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Joseph Pedott, 91, Dies; Made Chia Pets an ‘as Seen on TV’ Sensation

Published Sun, 02 Mar 2025 11:25:32 GMT

Joseph Pedott, whose decades of commercials for the zany plantlike figurines known as Chia Pets launched them into the pantheon of American consumer culture, died on June 22 in San Francisco. He was 91.The cause was cardiac arrest, said Sherry Ettleson, a family friend.The origins of the Chia Pet’s popularity can be traced to March 1977, when Pedott (pronounced PEE-dot), an independent advertising executive, wandered around a Chicago home and housewares trade expo looking for new clients. He asked the head of sales at the Thrifty drugstore chain about his bestselling product.“He said, ‘There’s this stupid item called the Chia Pet. I don’t know why anybody buys it,’” Pedott later recalled.The sales executive faxed Pedott a picture of the stupid item in question. It was a terra cotta figurine manufactured in Oaxaca, Mexico, sold along with a chia seed spread. When watered for a week or two, the seeds sprouted hairlike grass.However odd the Chi...

Man sold fentanyl at Yucaipa's Bar and Grill, Sheriff's Department says

Published Sun, 02 Mar 2025 11:25:32 GMT

A Yucaipa man is facing drug and gun charges after an anonymous tipster alerted them to fentanyl sales at a local bar and restaurant. Lawrence Braggs, 44, was at the Bar and Grill Company in the 34500 block of Yucaipa Boulevard at about 12:30 a.m. when deputies investigating the tip spotted him retrieving fentanyl from his Nissan Rogue in the parking lot, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said in a news release. The SUV's registration was expired, allowing deputies to pull Braggs over and discover he had a suspended license and active warrants for his arrest, deputies said. "A search of his person and vehicle yielded two bags of fentanyl, packaging, and a large amount of U.S. currency," the release added.A search of Braggs' home yielded even more contraband, including a pistol, a shotgun, ammunition, more fentanyl, psilocybin mushrooms, cash, packaging and scales, authorities said.He faces charges of illegal sale and transportation of narcotics and possession of narcoti...

‘Prolific’ mail thief arrested in Irvine, police say

Published Sun, 02 Mar 2025 11:25:32 GMT

A man described as a “prolific” mail thief was arrested in Irvine this week, police said Friday.Tanoah Daniel Marsh, 33, of Anaheim, was arrested and booked Wednesday after a search warrant was issued and authorities found thousands of pieces of stolen mail. Police say Marsh allegedly had an elaborate locksmith set up, which he used to create keys for himself and others to access mailbox and buildings.Investigators are working with U.S. Postal Service inspectors to identify victims in this case.Police provided images of some of the evidence seized, including keys, tools and mail.No further details about the alleged crimes was released.

Heat wave, fireworks to deliver double shot of air pollution in L.A. area

Published Sun, 02 Mar 2025 11:25:32 GMT

Southern California’s first heat wave of the season is going to lead to increased air pollution over the holiday weekend, and fireworks will also contribute, experts say.A high-pressure system over the Southland will push temperatures into the upper 90s and triple digits in the inland valleys and deserts Friday through Monday, according to the National Weather Service.Scott Epstein, program supervisor with the South Coast Air Quality Management District, says the hot weather is the first of two factors colliding to produce poor air quality.Century City is seen through the smog from a camera in downtown Los Angeles on June 30, 2023. (KTLA)“With heat in the summer, we get a lot of smog pollution,” Epstein told KTLA Friday. “You get a lot more evaporation of emissions, and the reactions in the atmosphere that form ozone happen faster when temperatures are higher.”Epstein is expecting air pollution to reach unhealthy levels over the next several days, particularly in the afternoons. ...

Motorcyclist Pronounced Dead Following Car Crash on Decatur Boulevard [Las Vegas, NV]

Published Sun, 02 Mar 2025 11:25:32 GMT

Motorcycle Accident on Tropicana Avenue Left One FatalityLAS VEGAS, NV (June 30, 2023) – On Monday morning, a motorcyclist died in a car crash on Decatur Boulevard.The accident happened around 7:53 a.m., near the intersection of Decatur Boulevard and Reno Avenue, close to Tropicana Avenue.According to the reporters, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated that the collision involved a vehicle and a motorcycle.The motorcyclist was taken to University Medical Center, where they were confirmed dead.The driver of the Dodge involved in the collision remained at the scene and showed no signs of impairment, according to police.Moreover, a large portion of the roadway was temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties.No other information is currently available about the motorcycle crash on Decatur Boulevard. Although, an active investigation is underway.The Sweet James team sends their warm and sincerest sympathies out to the friends and family of the victi...

