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Martinez refinery official apologizes to city council and residents after chemical releases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:10 GMT

On a night when the city passed a resolution castigating the Martinez Refining Company for their performance over the last 12 months, the refinery’s manager issued a set of apologies and an acknowledgment that if the company doesn’t get its act together soon, the consequences could be dire.“We understand that not only being a good neighbor, but truly our license depends on our ability to operate in a safe and responsible manner,” said Daniel Ingram, manager of the Martinez Refining company. “We don’t take these issues lightly.”Ingram’s report included a more full accounting of the spent catalyst release last November, when residents woke up to a layer of fine white silt on their cars and window sills. The Martinez Refining Company, whose sprawling campus defines the east side of the city, said the release was “non-toxic,” “non-hazardous”, and “naturally occurring” spent catalyst dust used in the refining process.Related ArticlesEnvironment | Big federal dollars for ...

Review: Rolling Stones’ new ‘Hackney Diamonds’ album sparkles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:10 GMT

By Jocelyn Noveck | Associated PressNear the end of the exultant “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” the penultimate track on The Rolling Stones’ terrific new album “Hackney Diamonds” (yes, NEW), we hear what sounds like a vocal contest between two up-and-comers: one Mick Jagger and one Lady Gaga.“Oh yeah!” they sing, with escalating urgency. “Come on!” Are they tussling here? Actually, Jagger has confirmed there were competitive juices flowing as they completed the track.To which we say, let the games continue! The competition is emblematic of the joyous energy that infuses the Stones’ first collection of original music in 18 years, out Friday. It’s their best new work in decades — tight, focused, full of heart and swagger.Related ArticlesMusic | Review: ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ among greatest concert films of all time Music | Review: Where was the ‘real Peter Gabriel’ during San Francisco concert? Music | Mi...

Jordan vows to stay in speaker race as tensions erupt inside GOP meeting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:10 GMT

(CNN) — Tensions are boiling over among House Republicans on Thursday afternoon as the conference searches for a viable path forward with Rep. Jim Jordan so far vowing to stay in the race to be the next speaker despite substantial resistance. Jordan affirmed Thursday that he is still running for the speaker’s gavel and said he plans to talk to House Republicans who have opposed his candidacy in two floor votes. The Ohio Republican faces an uphill battle to win over holdouts, however, and is under growing pressure from within the GOP conference to drop out. A closed-door GOP conference meeting on Thursday turned heated, multiple sources told CNN, with some members railing against Jordan, and one swearing at Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who led the rebellion against former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, whose ouster has led to the more than two week leadership vacuum.There was also debate during the meeting over whether Republicans should support a resolution to temporarily exp...

Newly appointed Sen. Butler will not seek re-election

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:10 GMT

By Michael R. Blood | Associated PressLOS ANGELES — Newly appointed California Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler announced Thursday she will not seek election to a full term in 2024, avoiding what would have been a costly and bruising race for the seat held for three decades by the late Dianne Feinstein.Butler — who was named earlier this month by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to complete Feinstein’s remaining term — said in a statement she made the decision after considering “what kind of life I want to have, what kind of service I want to offer and what kind of voice I want to bring forward.”“Knowing you can win a campaign doesn’t always mean you should run a campaign. I know this will be a surprise to many because traditionally we don’t see those who have power let it go,” Butler added. “It may not be the decision people expected but it’s the right one for me.”Her candidacy would have complicated an already crowded race tha...

49ers safety Gipson speaks on controversial hit; Moody copes with misses; Bosa eyes Cousins

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:10 GMT

SANTA CLARA – Tashaun Gipson Sr. said Thursday he puts the 49ers’ first loss of the season “on my shoulder. It’s just a terrible feeling.”About that shoulder …Gipson is still awaiting word on whether he’ll be fined – or if officials were incorrect – regarding his shoulder-to-shoulder hit on Browns receiver Elijah Moore. That unnecessary roughness penalty on a third-down incompletion bailed out the Cleveland Browns’ go-ahead drive in their 19-17 upset.Moore was airborne at the Browns’ 34-yard line when his and Gipson’s right shoulders collided, while P.J. Walker’s errant pass sailed incomplete.“It was a bang-bang play. But once you watch the replays, in slow motion, it makes it worse,” Gipson said. “As a competitor, you look and say, ‘What else would I do differently?’ I don’t know.”Gipson made what he called “a conscious effort” to avoid helmet-to-helmet contact, not just for Moore’s sake but his own.“The league is about protecting players. I don’t think I did anything v...

