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Grand Junction man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of children

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

A Grand Junction man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, with a life term of supervised release, for sexual exploitation of children.Benjamin David Harbin, 33, exploited children in the production of child pornography, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Colorado.Harbin used “Instagram accounts to communicate with minor females online, several of whom were between seven and nine years of age,” according to the release, and persuaded children to send him sexually explicit images of themselves.He was sentenced Monday, after a plea agreement, by U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello for enticing minors to engage in the production of child pornography. The FBI investigated the case.“The sexual exploitation of children is a despicable crime that causes immense harm to the victims and their families,” U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan said in the release. “We will not tolerate the predatory behavior of those who...

Biden visits Monterey Park, issues order to strengthen gun background checks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (AP) — President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Tuesday aiming at increasing background checks to buy guns, promoting more secure firearms storage and ensuring U.S. law enforcement agencies get more out of a bipartisan gun control law enacted last summer. The Democratic president was to address his latest efforts to curb gun violence in a speech in this suburban Los Angeles community, where a gunman stormed a dance hall and shot 20 people, killing 11, following a Lunar New Year celebration in January. He was also meeting with families of victims and with first responders from that day. Biden’s rhetoric has grown ever stronger about guns — he routinely calls for banning assault weapons — in pushing a vocal gun-control platform even tougher than during the Obama administration when he was vice president. He has been emboldened by the midterm electiions when his regular talk of gun control didn't result in massive losses, and he's expected to continue to a...

Video shows suspect firing shots through apartment door

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

A man from Santa Barbara has been arrested and charged with attempted murder nearly two weeks after a doorbell video caught him shooting into a home in Highland. According to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies at the Highland Station, 34-year-old Gabriel Arce was arrested on Monday after he fired “approximately four rounds from a handgun through the front door” of a home in the 7000 block of Central Avenue in Highland on Feb. 28. The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Gabriel Arce, is seen firing a round into the front door of the residence in Highland on Feb. 28. (San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department)The victim was inside the residence and sustained a gunshot wound to their leg, to which they were able to apply a tourniquet before authorities arrived and continued with medical treatment. Arce was on parole for possessing a weapon while in prison and was originally sent to prison on a robbery conviction. The suspected firearm used during the shoo...

Insurance Exchange Building in downtown L.A. to be turned into affordable housing  

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

The historic Insurance Exchange Building in downtown Los Angeles is getting a makeover.The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which bills itself as the largest global AIDS organization, has purchased the 99-year-old building under its Healthy Housing Foundation banner to make way for homeless and low-income housing. AHF closed on its purchase of the 12-story building on March 7 for $21.25 million. It will be the first office building that AHF will renovate and adds to the 13 other buildings the organization has purchased or renovated since 2017, the organization said.The new residence will be called Angel Tower and is set to offer 251 new living spaces. “We know firsthand the fight for affordable housing is fought one door at a time,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein in a news release. “This building offers the potential for two-hundred fifty-one brand-new doors in its incarnation as Angel Tower.” The Healthy Housing Foundation has spent more than $18...

Chipotle unveils chicken al pastor on menus worldwide

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

Chipotle customers can now customize their tacos, burritos, salads and quesadillas with a new protein option.The Newport Beach-based company announced Tuesday that it’s adding chicken al pastor to its menus worldwide for a limited time. The debut of chicken al pastor marks the first time Chipotle launched a new menu innovation globally, a news release said.Chipotle calls Chicken al pastor "a new, craveable protein at Chipotle featuring the savory, satisfying flavor of adobo, Morita peppers and ground achiote with a splash of pineapple and fresh lime." (Chipotle) The company didn’t announce how long chicken al pastor would be available.“Guests are looking to restaurants for unique menu items they cannot make at home, and al pastor has been gaining mass appeal in recent years,” Chris Brandt, Chipotle's chief marketing officer, said in a statement. "We've put our own spicy spin on al pastor with our freshly grilled chicken and have created a truly delicious menu item that fans wil...

