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Sick sea lions, dolphins overwhelming Southern California rescue organization

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:02 GMT

Sickened marine mammals poisoned by an algal bloom in Southern California waters are overwhelming a local rescue organization. Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute responds to beached sea lions and other sick mammals, evaluates their condition and, if needed, attempts to nurse the animals back to health.But a recent algal bloom off the coast of Southern California is leading to more and more marine mammals getting sickened by a type of poison that is growing ever more prevalent: domoic acid toxicity. Known colloquially as the "Red Tide," domoic acid is a naturally occuring neurotoxin that is produced by blooming algae in California waters. The blooms tend to happen more regularly in spring and autumn when nutrients from the deep are brought to the surface and exposed to sunlight.A sick sea lion, possibly suffering from domoic acid toxicity, is seen resting on a California beach in June 2023. (Channel Islands Marine Wildlife Institute)Fish and other animals low on the foo...

Search efforts continue across Mount Baldy for actor Julian Sands 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:02 GMT

Another large search for British actor Julian Sands, who disappeared while hiking in the mountains near Los Angeles in January, has ended in disappointment.According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, over 80 Search and Rescue volunteers, deputies and staff searched on Saturday for the 65-year-old with the help of two helicopters and drone crews, officials said. Over 80 Search and Rescue volunteers, deputies and staff with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department conducting another search effort for missing actor Julian Sands in the San Gabriel Mountains on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (SBSD)Aviation resources conducted aerial search and assessment efforts over remote areas across Mount Baldy, and the drone crews searched areas that were inaccessible to ground crews, police said. “Despite the recent warmer weather, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions,” SBSD said in a statement. “Multiple areas include steep terrai...

Dosing CBG vs. CBD Oil — Are There Any Differences?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:02 GMT

CBG has yet to “steal the show” in the international hemp market, but it has been making waves in the industry. This rare cannabinoid shares many traits with the more popular CBD, and some customers claim it has a unique “soothing” effect. Since CBG and CBD are so similar, many people assume it’s safe to dose them identically. However, new CBG customers should carefully inspect the minimum recommended dosage of their product.What’s The Best Dose Of CBG For Beginners?Like CBD, it’s impossible to give a universally valid dose for CBG oils. Not only do we have few studies on CBG’s effects, everyone reacts to this cannabinoid differently. Our body type, age, and metabolism will impact how much CBG will pass the blood-brain barrier. Also, different CBG products have different average absorption rates.As a general rule, new customers must stick with the lowest recommended dose of CBG oil. Many anecdotal reports suggest just 5 mg of CBG could have noticeable effects. This is especially tru...

Big Boss Vette has Needs

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:02 GMT

Big Boss Vette has Needs: Rapper Big Boss Vette has released new single and video “Ion Need” via Beatstaz/Amigo Records/Republic Records.In her own inimitable manner, Big Boss Vette explains why she doesn’t need a man, they need her.“The clip delivers a fast-paced behind-the-scenes vignette soundtracked by the song,” reads their press release. “It threads together shots of Big Boss Vette in various eye-catching outfits as she raps to the camera. At the same time, it showcases her world and everything behind it. She only keeps making headlines though. Recently, Big Boss Vette scorched the On The Radar “Ladies Cypher” alongside Kali, Erica Banks, Mellow Buckzz, K Carbon, Enchanting, and Skylar Blatt. She also ignited iCandy’s “Keep Dat Part 2” [feat. GloRilla x Kali x Big Boss Vette with yet another fiery cameo.”Check it out below.Big Boss Vette has Needs: Big Boss Vette’s “Ion Need” is out now.     &...

San Bruno Police: 5 teens arrested on suspicion of robbery, resisting arrest after hour-long, 50-mile pursuit

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:02 GMT

SAN BRUNO — Five teens were arrested Sunday night following an hour long, 50-mile pursuit across the Peninsula beginning in San Bruno, according to authorities.In a social media post Monday, the San Bruno Police Department detailed the chase, which kicked off around 10:45 p.m. Sunday. Police received reports of an armed robbery on the 600 block of Huntington Ave in San Bruno, and officers located the suspect vehicle, a gray Acura sedan, and attempted a stop. The driver of the vehicle didn’t pull over to the side of the road and instead fled the scene, with officers in pursuit.The pursuit continued for about 50 more miles over an hour-long period, police said. The suspects eventually drove into a dead-end at the 300 block of Lang Rd in Burlingame. A passenger attempted to flee on foot but was quickly detained.Five teenagers were arrested on suspicion of robbery, evading, criminal conspiracy and resisting arrest, police said. Their ages ranged from 16 to 19-years-old. Two of the...

