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Ghostly remains of Cementland on exhibit at a St. Louis library

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Richard Sprengeler, a fine art and commercial photographer, took pictures of the ghostly remains of American sculptor Bob Cassilly's last work, Cementland. Sprengeler's pictures are on display at the main branch of the Central Library in Downtown St. Louis.He said that he stumbled upon the site after meeting a drone photographer on Laclede’s Landing, who provided him with information about the entrance to Cementland. Sprengeler said he had a passion for capturing urban decay and architectural marvels. That drove him to explore the neglected site.“As a fine art photographer and as a commercial photographer, I capture a lot of architecture, it's kind of my specialty,” he said. “I've been photographing St. Louis for 40 years, and I've done all sorts of different aspects of St. Louis and the most recent one I've been doing urban decay. This kind of fit right in with the urban decay theme, it was an abandoned industrial site that's just neglected turning into a garbage d...

2 men survive getting lost, stuck in mud in Death Valley

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:50 GMT

Two men are lucky to have survived getting lost in California's Death Valley National Park.On July 4, the men were driving through the park in a Chevrolet sedan when they took a wrong turn while navigating by GPS, park officials said.They drove back and forth on a gravel road for about three hours in the dark.“Around midnight, they became concerned about running out of gas and decided to drive directly across the salt flat to Badwater Road,” the National Park Service said.It didn’t work.The men's car got stuck in the mud as they tried to find Badwater Road. Death Valley National Park, California. July 2023 (NPS)Instead, the car got stuck in mud roughly one mile from where they left the road. Together, they walked the remaining mile to Badwater Road and then another 12 miles on the paved road, NPS said.Growing desperate to find help, the men decided to split up around 3 a.m.One walked six miles to the north where he was found around 8 a.m. by a family visiting the park, officials sai...

Firefighter hospitalized as crews battle blaze at Sylmar home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:50 GMT

A firefighter was taken to a hospital with a heat-related illness while battling a blaze at a Sylmar home Wednesday afternoon.The blaze was reported around 12:45 p.m. in the 13700 block of West Oscar Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The one-story single-family home, as well as the patio and detached garage, was burning and firefighters were working to defend two additional houses that were exposed to flames.“Excessive storage outside of the home and heavy fire throughout the structure, including the attic, is extending to a garage at the rear,” LAFD said in an alert.No other injuries were reported.

Disneyland Resort to celebrate Haunted Mansion's 54th anniversary with new merchandise item

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:50 GMT

A new limited-edition Haunted Mansion Hatbox Ghost tiki mug will materialize at Disneyland Resort on Aug. 9 in honor of the 54th anniversary of the attraction.The fan-favorite attraction opened on Aug. 9, 1969. These are the ‘best’ restaurants at the Disneyland Resort, according to Yelp The newest Hatbox Ghost tiki mug will be served with a specialty cocktail known as the Cloaked Specter. Guests have to be 21 to purchase the alcoholic beverage or can opt for the non-alcoholic version.A new limited-edition Haunted Mansion Hatbox Ghost tiki mug will materialize at Disneyland Resort on Aug. 9 in honor of the 54th anniversary of the attraction. (Disneyland Resort) Park guests can purchase the new mug at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel beginning at 11:30 a.m.Guests will be limited to two mugs per person, per transaction, while supplies last, according to the Disney Parks Blog.Disney also recently released “Haunted Mansion,” the latest re-telling of the story beh...

Alfredo Giron Pronounced Dead Following Motorcycle Accident on Interstate 25 [Las Cruces, NM]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:50 GMT

Motorcycle Collision near University Avenue Claimed the Life of One 33-Year-Old ManLAS CRUCES, NM (August 3, 2023) – Monday afternoon, Alfredo Giron III was killed in a motorcycle accident on Interstate 25.Authorities responded to the scene around 2:30 p.m., near New Mexico State University, after reports of a solo motorcycle crash.Per reports, the rider lost control of their bike near Universite Avenue, ejecting him onto the roadway. First responders quickly transported 33-year-old Giron to a nearby hospital, but was later pronounced dead due to the extent of his injuries.Las Cruces Officials shut down the roadway for a brief time to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties but has since been reopened.Anyone with further information about the fatal motorcycle crash along Interstate 25 is urged to contact local authorities as soon as possible. Additional information will be posted as it is made available to the public.Sincere sympathies to the family and friends of the decease...

