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L.A.-based priest charged with possession of child porn

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:52 GMT

A priest with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has been charged with possession of child pornography, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara, 38, of Long Beach, allegedly possessed more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material, including pictures and videos of minors under 12, officials said.Martinez-Guevara is a member of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit and is associated with several churches, including Our Lady of Guadalupe in Oxnard.He was under investigation after several reports were made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, officials said. Investigators later determined that Martinez-Guevara was allegedly in possession of the images, which mostly included boys.Martinez-Guevara was arrested on Wednesday, and search warrants were served at the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit in Long Beach where he lives. The religious institution is next to St. Maria Goretti Church and the church’s school.Investigators be...

After Pride flag ban, could a school board recall in Sunol succeed?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:52 GMT

After the Sunol Glen Unified School District school board banned the school from flying a Pride flag on Tuesday, parents immediately turned their attention toward a potential recall of the board members, Ryan Jergensen and Linda Hurley, who voted for the resolution, which passed 2-1.“A lot of average parents are about to learn a lot more about recall,” said Matthew Sylvester, a parent at the Sunol Glen school. “It’s a really big possibility.”But how would a recall in Sunol actually work? Historical numbers show that, even when there appears to be momentum to recall a local official, the process is far easier said than done.According to Ballotpedia, there were an average of 34 recall efforts against an average of 80 school board members each year nationwide between 2009 and 2022. Those recall campaigns–spurred by a variety of allegations ranging from bad behavior to mismanagement of funds–resulted in just 10% of the targeted school board members being removed from office....

Suspect in wheelchair sought in East Oakland shooting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:52 GMT

OAKLAND — A man was shot Thursday morning in East Oakland and a suspect in a wheelchair was being sought, authorities said.The condition of the victim, who was shot more than once, was not immediately available. His age was also not available and it was not known if he lived in the area.The shooting happened about 11:39 a.m. Thursday in the 1100 block of 85th Avenue, a mostly residential area.It was not immediately known if the man shot and the suspect were acquainted or what motivated the shooting.The suspect was able to flee in a wheelchair before police got to the scene.Th shooting happened not far from an elementary school but the school was not placed on lockdown, officials said.Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $5,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3426 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.

Newsom highlights California’s largest ethnic group with 'Latino Heritage Month'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:52 GMT

(KRON) -- Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed September 15 to October 15 "Latino Heritage Month," recognizing Latinos' countless contributions throughout California's history. More than 15 million Latinos who call California home serve a central role "in our continued growth and prosperity," the governor said. Newsom's proclamation states, "Latinos are California’s largest ethnic group, with diverse roots throughout the Americas, Indigenous communities of Latin America and Africa, and beyond. Generations of Latinos have helped shape our society, economy, culture and values since our state’s beginnings. The leadership, service, and vision of Latinos continues to enrich all facets of American life." Gender neutral term 'Latinx' explained The proclamation emphasized that strength is found in diversity, and all Californians should have access to opportunities regardless of immigration status."We continue working to make the California Dream a reality for everyone through bold action and...

Robbery during online sale meetup leads to Pinole teenager's arrest

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:52 GMT

(KRON) -- The Pinole Police Department was alerted of an armed robbery in the parking lot of the Pinole Valley Shopping Center on the evening of September 13. The victim was selling an item through OfferUp and was meeting the buyer in the parking lot when the suspect grabbed the item and ran off, police said.The victim ran after the suspect, who brandished a firearm at the victim, according to Pinole PD. A witness to the robbery gave the victim the suspect’s license plate number, which police later tied to 18-year-old Pinole resident Jeremiah Meadows.Meadows was served a search warrant at his residence. A firearm and the victim's stolen property were located and seized at the home, police said.According to the Pinole PD, Meadows was taken safely into custody. Meadows was later arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for robbery. Man shot near elementary school in Oakland The investigation is ongoing. Please contact the Pinole Police Department Criminal Investigati...