Big-rig crash backs up traffic more than a mile on Interstate 80 in Richmond

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:02 GMT

RICHMOND — A freeway crash between two big rigs early Tuesday backed up traffic for more than a mile during the the morning commute and left sugar spilled on the roadway, the California Highway Patrol said.All but one lane of westbound Interstate 80 remained closed through 6:30 a.m. following the crash near the Portrero Avenue on-ramp, the CHP said. The wreck happened about 1:30 a.m. when one big rig collided into the back of another one, according to the CHP.The crash did cause one injury, the CHP said. The agency did not specify immediately how severe that injury was.The CHP opened the far left lane to traffic about 3:05 a.m. but said at 4:45 a.m. that they expected the closure of the other lanes to last several hours.The collision left one of the big rigs stuck to the other one, the CHP said, and caused sugar to spill onto the freeway. Big-rig tow trucks were expected to move the trucks from the area, but the operation was expected to be complicated and could end up spillin...

Judge sets initial date for Trump federal trial in August, though timing could change

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:02 GMT

District Judge Aileen Cannon has set an initial date for the criminal trial of Donald Trump in regard to allegedly mishandled classified documents to begin in mid-August, but the date very well could change.In a written order, Cannon notes the parties could ask to push back the trial date because of the complexities of the case and issues related to classified information, both of which might draw out the timeline to trial.The initial trial date puts the case on a speedy track, with arguments for the parameters of the jury trial being made by the end of July.Cannon also says proceedings in the case will take place in Fort Pierce, Florida. According to Tuesday’s order, “modifications” could be made “as necessary as this matter proceeds.”In the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, where Trump and co-defendant Walt Nauta are charged, a trial date is set by the federal district judge as a placeholder initially.That date can change drastically, because once it is order...

Taste-Off: The best smoky barbecue sauces at supermarkets (and the gloopiest)

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:02 GMT

Whether it’s slathered on ribs, brushed on a pizza, dumped into a pot of beans or tossed with chicken for a slider, a thick pour of smoky, sweet and spicy barbecue sauce adds a blast of flavor that can turn just about any meal from ordinary to memorable.It’s not hard to make a decent BBQ sauce, as most are made with the same basic ingredients: tomato, vinegar, sugar, spice and smoke. But exactly how much of each ingredient is key to hitting that crave-worthy note of yumminess.Market shelves are packed with options, including flavor variations such as garlic, mustard and chipotle, plus a handful of regional sauces that lean into vinegar or smoke. For this Taste-Off, we checked out some of the most promising bottles and jars of smoke-flavored sauces. (Note that the sheer number of sauce options made it impossible to try them all.)Tasting through the sauces was a true flavor adventure, as every sauce is distinctive. Some are distinctly boring, of course, but others incorporate an unlik...

Ruth Bancroft’s beautiful cactus garden gets surreal sculptures in Walnut Creek

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:02 GMT

Cacti are weird enough – bulbous, spiny and sprouting flowers and fruits where you’d least expect them.Take a historic cactus-and-succulents garden and add artwork — like a pregnant woman’s torso made of blue leaves, a motorcycle/spider hybrid and a hairy satyr taking a dirt bath — and you have the perfect mix of nature and surrealism in Walnut Creek where an outdoor exhibit, Sculpture in the Garden, has taken root in a famous botanic garden.The 2023 iteration of this event (now in its 29th year) at the Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery features 25 local artists and nearly 50 sculptures in media from ceramic to metal to mosaics. Opening night this past Saturday drew throngs who admired art strategically placed among serrated fronds and stalks that reached high into the sky like giant, flower-dripping beanstalks. There were plenty of picnic tables for sipping wine – aside from daily visiting hours, two other wine and art-appreciation events are happening on Jul...

Blanket of ash upends decades of goodwill in the refinery town of Martinez

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:02 GMT

Martinez has long been a refinery town. Generations have worked at the sprawling complex on the east side of the city that defines the skyline.For more than a century, to live in Martinez, a town of 36,000 sitting beside the bay, has been to co-exist with the silver smoke stacks of heavy industry. The risks go along with the fun runs the oil refinery hosts and its sponsorship of the Chamber of Commerce.But after the refinery dumped 20 tons of heavy-metal laden dust on surrounding neighborhoods in November, covering lawns and gardens with a fine white silt, some residents think that relationship has shifted. Perhaps for good.“I think it’s fair to say that there is a new relationship, and we’re basically having to reestablish that relationship,” said Brianne Zorn, who was sworn in as mayor in December. “We need to make sure they’re not just paying for our events but that they’re a partner in making sure Martinez is a healthy and safe place to live.”The shift in public perception...