Oakland: Liquor store clerk shot for refusing to lower the price of a bottle of booze

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:50 GMT

OAKLAND — The clerk of a liquor store on International Boulevard was shot and wounded while arguing with two patrons about the price of a bottle of alcohol, authorities said.The clerk, who was hospitalized but survived, was shot twice during an argument with two patrons who were trying to convince him to lower the price of particular bottle of liquor. After the clerk flat-out refused, one of the patrons, a yet-to-be-identified man, pulled out a gun, the clerk would later tell authorities.The clerk, fearing for his life, reached for his own weapon, and the man fired twice, striking the clerk, police said. The two patrons reportedly left without taking any items.No arrests have been made, and police haven’t disclosed any suspect information. The incident occurred June 23, on the 8900 block of International Boulevard in East Oakland.Staff writer Harry Harris contributed to this report.

San Jose: Men held after armed robbery at poker game nets $30k, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:50 GMT

SAN JOSE — A pair of men allegedly stole cash and property from a poker game at a San Jose home, leading to a two-months long investigation which ended when a suspect attempting to flee police instead fell through a ceiling, according to authorities.San Jose police said that they responded to reports of an armed robbery at a home on the 4000 block of Ambrose Court on May 4. A poker game involving more than 10 people was taking place inside when two armed, masked men broke through a rear sliding-glass door and entered the residence.The suspects allegedly demanded that the victims get down on the floor, and sent one to retrieve cash from a bedroom. The two men, both 39 years old and residents of San Jose, departed the home with stolen property and more than $30,000 in cash, police said.One victim was pistol-whipped in the head during the encounter.With the help of a police dog, one of the suspects was arrested that night. Police said they identified the other suspect during the invest...

SF Giants announce self-driving car company as jersey patch sponsor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:50 GMT

For the first time in the team’s 140-year history, the Giants will have a sponsor on their jersey.Cruise, described as “driverless ridehail service” in a press release on the official MLB website, now has a patch with the company’s logo on the shoulder of each jersey. The partnership will last until 2025.Cruise is a subsidiary of General Motors, has also been described as providing a robotaxi service.The #SFGiants and Cruise. Together, driving our city towards a safer, more environmentally sustainable future.Today, @Cruise becomes our first official jersey patch partner. pic.twitter.com/hQckJbCrOZ— SFGiants (@SFGiants) August 3, 2023As part of the partnership, hundreds of electric vehicle charging stations will be installed around Oracle Park.San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler said he is a fan of the partnership.“I think it’s really cool, and I think it was incorporated really well as it doesn’t stand out,” Kapler said. “And...

Kura Sushi brings its revolving sushi bar to San Jose

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:50 GMT

Kura Sushi, the popular Japanese chain that sends handmade sushi around its restaurants via conveyor belt, has brought its high-tech service model to North San Jose.This week’s opening at the Pacific Rim Plaza makes for four locations in the Bay Area (after Cupertino, Pleasanton, San Francisco) and 19 for California. Worldwide, there are more than 500 Kura restaurants.Customers order via iPad and select plates of sushi and appetizers as they stream nearby under covered domes. There’s also a special ordering system for kids.More than 100 menu items are offered, including 30 types of nigiri, 30 hand rolls (wrapped in seaweed or soy paper) and 22 sushi rolls. Rounding out the menu are hot sides (tempura, gyoza, takoyaki, Kura Crispy Fries); cold sides (sashimi, edamame); soups (miso, ramen, udon); and dessert (mochi, taiyaki, sesame balls).Kura boasts that it imports from Japan many of its key ingredients, including its secret-recipe vinegar, the special Kura broth starter ...

Bay Area man who flaunted guns on Instagram gets 5 years in federal prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:50 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — A San Rafael man who allegedly posted pictures of himself holding a pistol as he drove through Oakland has been sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison, court records show.Tyler Revels, 25, was sentenced in late June by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria. Revels pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge that stemmed from an April 2021 probation search of his home that occurred after his probation officer learned of the incriminating Instagram posts, prosecutors said.Probation officers found 60 loose bullets, a loaded pistol and multiple magazines in the home, authorities said.Revels was charged in federal court in October 2021, and was released from pretrial custody. During a search of his home in March 2022, authorities allegedly found identifying information for several people, including a woman who reported losing her wallet at a Bay Area spa days earlier. He pleaded guilty to the gun charge in May 2022.Despite t...