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3 California theme parks named among the 'most-visited' globally

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:51 GMT

Three California theme parks were named among the most visited theme parks in the world, according to the annual index report released by Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM.The yearly study looks at estimated theme park attendance for the previous year at some of the world’s most popular theme park destinations. Typically, theme parks don’t disclose official attendance figures.Disneyland Park, Disney’s California Adventure and Universal Studios, Hollywood were all named on the list earning the second, 13th and 15th spots, respectively out of the 25 theme parks named on the list. These Disney characters are set to appear at Disneyland’s first-ever After Dark Pride event The study estimated that 16.81 million people visited Disneyland Park, 9 million visited Disney California Adventure and 8.4 million visited Universal Studios, Hollywood last year.Disneyland had a 97% increase over the previous year’s attendance, while Disney’s California Adventure and Universal Studios, Hollywo...

California's wet winter means dirtier beach water

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:51 GMT

An annual “Beach Report Card” released Wednesday concludes historic winter precipitation in California is resulting in high rates of runoff and dirtier water along the coast.Heal The Bay said just two beaches statewide made its 2022-2023 Honor Roll — Bean Hollow State Beach in San Mateo County, just south of San Francisco, and Point Loma in San Diego County.In the last survey, 51 beaches made the Honor Roll. The environmental nonprofit surveys more than 500 beaches and assigns letter grades, A-plus through F. Several Southern California beaches under high bacteria warning The exceedingly wet winter brought multiple rain-triggered sewage spills and flushed pollutants, including bacteria, through storm drains into the ocean, the report said.“This year, record precipitation produced major impacts on water quality across Coastal California,” said Tracy Quinn, CEO of Heal the Bay. “Now more than ever, we must prioritize multi-benefit projects to manage stormwater as both a water qualit...

Transgender issue proving costly for Bud Light

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:51 GMT

After more than two decades as America’s best-selling beer, Bud Light has slipped into second place.Modelo Especial, a Mexican lager, overtook Bud Light in U.S. retail dollar sales in the month ending June 3, according to Nielsen data analyzed by Bump Williams Consulting. Modelo controlled 8.4% of U.S. grocery, convenience and liquor store sales; Bud Light fell to 7.3%. It's a milestone in Bud Light's months-long sales decline since early April, when critics who were angered by the brewer sending a commemorative can to transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney vowed to boycott the brand. Bud Light has also faced backlash from Mulvaney’s fans, who think the brand didn’t do enough to support her.Dave William, Bump Williams’ vice president of analytics and insights, said Bud Light has been the top-selling U.S. beer since 2001, and it could still retain that crown this year. He noted that Bud Light’s year-to-date market share of 9% is still outpacing Modelo’s, at 8%. And Bud Light's sales v...

Long Beach man accused in 2 attempted kidnappings

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:51 GMT

A Long Beach man has been arrested in connection with two attempted kidnappings that happened only days apart, and now police are searching for additional possible victims.On Sunday, Long Beach Police Department officers arrested Eugene Martindale III, 28, for his alleged role in the crimes. Eugene Martindale III is shown in this undated photo provided by the Long Beach Police Department.The first attempted kidnapping happened on the morning of June 1 on the 1200 block of Chestnut Avenue, according to the Long Beach Police Department.A 12-year-old girl told police she was walking on the sidewalk when a man, believed to be Martindale, tried to talk with her. The girl ignored the man multiple times and kept walking, when he approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her. The girl managed to free herself, run away and report the incident. She was uninjured, but shaken up, police said.Detectives collected evidence related to that attack and were able to identify Martindale a...

Smart Circle Hosts R&R Event 2023 in Punta Cana

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:51 GMT

Smart Circle is a leading outsourced sales broker, connecting clients to a network of independent sales companies specializes in face-to-face marketing and in-person sales. Smart Circle’s clients range from Fortune 500 companies to national retailers to companies in emerging markets. While they certainly know how to work hard, they also know how to celebrate in style, which was on display at their R&R Event 2023, held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.R&R 2023 welcomed Smart Circles’ independent sales network, along with executives, leaders and clients worldwide. Together, they pulled off an event that fostered meaningful connections, showed appreciation for their work, and encouraged great fun and relaxation.Smart Circle organized various activities during the retreat, including team-building exercises, networking events, and group outings. These events allowed attendees to unwind and enjoy their time while providing opportunities for personal growth and professional connec...

