Man to be sentenced in California's first fentanyl-related murder case

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:07 GMT

Man to be sentenced in California's first fentanyl-related murder case A man convicted of second-degree murder in California's first fentanyl-related homicide case will be sentenced to prison on Friday.Vicente David Romero, 34, was found guilty of murder in August in a landmark trial for the state of California. During the trial, Romero admitted to giving 26-year-old Kelsey King a “split” pill that he knew contained fentanyl in Temecula on June 16, 2020.King later overdosed and died on the synthetic opioid, which officials say is more than 50 times more potent than heroin. Romero also admitted to additional charges related to firearms possession. He's expected in court at 8:30 a.m., at which point he could be sentenced to 15 years in prison. Romero’s case is the first of 25 active fentanyl-related homicide cases to go to trial in Riverside County, according to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.

Two Pronounced Dead after Solo Car Crash on State Route 54 [San Diego, CA]

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:07 GMT

Two Pronounced Dead after Solo Car Crash on State Route 54 [San Diego, CA] Driver and Passenger Dies in Fatal Single-Vehicle Rollover CrashSAN DIEGO, CA (November 2, 2023) – Early Sunday morning, two people were pronounced dead following a solo car crash on State Route 54.Around 2:30 a.m., law enforcement received a dispatch call near the westbound State Route 54 exit to Woodman Street. Moreover, the CHP received information indicating that a Nissan 370z, carrying two occupants, was traveling at excessive speeds in the westbound lanes when it suddenly veered to the right and collided forcefully with an elevated curb and guardrail.As a result, the impact of the crash sent the Nissan to roll over and end up in a steep ravine. The 52-year-old driver and his passenger suffered life-threatening injuries.Unfortunately, both of them succumbed to their injuries, and responding paramedics pronounced them deceased. Their identities were not yet revealed by the deputies.Consequently, the authorities blocked the Woodman Drive on-ramp to west SR-54 while they cle...

3 Injured in Car Accident on South Vermont Avenue [Los Angeles, CA]

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:07 GMT

3 Injured in Car Accident on South Vermont Avenue [Los Angeles, CA] Three Hospitalized after Auto Collision near Slauson AvenueLOS ANGELES, CA (November 2, 2023) – An accident involving a car took place on South Vermont Avenue Thursday afternoon, resulting in the hospitalization of at least three individuals.The incident unfolded at approximately 3:45 p.m. in the 5900 block of South Vermont Avenue, just north of Slauson Avenue.Upon arrival at the scene, authorities discovered that a car had collided with a one-story building housing Armor Dentistry, a children’s dental office.Firefighters successfully extricated three individuals from the wreckage. Among them, a woman and a juvenile passenger of the vehicle required medical attention. Paramedics also transported these two patients to a nearby hospital, although the exact nature of their injuries remains unspecified.Furthermore, an occupant inside the dental office complained of health issues following the incident and was also transported by ambulance. After fulfilling their initial resp...

4 Hospitalized after 2-Car Crash on Creath Place [San Antonio, TX]

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:07 GMT

4 Hospitalized after 2-Car Crash on Creath Place [San Antonio, TX] Speeding Collision near Walhalla Avenue Injured At Least Five PeopleSAN ANTONIO, TX (November 2, 2023) – Sunday afternoon, a two-vehicle crash injured five individuals on Creath Place.The incident occurred within the 200 block of Creath Place around noon on October 19th, as confirmed by the authorities.According to reports, a teenager was speeding southbound on Walhalla Avenue when he ran through a stop sign and struck an eastbound car with four individuals inside.Responding medics transported the four occupants and the driver to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No further details including the identities of the victims were made available to the public.At the time, police only identified the driver as a 15-year-old and issued a citation for driving without a license.Moreover, the car crash on Creath Place is still being investigated and additional information will be given once they are available.One small driving mistake can easily lead to a dangerous car cra...

Driver Fatally Struck after Attempting to Flee Collision on Loop 820 [Fort Worth, TX]

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:07 GMT

Driver Fatally Struck after Attempting to Flee Collision on Loop 820 [Fort Worth, TX] Suspect Pronounced Dead after Hit-and-Run Accident near Martha LaneFORT WORTH, TX (November 2, 2023) – A tragic incident occurred Friday night, when a driver, attempting to escape a collision on Loop 820 was struck and killed.At approximately 8:00 p.m., law enforcement arrived at the location in the 2110 block of Northwest Loop 820, near Martha Lane, on October 20th. Officers say an individual exited their vehicle in an attempt to flee from the accident, only to be struck by the driver of an oncoming vehicle.The pedestrian’s injuries were so severe that medical personnel on the scene had to declare him deceased.However, the identity of the victim has not been disclosed by authorities as of now. Currently, an active investigation is in progress to gather more information.The team at Sweet James offers their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of the deceased victim. May you find comfort and strength during this difficult time.Losing a loved one in a ca...

