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Man seriously injured when firework explodes on his head

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

LANCASTER, Calif. - A man suffered severe injuries after witnesses say a firework exploded on his head in Lancaster Wednesday evening.The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. outside a home in the 1300 block of West Boyden Avenue. Witnesses told news photographer Don Luis Meza that the man put the explosive on top of his motorcycle helmet and lit it.A helmet is seen after someone apparently lit a firework from it on Sept. 13, 2023. (DonLuisMeza)They said the man thought the firework would launch from the top of his head but, instead, it exploded. Video showed a portion of the helmet had been crushed by the firework. Blood was also seen on the sidewalk where the incident occurred. Gas cloud prompts dozens of homes to be evacuated in West Whittier The man was taken to a local hospital in unknown condition. No one else appeared to be injured in the incident.

LAPD shoots, kills man allegedly armed with large knife in Pico-Union

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Los Angeles Police Department officers shot and killed a man allegedly armed with a knife in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles Wednesday night.A few minutes after 8 p.m., police received multiple calls about a man armed with a knife in the 1200 block of South New Hampshire Avenue, according to Sgt. Hector Guzman of the Los Angeles Police Department.When officers arrived, they found the man in a parking lot and fired at him, hitting him at least once, police said.He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A large knife was recovered at the scene, Guzman said. "No officers or bystanders were injured during the incident," police said on X, formerly Twitter. The investigation is ongoing.

Detroit automakers, auto workers remain far from deal as strike deadline approaches

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — With a deadline looming just before midnight Thursday, the United Auto Workers union and Detroit's three automakers remain far apart in contract talks and the union is preparing to strike.The union is demanding a 36% boost in pay and the automakers, General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, have countered with offers that are roughly half of that increase. The chasm between the two sides threatens to ignite the first simultaneous strike by the United Auto Workers against all three Detroit automakers in the union's 80-year history, a potential shock to an economy already under strain from elevated inflation, and a test of President Joe Biden's treasured assertion that he’s the most pro-union president in U.S. history.In an online address to members late Wednesday, union President Shawn Fain said the automakers have raised initial wage offers, but have rejected some of the union’s other demands.“We do not yet have offers on the table that reflect the ...

What’s Brewing In The CBD Tea Market?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

As the global hemp market continues to expand, CBD brands are trying to find ways to distinguish themselves from the competition. One way CBD companies are establishing a presence in this competitive market is by offering unique CBD products. Besides standard CBD oils and topicals, some businesses focus on interesting CBD-infused beverages — including CBD tea!Yes, there are many ways customers could add a little CBD to their tea time. But why would you want to do that? Is CBD tea genuinely effective? Before boiling a pot of water for a “cannabidiol cuppa,” customers should review the pros & cons of CBD tea.What’s The Deal With CBD Tea?CBD tea typically refers to traditional loose leaf tea or sachets that have some CBD infused in it. In other words, these teas have the same flavor as green, black, or mint teas, except that manufacturers add some CBD extract to the mix. However, you may find “hemp CBD teas,” which usually contain trichome-rich dried hemp flowers.There’s no special...

Folking awesome: Beth Orton is back to perform in LA — Twice

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Folking awesome: It’s been 30 years since Norfolk, England artist Beth Orton released her debut album, Superpinkymandy, but 27 years since she really found her sound with the 1996 album Trailer Park. That record was an absolute fucking gem, a sleeper hit that saw her find favor with two very distinct groups of fans – folkies and clubbers.She would be lazily tagged “folktronica” by critics, but it wasn’t about the creation of a new sub- genre. Orton had tapped into a vibe of chill authenticity. Back in the ‘90s, that appealed deeply to fans of fellow British acts such as Massive Attack, Faithless, Tricky and Portishead. When Orton collaborated with the likes of William Orbit, Andrew Weatherall and the Chemical Brothers, the link to club culture was solidified. Yet Orton considered herself a folk musician.“I’ve always sat comfortably in my skin,” Orton says. “I suppose I see myself essentially as a folk singer. Or as someone who loves songwriting. So I suppose in terms of genre, it’s ...