Burt Young dies at 83; Oscar-nominated actor played Paulie in ‘Rocky’ films

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:10 GMT

By Andrew Dalton | Associated PressLOS ANGELES — Burt Young, the Oscar-nominated actor who played Paulie, the rough-hewn, mumbling-and-grumbling best friend, corner-man and brother-in-law to Sylvester Stallone in the “Rocky” franchise, has died.Young died Oct. 8 in Los Angeles, his daughter, Anne Morea Steingieser, told the New York Times on Wednesday. No cause was given. He was 83.Young had roles in acclaimed films and television shows including “Chinatown,” “Once Upon a Time in America” and “The Sopranos.”But he was always best known for playing Paulie Pennino in six “Rocky” movies. The short, paunchy, balding Young was the sort of actor who always seemed to play middle-aged no matter his age.When Paulie first appears in 1976’s “Rocky,” he’s an angry, foul-mouthed meat packer who is abusive to his sister Adrian (Talia Shire), with whom he shares a small apartment in Philadelphia. He berates the shy, meek Adrian for refusing at first to go on a Thanksgiving-night ...

Exceptional home in exclusive 55+ community

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:10 GMT

The Sullivan floor plan, part of the Terrata Homes series by LGI Homes, is available for quick move in at Summit at Liberty, a premier 55+ community in Rio Vista, California. This master-planned community features thoughtfully designed, move-in-ready homes and resort-style amenities that allow residents to embrace the height of life.The Sullivan floor plan includes one- and two-car garages, professional front-yard landscaping and a host of interior upgrades. The Sullivan floor plan redefines luxury living, boasting an array of elevated features and top-tier finishes. With three spacious bedrooms, two bathrooms, a designer kitchen with a host of upgrades and more, this floor plan will surpass your expectations. Its open-concept layout ensures easy living and unparalleled comfort, while an additional flex room can transform into a study, craft room or formal dining space. The master bedroom is a true retreat, with ample space for your king-size furniture and a fully loaded, en su...

Hells Angels member gets 4 years for incinerating murder victim’s body in clandestine cremation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:10 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Merl Hefferman, the former president of the Fresno Hells Angels who prosecutors believe cremated the bodies of four homicide victims, has been sentenced to four years in federal prison, authorities said.Hefferman, 54, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for a single clandestine cremation at a Fresno funeral home, and vehemently denied involvement in any others. Prosecutors asked for an 87-month prison term, the defense wanted 30 months and the federal probation department asked for 50 months, authorities said.The sentence was handed down Thursday morning by U.S. District Judge Edward Chen, the same judge who presided over two lengthy trials that dealt with both the cremation and the underlying murder. The victim, East Bay resident Joel Silva, was shot in the back of the head in the Hells Angels’ Fresno clubhouse in July 2014, according to the testimony of a former Richmond Hells Angels who dropped out after members of the biker gang beat him to a blo...

What’s next after nearly 100 days of Hollywood actors strike?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:10 GMT

By Andrew Dalton | Associated PressLOS ANGELES — While screenwriters are busy back at work, film and TV actors remain on picket lines, with the longest strike in their history set to hit 100 days on Saturday after talks broke off with studios. Here’s a look at where things stand, how their stretched-out standoff compares to past strikes, and what happens next.INSIDE THE ACTORS-STUDIO TALKS THAT FAILEDHopes were high and leaders of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists were cautiously optimistic when they resumed negotiations on Oct. 2 for the first time since the strike began 2 1/2 months earlier.The same group of chief executives from the biggest studios had made a major deal just over a week earlier with striking writers, whose leaders celebrated their gains on many issues actors are also fighting for: long-term pay, consistency of employment and control over the use of artificial intelligence.But the actors’ talks were tepid, with...

Suspect at large in attempted robbery at Palo Alto Walgreens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:10 GMT

(KRON) -- Authorities are looking for a suspect after an attempted robbery Tuesday at a Walgreens, the Palo Alto Police Department said in a press release. The attempted robbery happened at the location of 2605 Middlefield Road.The suspect is described to be a Hispanic man in his 20s or 30s with a thin build, wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt. A surveillance image of the suspect can be viewed below. Over $130K of property stolen from rental car parked in San Mateo (Palo Alto Police Department)Around 10:20 a.m., the suspect unsuccessfully tried to snatch a female victim's purse away from her at the store's parking lot, according to PAPD. The victim was not physically injured, but the suspect was able to escape. The suspect was riding a skateboard in the parking lot when he approached the victim from behind, police said.PAPD detectives believe this suspect may be responsible for a similar attempted robbery on Oct. 9 on the 2800 block of Middlefield Road, the release said. ...