2 Dead after Head-On Collision on Lasselle Street [Moreno Valley, CA]

Published Sun, 02 Mar 2025 11:25:32 GMT

Two Drivers Fatally Struck in Head-On Accident near Cll AguaMORENO VALLEY, CA (June 30, 2023) – Early Monday morning, two drivers were killed in a head-on collision on Lasselle Street.The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m., near Cll Agua on June 19th. Dispatchers responded to the scene shortly after.Officers say the driver of a 2001 Toyota Celica was heading south on Lasselle at a high rate of speed and lost control.As a result, the Toyota struck the center median before veering into oncoming lanes and striking a 2008 Nissan Maxima head-on.Due to the extent of injuries sustained, medics pronounced both drivers dead at the scene. Although, authorities have not yet released their identities.Emergency crews blocked off the surrounding area for a brief time during cleanup operations. Following preliminary duties, it was unknown if alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision.The team at Sweet James offers their sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased victi...

Best SlotHunter Casino Bonus Codes in 2023: Get Up to C$2,000 + 200 Free Spins

Published Sun, 02 Mar 2025 11:25:32 GMT

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Bay Area temperatures bring summer feel in time for Fourth of July

Published Sun, 02 Mar 2025 11:25:32 GMT

At a corner store near an East Bay highway, a line formed of people all holding refrigerated beverages. At a small water park, parents arrived with small kids and dogs and took a soak.The scene likely repeated itself throughout the region Friday, as summer arrived in its look and feel. Temperatures soared into the 90s, and threatened 100 degrees in a few areas. Even most of the cooler spots in the region were warmer than normal.“As far as the timing of this, we knew it was gonna be Friday and Saturday that were going to be the peak [temperature] days,” National Weather Service meteorologist Brooke Bingaman said. “The heat itself may be a bit more than we anticipated.”The heat, which was not forecast to break any records, also comes as a four-day holiday weekend arrives. The Fourth of July is likely to create a dynamic that puts a lot of people outside, and officials emphasized the need to stay hydrated and to be careful consuming alcohol and caffeine.In Liver...

Single family residence sells in Alameda for $2.6 million

Published Sun, 02 Mar 2025 11:25:32 GMT

3329 Washington Court – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 3300 block of Washington Court in Alameda has new owners. The 2,552-square-foot property, built in 1984, was sold on May 25, 2023, for $2,600,000, or $1,019 per square foot. The property features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a garage. It sits on a 5,100-square-foot lot.Additional houses that have recently changed hands close by include:In January 2023, a 1,124-square-foot home on Peach Street in Alameda sold for $1,200,000, a price per square foot of $1,068. The home has 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom.On Hansen Avenue, Alameda, in February 2023, a 1,748-square-foot home was sold for $1,600,000, a price per square foot of $915. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 2,002-square-foot home on the 2900 block of Bayview Drive in Alameda sold in May 2023, for $1,810,000, a price per square foot of $904. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. 

Eight things to know about California’s new state Assembly speaker

Published Sun, 02 Mar 2025 11:25:32 GMT

California’s Assembly Speaker is among the Golden State’s most powerful political positions, a perch considered second only to the governor in influence. It has catapulted the careers of many legendary politicians, from Ralph M. Brown to Jesse “Big Daddy” Unruh to Willie Brown.On Friday, for the first time in more than seven years, the Assembly gavel was passed to a new Speaker: Assemblyman Robert Rivas, 43, a Democrat whose district stretches from Gilroy to King City and includes Hollister, Watsonville and Salinas, replaces fellow Democrat Anthony Rendon, 55, of Los Angeles County.So what do you need to know about this shift of power in the Capitol?The role of SpeakerThe Speaker presides over California’s 80-member state Assembly, appointing committee chairs and controlling the flow of legislation through hearings and votes. Elected by the full Assembly, the Speaker is nominated by the majority party caucus, becoming its leader and influencing campaign...