Master of Style: The Global Impact of Vicky Cheung, Fashion’s Bridge Between East and West

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:51 GMT

Fashion has an enchanting language of its own. It speaks volumes, transcends boundaries, and connects cultures. With a heart pulsating to the rhythm of avant-garde fashion and a mind fueled by a relentless drive to connect East and West, Vicky Cheung has spun the globe into her runway.As an established producer and fashion director, Vicky Cheung is reshaping the sartorial landscape with a vision as expansive as the transcontinental influences she straddles. From Beijing’s historic lanes to San Francisco’s creative havens, she has meticulously woven an illustrious narrative stitched together with groundbreaking collaborations, deft directorial work, and a distinctive style that has put her on the global map.Cheung’s fascinating journey commenced in the hallowed halls of Beijing’s esteemed Renmin University High School. Fueled by a lifelong passion for fashion, Cheung’s journey took her across the Pacific. San Francisco’s Academy of Art University became her home, where she honed her ...

L.A. City Council May Suspend Price Amid Criminal Charges

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:51 GMT

Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian announced plans to file a motion to suspend Councilman Curren Price amid criminal charges.Krekorian addressed the Price news at the top of Wednesday’s council meeting, telling the council he wants member input on the situation.“… I know that all of us were stunned by the news that was reported yesterday,” Krekorian said. “Today, I am filing a motion to begin the process for suspension of Councilmember Price. That does not presuppose an outcome in any way, but I think that it’s important that this council have the opportunity to consider what the best course of action should be, given the pending criminal charges against our colleague.”The motion will be sent to the council rules committee before being put to a vote by the council members.The council members will be given time to review the charges against Price, which include 10 counts of embezzlement, three counts of perjury and two counts o...

Motorcyclist Killed in Two-Vehicle Accident on Highway 4 [Pittsburg, CA]

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:51 GMT

Unidentified Rider Pronounced Dead after Motorcycle Collision near Railroad AvenuePITTSBURG, CA (June 14, 2023) – Saturday night, one rider was pronounced dead after a two-vehicle accident on Highway 4.The incident occurred around 11:15 p.m., on the eastbound lanes of the freeway just west of Railroad Avenue.Per reports, the rider of a Harley Davidson rear-ended a Kia Optima. However, further events leading up remain unclear.Upon impact, the motorcyclist was ejected onto the road and suffered life-threatening injuries. First responders arrived and pronounced the rider dead at the scene. Although, authorities have not yet released their identity.In addition, police say the driver of the Kia did not sustain any injuries. At this time, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway. Once available, more details will be released.The team at Sweet James offers their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of the deceased victim....

‘The most depraved crime I ever handled’: Transgender activist gets life in prison for murdering Oakland family

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:51 GMT

OAKLAND — A well-known transgender activist was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for murdering three family members in a brutal and frenzied attack that the judge said was the worst he’d seen in 33 years.Dana Rivers, 68, of San Jose, was found guilty last year of murdering Oakland resident Charlotte Reed, 56, her wife Patricia Wright, 57, and Wright’s 19-year-old son, Benny Toto Diambu-Wright, in a frenzied attack inside the victims’ home. Prosecutors say she used a handgun, equipped with a silencer, to shoot the victims, and that she stabbed Reed 47 times as the couple slept in their bedroom, then set the garage on fire in an attempt to cover her tracks.“It is a horrible thing to sentence someone to die in prison, and I don’t take that lightly,” Judge Scott Patton said in a Wednesday court hearing. “But this is the most depraved crime I ever handled in the criminal justice system in 33 years. Frankly, you deserve to spend...

Stanford professor accused of domestic abuse blames recent disappearance on fall, concussion

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:51 GMT

A Stanford biology professor accused of assaulting his then-girlfriend in 2022 blamed his recent overdue return from a backpacking trip in Washington state on having slipped on a snowy slope, leaving him “disoriented and lost” for days in the wilderness.Hunter Fraser, 44, issued his first public statement since being found Sunday on the east side of Olympic National Park, days after he was originally scheduled to return from a 40-mile trek. His disappearance — during which court officials say he missed a hearing in Santa Clara County concerning the domestic violence case — prompted a massive search by authorities that spanned more than 70 miles of trails in northwest Washington.Fraser, a biology professor and medical researcher, runs the Fraser Laboratory at Stanford, while also serving as a member of Bio-X, Stanford’s interdisciplinary biosciences institute. He also is involved in the Maternal & Child Health Research Institute, the Stanford Cancer Institute and the ...