Bay Area high school football 2023: Week 4 preview, schedule

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Week 4 of the high school football season is here.And the two matchups that looked good when practices started in August still look good as McClymonds at San Ramon Valley and St. Mary’s of Stockton at De La Salle are the big games of the weekend.The lineup also includes a solid matchup in Pleasanton between Monte Vista and host Amador Valley and another in San Mateo when Hillsdale plays host to Sacred Heart Prep.The Bay Area News Group will have complete coverage this weekend and all season. If you have not already, please sign up for a digital subscription. Your contributions keep us going.Here are this week’s top matchups and schedule:FridaySt. Mary’s-Stockton (3-0) at No. 2 De La Salle (1-2), 7:30 p.m.: A year after losing to the Rams in Stockton, De La Salle will try to get back to .500 in Concord. Following seven scoreless quarters against Orange-Lutheran and Serra, the Spartans snapped out of an offensive funk in a 35-17 victory at St. Francis last week. De La Salle quar...

7 amazing Bay Area things to do this weekend, Sept. 15-17

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

There’s just a gaggle of fun stuff to do this weekend, from seeing great shows to visiting quaff-worthy beer gardens. So let’s get to it, shall we?As with everything these days, be sure to double check websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.1 SEE & HEAR: Take in a playWith apologies to a certain world-famous miser who hogs the stage each winter, September might actually be the best time of year to catch a play. That’s when stage companies are kicking off their new seasons, and compelling shows like “Toxic” at City Lights, “Born with Teeth” in Berkeley and a slew of other intriguing shows are in the offing.2 EAT, DRINK & GIVE: Some tasty Maui fundraisersSeveral Bay Area restaurants, pubs and stores are hosting unique and d...

‘Ban killer kops’: Protesters swamp Vallejo City Hall over the reinstatement of officer involved in fatal shooting

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Outrage over the impending reinstatement of the Vallejo police officer who killed Sean Monterrosa swept through council chambers Tuesday, with protesters blasting the city’s decision across two hours of fiery speeches.Signs reading “ban killer kops” waved in the crowd of over 120 people as the Vallejo City Council repeatedly extended the original 15-minute time block allotted for public comments at the start of the meeting. Dozens of reform advocates – including several family members of people killed in Vallejo police shootings – took the podium to condemn the return of Det. Jarrett Tonn, who shot Monterrosa while he was on his knees with his hands up in June 2020.“We used to raise hell up here because we really thought that y’all could really do something,” David Harrison – a cousin of Willie McCoy, who Vallejo police killed in 2019 – told council members. “But I’m seeing now that there’s nothing that you can do, because the police officers – you guys are scared of police officers...

San Jose State Spartans getting boost from special teams play

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

San Jose State is facing another challenging game Saturday at Toledo, where the Spartans will play the defending Mid-American Conference champions in front of one of the rowdiest crowds they’ll see this season.One way the Spartans can help silence the Rockets’ supporters, expected to be about 20,000 strong at Glass Stadium, could be on special teams. SJSU (1-2) has already experienced how a special teams play can instantly alter the momentum of a game.Linebacker Jaylan Lawson’s forced fumble on the opening kickoff against Cal Poly clearly set the tone for the rest of the game as the Spartans went on to win 59-3.Conversely, a breakdown can be just as deflating.The Spartans trailed by just two scores in the third quarter of their season-opener against No. 6 USC when Trojans returner Zachariah Branch turned a low-hanging kickoff into a 96-yard touchdown that all but sealed SJSU’s 56-28 loss.“We’ve seen big special teams plays happen to us and we’ve also made big...

Mike Babcock situation: Sharks legend tells story about sharing photos with polarizing coach in Toronto

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

SAN JOSE – When he first started with the Toronto Maple Leafs six years ago, Patrick Marleau said then-coach Mike Babcock asked him and other members of the team to share some of the photos they had on their phones to help him get to know everyone on a more personal level.“It’s just a way for everybody to get to know each other and their families and where they come from and their backgrounds,” Marleau told Bay Area News Group on Wednesday. “I think it just brings the team closer together.”Babcock, in his first season as the Columbus Blue Jackets coach and already a polarizing figure within hockey circles, found himself in an unexpected firestorm this week for a similar photo-sharing practice that some reportedly felt was an invasion of privacy.On the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast this week, co-host and former NHLer Paul Bissonnette said an unidentified player told him that Babcock, 60, had asked Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner to show him the photos he has on his phone.Bissonnette sa...