Man shot near elementary school in Oakland

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:52 GMT

(KRON) -- A man was shot near an elementary school on Thursday, the Oakland Police Department said. The shooting happened around 11:30 a.m. in the area of the 1100 block of 85th Avenue, which is roughly one block away from Highland Community School. OPD arrived at the scene and found the man suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital, but his condition is unknown at this time, according to OPD. Highland Community School was not placed on lockdown. The shooting does not appear to be connected to the elementary school, OPD said.Police did not give a description of possible suspects. OPD is actively investigating and says anyone with information is asked to contact 510-238-3426. Oakland youth football team moves game to Santa Rosa for safer environment Earlier this month, a youth football team in Oakland had to relocate its game to Santa Rosa because the kids didn't feel safe playing in the city. Parents cite shootings and the sound of gunshots as reason...

No. 7 Nittany Lions ready for hostile crowd when they play against Illinois team eager for upset

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:52 GMT

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Penn State will play in a hostile environment for the first time Saturday, opening its Big Ten season on the road at Illinois in a nationally televised game.The Illini are coming off a disappointing loss last week at Kansas. They hope a raucous home crowd can carry them to an upset win over the No. 7-ranked Nittany Lions.Penn State coach James Franklin said his team knows what to expect, especially with the Illini promoting an “orange-out.” The Nittany Lions ran into a similar hornet’s nest last year.“It should be a great atmosphere at Illinois, a great environment for college football,” he said. “We opened our Big Ten season last year at Purdue. There was a black-out there.”Penn State beat Purdue 35-31, rallying from a 24-21 deficit after three quarters.The Nittany Lions (2-0) have beaten West Virginia 38-15 and Delaware 63-7, and are opening their Big Ten season on the road for the eighth straight season and 13th time in 14 years.The Illini opened at h...

Portugal barely containing excitement for first Rugby World Cup appearance in 16 years

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:52 GMT

NICE, France (AP) — Patrice Lagisquet has been trying hard to rein in his Portugal players, so eager are they to step on the Rugby World Cup stage after 16 years on Saturday against Wales in Nice.“Players are very excited, maybe too much,” Lagisquet said on Thursday. “The session this afternoon was a bit difficult, everybody was a bit nervous on the pitch. Because we are close to the game it was a bit difficult for all of them, to keep controlling what they do in the session.“Everybody’s not expecting Portugal to qualify for the quarterfinal, but all of the players want to show they deserve to be at this World Cup and that they can play good rugby.”There are no survivors from Portugal’s only previous World Cup appearance in 2007 but 13 of the matchday 23 play for clubs in France, though only one, hooker Mike Tadjer, for a Top 14 team, Perpignan.“The 2007 squad really inspired some of these players to play at their very best,” captain Tomas Appleton said. “We ...

Explosion at Union Pacific railyard in Nebraska prompts evacuations because of heavy toxic smoke

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:52 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An explosion inside a shipping container at the world’s largest railyard prompted evacuations in western Nebraska Thursday because of the toxic smoke generated when one of the chemicals aboard caught fire.Around noon, an explosion occurred inside an intermodal container on a railcar at Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard in North Platte, though it wasn’t clear what caused the explosion, railroad spokeswoman Robynn Tysver said. No one was injured, and no cars derailed.Authorities evacuated everyone within a four-mile radius of the railyard, which is about 280 miles (451 kilometers) west of Omaha, was evacuated because of the smoke, and U.S. Highway 30 was closed between North Platte and Hershey. Interstate 80 wasn’t affected by the smoke. North Platte has a population of about 23,000.The North Platte Fire Department said in a post on X at 1:25 p.m. that the fire has been contained. The department said the evacuations were done because of the fire at...

Detroit-area businessman gets more than 2 years in prison for paying bribes for marijuana license

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:52 GMT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A Detroit-area businessman who bribed the head of a Michigan marijuana licensing board was sentenced Thursday to more than two years in federal prison.John Dalaly said he provided at least $68,200 in cash and other benefits to Rick Johnson, including two private flights to Canada.Johnson was chairman of the marijuana board for two years before the board was disbanded in 2019. The board reviewed and approved applications to grow and sell marijuana for medical purposes.Dalaly, 71, had a stake in a company that was seeking a license. He paid Johnson’s wife over several months for help with the application process. U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering sentenced Dalaly to 28 months in prison.“John is proof that good men can make bad decisions,” defense attorney Ray Cassar said in a court filing. Johnson, a Republican, was a powerful Republican lawmaker years ago, serving as House speaker from 2001 through 2004. He has admitted accepting at least $110,000 in...