News Tipoffs - California Editors
Bernalillo County Announces New County Manager Contract Completion
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, Aug. 21 -- Bernalillo County issued the following news release on Aug. 20, 2024:
Bernalillo County is pleased to announce the successful negotiation and finalization of a contract with Cindy Chavez to serve as the county's next county manager. The contract will go before the Board of County Commissioners for final consideration at its Aug. 27, 2024, administrative meeting. If approved, Chavez's official start date will be Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. The Board of County Co
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Calif. PUC Issues Decision Dismissing Petition for Modification Involving San Diego Gas & Electric
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Aug. 21 -- The California Public Utilities Commission issued the following decision dismissing petition for modification (Agenda ID No. 22774) on Aug. 20, 2024:
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BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Application of San Diego Gas & Electric Company (U902E) for Authority to Implement Optional Pilot Program to Increase Customer Access to Solar Generated Electricity.
And Related Matters.
DECISION DISMISSING PETITION FOR MODIFICATION A
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Calif. State Auditor: 'Los Angeles County - It Has Yet to Spend Tens of Millions of Dollars Intended to Provide Services to Realigned Youth'
SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 21 -- The California State Auditor issued the following report (No. 2023-134) on Aug. 20, 2024, entitled "Los Angeles County: It Has Yet to Spend Tens of Millions of Dollars Intended to Provide Services to Realigned Youth."
Here are excerpts:
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To: The Governor of California, President pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the Assembly, State Capitol, Sacramento, California 95814
Dear Governor and Legislative Leaders:
As directed by the Joint Legislative Aud
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Calif. U.S. Attorney: City of Los Angeles to Pay $20.8M for Discharging More Than 12 Million Gallons of Untreated Wastewater Into Santa Monica Bay
LOS ANGELES, California, Aug. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for Central District of California issued the following news release:
The City of Los Angeles has agreed to pay a total of $20.8 million to fix issues at the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant and to complete related environmental projects in connection with the discharge of millions of gallons of wastewater into Santa Monica Bay in 2021.
Hyperion, the City's oldest and largest wastewater treatment facility, collects, treats, an
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Calif. U.S. Attorney: Man Who Smuggled Seven Undocumented Immigrants Through Sewer Tubes Between Mexico and the United States Sentenced to Prison
SAN DIEGO, California, Aug. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California issued the following news release:
Kevin Noe Campos Villa of Tijuana was sentenced in federal court today to seven months in prison for human smuggling.
Campos previously pleaded guilty, admitting he guided seven unauthorized immigrants through sewer pipes during heavy rains. Several had to be rescued from the Tijuana River by San Diego lifeguards.
Campos was arrested on January 22, 2024,
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CBP Officers Discover $5 Million Worth of Methamphetamine Disguised as Watermelons
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release:
OTAY MESA, Calif. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility seized more than $5 million worth of methamphetamine disguised and concealed within a shipment of watermelons last Friday.
CBP officers found 4587 pounds of meth in shipment of disguised watermelons
The incident occurred when CBP officers at the Otay Mesa Comme
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Celebrate the 2024 NEA National Heritage Fellows With Free Events in Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The National Endowment for the Arts issued the following news release on Aug. 20, 2024:
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September 17--Film Screening and Discussion at the Kennedy Center
September 18--Awards Ceremony at the Library of Congress
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This September in Washington, DC, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will hold free events to celebrate ten extraordinary artists who shape America's cultural heritage--the 2024 NEA National Heritage Fellows, recipients of our nation's highes
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Danish Instrument Helps NASA's Juno Spacecraft See Radiation
PASADENA, California, Aug. 20 (TNSres) -- NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
Scientists with NASA's Juno mission have developed the first complete 3D radiation map of the Jupiter system. Along with characterizing the intensity of the high-energy particles near the orbit of the icy moon Europa, the map shows how the radiation environment is sculpted by the smaller moons orbiting near Jupiter's rings.The work relies on data collected by Juno's Advanced Stellar Compass (AS
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DEA-St. Louis: Three Charged With Drug Distribution in Prison Following the Death of Prison Staff Member
FRESNO, California, Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division issued the following news release on Aug. 20, 2024:
An investigation into the death of a correctional officer led to the arrests of three defendants today who are charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute controlled substances and introducing narcotic drugs to an inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atwater, California.
According to court documents, between July 15, 202
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EPA Awards $25.5M in New Grants to Combat Impact of Climate Change on Drinking Water Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
LENEXA, KAN. (AUG. 20, 2024) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $25.5 million in grants through a new program to support drinking water systems in underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities while reducing impacts of climate change.
This is the first time EPA is awarding funding under the Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability grant prog
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EPA: Biden-Harris Administration Awards $25.5 Million in New Grants to Combat Impact of Climate Change on Drinking Water Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release on Aug. 20, 2024:
Today, August 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $25.5 million in grants through a new program to support drinking water systems in underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities while reducing impacts of climate change. This is the first time EPA is awarding funding under the Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program, with the 16
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Governor Parson Highlights Administration's Successes After Completing Final Trade Mission
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Aug. 21 -- Gov. Michael Parson, R-Missouri, issued the following news release:
During each trade mission and meeting with business leaders, Governor Parson advanced Missouri's standing by highlighting its central location, low taxes, thriving economy, a well-trained and dedicated workforce, and the state's strong and improving infrastructure. Governor Parson always made it a point to include Missouri business leaders, bipartisan elected officials, and cabinet leaders a
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ICYMI: After Raising Minimum Wage, California Has More Fast Food Jobs Than Ever Before
SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 21 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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What you need to know: Since the $20 an hour minimum wage law went into effect, California has added 11,000 new fast food jobs. As of July, California now has 750,500 fast food jobs - the most in state history.
