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:00 GMT

By Najib Jobain and Samy Magdy | Associated PressKHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Israel said Tuesday that its ground forces were battling Hamas fighters deep inside Gaza’s largest city, signaling a major new stage in the month-old conflict, and its leaders foresee controlling the enclave’s security after the war.The push into Gaza City guarantees that the already staggering death toll will rise further, while comments from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about controlling Gaza’s security for “an indefinite period” pointed to the uncertain endgame of a war that Israel says will be long and difficult.Israeli ground troops have battled Palestinian militants inside Gaza for over a week, cutting the territory in half and encircling Gaza City. The army’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said that Israeli ground forces “are located right now in a ground operation in the depths of Gaza City and putting great pressure on Hamas.”Israelis commemorated the 30th day — a mileston...

Nine arrested in sprawling Santa Clara County sex-trafficking ring

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:00 GMT

Santa Clara County prosecutors Tuesday announced nine arrests in what they said was a sprawling Bay Area sex-trafficking ring in which 18 prostitution victims from South America and Mexico were forced to work seven days a week in San Jose and East Bay hotel rooms.A criminal complaint identified those arrested as Jairo CardenasFonseca, 65, and Stella SalinasPena, 60, of San Jose; Michel Andreiw AyalaValdivieso, 33 and Angela Marlenn Ceuspinzon, 54, of Coalinga; Gladis Celis, 49, Jair Hernando OrtizSalinas, 48, and Kristhian OrtizCelis, 23, of Lake Elsinore; Juan Sebastian MoraMurrillo, 23, and Alexander LopezMachado, 18, of Gilroy.The suspects have been charged with crimes ranging from human trafficking and conspiracy to commit human trafficking to pimping, pandering, and money laundering in what prosecutors called one of the largest trafficking operations in the state and the first wiretap-based trafficking case in Santa Clara County.“Slavery was outlawed in this country in 18...

Hunter Biden case: Special counsel testifies that he was the ‘decision-maker’

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:00 GMT

By Farnoush Amiri and Lindsay Whitehurst | Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — The prosecutor overseeing the Hunter Biden investigation testified Tuesday that he had the ultimate authority in the yearslong case as he made an unprecedented appearance before Congress to rebut Republicans’ explosive claims that the probe has been plagued with interference.David Weiss’ interview with the House Judiciary Committee marked the first time a special counsel has ever testified to lawmakers in the middle of a probe. He agreed to the unusual appearance under heavy pressure from House Republicans, who are looking to ramp up their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and his family.In his opening statement, Weiss told lawmakers he would not answer questions that could jeopardize the investigation and would only talk about the scope of his authority. “I am, and have been, the decision-maker on this case,” he told lawmakers. “I do not, however, make these decisions in a vacuum.”He...

Cal Bears coaches Wilcox, Spavital share updates on RB Thomas following frightening neck injury vs. Oregon

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:00 GMT

BERKELEY — Cal freshman running back Jaivian Thomas was unconscious on the field after being injured at Oregon on Saturday but remains at home and “is doing well, considering,” according to Bears coach Justin Wilcox.The Oakland product suffered a neck injury in the third quarter of Cal’s 63-19 loss to the No. 6 Ducks at Autzen Stadium and spent the night at a Eugene hospital before returning to the Bay Area.During a portion of the nearly 15 minutes he remained on the turf, the former McClymonds High star was unconscious, said Cal offensive coordinator Jake Spavital.California players take a knee as running back Jaivian Thomas (25) is tended to after an injury during the second half of an NCAA football game against Oregon, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon won 63-19.(AP Photo/Amanda Loman) “When you’re in the heat of the moment you don’t see the severity of it,” Spavital said. “After the game, watching it on the plane, it was a pretty scary situation for Jaivian to ...

A Meta engineer saw his own child face Instagram harassment. Now, he’s testifying before Congress

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:00 GMT

By BARBARA ORTUTAY | AP Technology WriterOn the same day whistleblower Frances Haugen was testifying before Congress about the harms of Facebook and Instagram to children in the fall of 2021, a former engineering director at the social media giant who had rejoined the company as a consultant sent an alarming email to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg about the same topic.Arturo Béjar, known for his expertise on curbing online harassment, recounted to Zuckerberg his own daughter’s troubling experiences with Instagram. But he said his concerns and warnings went unheeded. And on Tuesday, it was Béjar’s turn to testify to Congress.“I appear before you today as a dad with firsthand experience of a child who received unwanted sexual advances on Instagram,” he told a panel of U.S. senators.Béjar worked as an engineering director at Facebook from 2009 to 2015, attracting wide attention for his work to combat cyberbullying. He thought things were getting better. But between leaving the company and re...