Marlon Wayans reveals Ben Affleck called him to appear in 'Air'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

When Marlon Wayans got the phone call from Ben Affleck to star in his movie, "Air," the comedian jumped at the chance."He talked to me for about 45 minutes about what the role was, and I said 'Ben, you had me at hello. You did 'Argo.' You're taking 45 minutes too long," he explained to KTLA 5's Sam Rubin. "Just say 'Marlon be in the movie.'"He was, however, surprised to get the call from the "Good Will Hunting" star."Me and J.Lo were on the same show! She doesn't call me! So how the hell did he get my number? We were on 'In Living Color' 40 years ago, how come he got my number and she doesn't? He's Batman, that's why!"Affleck not only stars in "Air" but directs it as well. Other big names on the project include Jason Bateman, Matt Damon, Chris Tucker, and Viola Davis.The film is about how the Air Jordan sneaker came about and helped Michael Jordan become the richest basketball player ever. Wayans himself is a sneaker enthusiast and the Air Jordan is one of his favorites. While Nike ...

Man Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash on Shoemaker Avenue [Santa Fe Springs, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

Man Killed at Bus Stop in Hit-and-Run Crash on Shoemaker Avenue near Telegraph RoadSANTA FE SPRINGS, CA (March 14, 2023) – Saturday afternoon, a hit-and-run crash on Shoemaker Avenue claimed a man’s life.The collision happened on March 11th, at around 4:10 p.m., at a bus stop at the intersection of Shoemaker Avenue and Telegraph Road.According to reports, a man was waiting at the bus stop when a vehicle struck him. The impact of the collision left the victim with serious injuries. The involved driver fled the scene on foot before authorities arrived..First responders to the accident pronounced the male pedestrian dead at the scene. At this time, his identity has not been disclosed to the public.No further details regarding the Shoemaker Avenue hit-and-run have been released. Those with further information can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. The team at Sweet James sends their deepest cond...

Bay Area health care worker stole patient’s medical records, posted about her STD on phony social media page, hospital says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

MARTINEZ — A healthcare contractor at an East Bay county hospital stole medical records and used them to impersonate the patient on social media, according to records and hospital officials.The hospital contractor working at Martinez’s Contra Costa Regional Medical Center accessed the patient’s records after she tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease, according to a claim letter an attorney representing the patient sent to the county.The contractor then used the information to create a fake Facebook page in the patient’s name and proceeded to post about the patient’s STD diagnosis, including details from her medical records, the letter written by Los Angeles-based privacy law attorney Torin Dorros says.It took more than a month for Facebook to take down the posts. By then, they were seen by the patient’s friends and co-workers, causing “substantial emotion distress and trauma,” so much so that she had to seek professional h...

Sale closed in Fremont: $1.6 million for a three-bedroom home

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

2459 Middlefield Avenue – Google Street ViewThe property located in the 2400 block of Middlefield Avenue in Fremont was sold on Feb. 3, 2023 for $1,640,500, or $955 per square foot. The house, built in 1959, has an interior space of 1,717 square feet. The property features three bedrooms, three baths, and a garage. The unit sits on a 0.4-acre lot.Additional houses have recently been sold nearby:On Middlefield Avenue, Fremont, in June 2022, a 2,109-square-foot home was sold for $2,425,000, a price per square foot of $1,150. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 1,888-square-foot home on the 2700 block of Washington Boulevard in Fremont sold in December 2022, for $1,600,000, a price per square foot of $847. The home has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In June 2022, a 2,171-square-foot home on Castillejo Way in Fremont sold for $2,199,000, a price per square foot of $1,013. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. 

Letters: Jail time deserved | Patient safety | Housing threat | Federal Reserve | Debt ceiling | Careless comments

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:44:45 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Holmes deserves jailfor perpetrating fraudRe: “Why venture capitalist believes Holmes should be freed” (Page A6, March 10).Of course Tim Draper thinks Elizabeth Holmes should be free. He didn’t have his life savings wiped out by the fraud she committed.“Vision?” Innumerable people have vision, but they do not intentionally steal from everyone they can, already knowing that their “vision” is not remotely a reality. She went out of her way to defraud others and deserves every minute of jail time that she is so desperate to avoid.If Draper believes she is so innocent, perhaps he will volunteer to serve her sentence.R CoteCastro ValleyHolmes punishment justdue to patient safetyRe: “Why venture capitalist believes Holmes should be freed” (Page A6, March 10).Tim Draper’s “reality distortion field” excuse for Elizabeth Holmes could have caused mistakes...