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According to new state and federal employment data, California's fast food industry has added jobs every month this year, including 11,000 new jobs in the four months sin
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Innovative Readiness Training delivers vital medical care to Guam residents
CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news:
MANGILAO , Guam
More than 100 U.S. Air Force Reserve, active-duty Air Force, Army, Navy, and Guam Air National Guard service members collaborated with the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services and other community partners to host the 2024 Guam Wellness Innovative Readiness Training at Guam Community College in Mangilao from Aug. 1-8, 2024.
The dual m
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Jamaican National Sentenced to 384 Months in Prison for Drug Trafficking, Identity Fraud, and Money Laundering Offenses
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release:
HARTFORD, Conn. Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ONIEL WILKS, 45, a citizen of Jamaica, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 384 months of imprisonment for narcotics trafficking, passport fraud, identity fraud, and money laundering offenses.
A
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Judicial Council of California Issues Opinion in People Vs. Luis Ramirez
SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 21 -- The Judicial Council of California issued the following opinion (No. G063224) on Aug. 20, 2024.
Here are excerpts:
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In the Court of Appeal of the State of California, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three
THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. LUIS RAMIREZ, Defendant and Respondent.
OPINION
Appeal from an order of the Superior Court of Orange County, Elizabeth G. Macias, Judge. Reversed and remanded with directions.
Todd Spitzer, District Attor
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Ky. U.S. Attorney: Federal Grand Jury in Louisville Returns 5 Indictments Charging 37 Defendants With Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, Aug. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky issued the following news release:
On August 6, 2024, a federal grand jury in Louisville charged a total of 37 defendants from across Kentucky and California in five separate indictments involving methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine trafficking offenses and firearms offenses. The indictments were the result of a lengthy investigation conducted as part of the Organized Crime and Drug and Enfo
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Low-flying airplane mapping parts of northwestern California
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's U.S. Geological Survey issued the following news release:
An airplane operated under contract to the U.S. Geological Survey will be making low-level flights to map parts of northwestern California for about a month starting around August 21, 2024.
The survey area includes the cities and towns along the coast from approximately Humboldt Bay in the south to Crescent City in the north. Flights will cover the towns of Eureka, McKinleyvi
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N.J. U.S. Attorney: Los Angeles Man Admits Conspiring to Launder Money
NEWARK, New Jersey, Aug. 21 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on Aug. 20, 2024:
A California man today admitted conspiring to launder money obtained from internet-related fraud, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Charles Singleton, 64, of Los Angeles, California, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (Count One)
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SR-71 Pilot and University Instructor Make a Return Visit to Arnold AFB
ARNOLD AFB, Tennessee, Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Air Force Arnold Air Force Base issued the following news:
By Kali Bradford, AEDC Public Affairs
More than 100 Arnold Air Force Base personnel gathered at the Arnold AFB Main Auditorium July 30 for a presentation featuring retired Lt. Col. Ed Yeilding and Dr. Norm Speakman.
The men visited Arnold AFB, headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex, to reminisce about their time as co-op students more than 50 years ago.
Initially, their visit
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St. Charles Mesa Water District to Receive $175k EPA Water Infrastructure Grant
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release on Aug. 20, 2024:
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $175,158 grant to the St. Charles Mesa Water District in Pueblo, Colorado, to install a waterline that will protect drinking water system infrastructure from wildfires and drought.
The funding is part of $25.5 million in nationwide grants through a new EPA program to support drinking water systems in underserved, small and di
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State Selects and Funds 94 Wildfire Projects to Build Community and Climate Resilience
SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 21 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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What you need to know: California's Wildfire Prevention Grants Program has enabled over 450 wildfire resilience projects in the last five years that focus on increasing the protection of people, structures, communities and the environment.
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As part of the Newsom Administration's key priorities to bolster the state's wildfire response and resilience efforts, CAL FIRE has announced
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Surface Transportation Board Establishes Procedural Schedule, Addresses Other Issues in Amtrak Sunset Limited On-Time Performance Proceeding
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation Board issued the following news release on Aug. 19, 2024:
The Surface Transportation Board today issued a decision to establish a procedural schedule, address several motions and filings, and provide other directives regarding the Board's investigation into the on-time performance (OTP) of Amtrak's Sunset Limited service between New Orleans, Louisiana and Los Angeles, California. The Board is establishing the
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US Airman Returns World War II Artifacts Back to the Japanese people.
CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news:
OKINAWA, Japan
In trying times, small things become more special; a single photo, a favorite hat, or a kitschy souvenir from a dear friend. Those small things are like treasure for the soul.
By those measures, California Air National Guard Lt. Col. Patrick Cichon found a treasure trove in his father's old trunk. However, these valuables only held value an ocean awa
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US, Allies Execute Pacific Dragon 2024 Exercise
CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news:
Hawaii
Allied navies joined the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency to conduct the Pacific Dragon 2024 (PD24) ballistic missile defense exercise from July 29-Aug. 13, 2024, in waters around the Hawaiian Islands.
Pacific Dragon, hosted by U.S. 3rd Fleet, is a biennial exercise designed to improve participating forces' ability to work together to track and
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Wife Of Large-Scale Drug Trafficker Sentenced For Money Laundering Conspiracy
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release:
BOSTON A California woman has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for her role in a money laundering conspiracy involving proceeds of methamphetamine and marijuana distribution. The defendant laundered over $200,000 of her husband's drug proceeds.
In total, over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine, as well as an AK-47, a Glock with no s
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