Three Dead after Solo-Vehicle Crash on Highway 44 [Shingletown, CA]

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:07 GMT

Three Dead after Solo-Vehicle Crash on Highway 44 [Shingletown, CA] Car Accident near Bush Creek Road Kills 3, Two Children InjuredSHINGLETOWN, CA (November 2, 2023) – Tuesday night, a solo-vehicle crash on Highway 44 left at least three people dead, and two juveniles hurt.The fatal accident happened around 7:55 p.m. along westbound Highway 44, approaching Bush Creek Road.According to CHP, a 4Runner attempted to avoid a deer on the roadway. Consequently, the 4 Runner went off the north road edge of the highway where it overturned and crashed into a large tree.Consequently, emergency responders extricated five people inside the vehicle. Four of the occupants were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.Three of the occupants sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.Paramedics rushed the two other patients, believed to be juveniles, to Mercy Medical Center in Redding. They were eventually airlifted to UC Davis for treatment of major injuries.Additionally, a large portion of the surrounding area was temporarily shut down to all...

Man Hospitalized after Hit-and-Run on Beachy Avenue [Los Angeles, CA]

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:07 GMT

Man Hospitalized after Hit-and-Run on Beachy Avenue [Los Angeles, CA] Traffic Crash at Terra Bella Street Seriously Injured OneLOS ANGELES, CA (November 2, 2023) – Tuesday night, a hit-and-run collision on Beachy Avenue sent a man to a hospital. The collision happened around 11:45 p.m. at Beachy Avenue and Terra Bella Street in the neighborhood of Arleta. According to the police, a blue sedan crashed into a residential fence before hitting a man. However, the driver fled the scene without rendering aid to the victim.Responding medical personnel transported the male pedestrian to a hospital and is expected to be okay. Following the incident, authorities discovered the suspect’s vehicle to be stolen, and was later found four miles away from the scene.No further information about the accident has been released to the public at this time. Anyone with additional details is asked to contact local authorities.Thousands of people are injured each year due to reckless driving. If you’re behind the wheel, pay full attention to the road and your surroundin...

Major guilty plea in Santa Clara County gun permit corruption case

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:07 GMT

Major guilty plea in Santa Clara County gun permit corruption case A man charged in a landmark corruption case that accused top Santa Clara County sheriff commanders of favor-trading concealed-gun permits has pleaded guilty, becoming the first indicted defendant convicted from a scandal that ultimately led to former sheriff Laurie Smith’s ouster under heavy political and legal scrutiny.SAN JOSE, CA – AUGUST 31: Michael Nichols, right, is photographed outside of the San Jose Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. Nichols was arraigned on conspiracy and bribery charges involving concealed weapon permits in Santa Clara County. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group) Michael Adrian Nichols, 48, a Milpitas-based gunmaker, admitted in court Thursday to one misdemeanor count  of conspiracy to solicit a bribe, in connection with a 2020 indictment alleging that he — along with a political fundraiser for Smith, a sheriff’s captain and an attorney friend — brokered a deal for a large donation supporting Smith’s 201...

Sharks’ Duclair in spotlight; and how long losing streak can end (from a guy who’s been there)

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:07 GMT

Sharks’ Duclair in spotlight; and how long losing streak can end (from a guy who’s been there) SAN JOSE – Anthony Duclair will play his 500th career NHL game on Thursday night when the San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks.“I’m so blessed,” Duclair said Thursday morning. “All I can think of right now is my family back home and all the sacrifices they made for me to live my childhood dream. Five hundred goes by pretty quickly.”But considering Duclair’s contract status – and the Sharks’ dismal start to the season – it’s fair to wonder how many more milestones the winger will celebrate in San Jose.One of the pressing questions Sharks general manager Mike Grier will have to answer in the coming months is how many of his pending unrestricted free agents he’ll try to sign past this season. That list is led by Duclair, who is in the final year of a three-year, $9 million deal and could net the Sharks a sizeable return prior to March’s trade deadline because of his speed and scoring pedigree.Grier said at the start of training camp that he did see the value of extending so...

Home decor: 7 ways to make your porch look more inviting

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:07 GMT

Home decor: 7 ways to make your porch look more inviting Today’s column is a plea on behalf of neighbors who are tired of looking at porches and patios cluttered with rusty tricycles, dilapidated dog houses, step ladders, last year’s Christmas lights and every faded tchotchke that didn’t quite make it to the garbage bin but should have.A few weeks ago, a fed-up reader wrote in to say, “How about an article on how to undecorate your porch? Honestly, it has gotten out of hand. In my neighborhood, porches are ‘decorated’ with signs, chairs, tables, lamps, stools, end tables, pillows, plants, wreaths, string lights, mini refrigerators, lawn statues, fake trees, wicker deer and more, sometimes all on one porch! Can you please tell your readers to throw away half of what they have on their porches, then throw away half of what is still left? Thanks. Marlene”We talk a lot in this column about decluttering the inside of our homes, but we shouldn’t ignore the rooms outside. In fact, decluttering and thoughtfully furnishing ...