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Taco Bell fined for violating California gift card laws

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:00:11 GMT

Fast food chain Taco Bell was ordered to pay thousands for allegedly denying customers the right to cash out gift cards valued at less than $10.The complaint was filed on behalf of the district attorney’s offices in Ventura, Los Angeles, and Sonoma counties.The ruling ordered Taco Bell Corporation and its subsidiary, GCTB LLC, to pay $85,500 for violating California’s gift card law, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.According to Civil Code 1749.5, the owner of a gift card with a balance of less than $10 can obtain a refund from the merchant if they do not wish to spend the remaining balance.The settlement terms state that Taco Bell will pay $45,000 in civil penalties, $30,500 in investigative costs, and $10,000 to the California Consumer Protection Prosecution Trust Fund.“Gift card redemption laws ensure that large corporations do not profit, at the expense of the consumer, off unspent dollars that consumers cannot or do not wish to use at that retailer,” sa...

Antioch interim city manager will take a new job

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:00:11 GMT

ANTIOCH – Acting City Manager Forrest Ebbs announced in an email to the City Council on Wednesday that he has accepted a position as Modesto’s deputy city manager.With a population of 219,000, Modesto is the largest city in Stanislaus County and the 19th largest city in California, nearly double the size of Antioch.Ebbs worked for the city of Antioch for more than eight years as community development director, and most recently was acting city manager, a title he held since March 17. With 23 years of experience in planning, community development and public administration, he was tapped to fill in after City Manager Cornelius Johnson was placed on leave that same day.While in Antioch, Ebbs has overseen Building and Code Enforcement Divisions and manages the city residential property portfolio, among other executive assignments.The interim city manager confirmed that his official last day will by July 14. But because of previously scheduled vacations, his last day at work will be June...

‘I’m having a panic attack’: Ex-Antioch officer charged with assaulting handcuffed man during traffic stop

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:00:11 GMT

ANTIOCH — In the latest scandal to engulf the city’s beleaguered police department, a former Antioch officer has been charged with assaulting a handcuffed man during a July 2022 traffic stop, court records show.Matthew Nutt, who was fired from the Antioch Police Department over the same incident, was charged Tuesday with a single misdemeanor count of an officer unnecessarily assaulting a person. Video released Wednesday shows Nutt kick and punch the man multiple times while he was handcuffed. Nutt has not yet entered a plea but is scheduled to do so on July 18.The charge stems from a July 1, 2022 traffic stop in which Nutt and a second officer knocked the man to the ground then pulled him into the car while attempting to arrest him on an outstanding warrant. The second officer has been identified in police records as Sgt. Joshua Evans, who is under administrative investigation for repeated use of racist slurs and other offensive communications, including one where Evans ...

Nevada Legislature approves deal for Oakland A’s Las Vegas ballpark

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:00:11 GMT

The Oakland A’s cleared an important hurdle Wednesday in their quest to receive $380 million from Nevada taxpayers as the state Legislature approved the deal late Wednesday and sent it to the governor for his signature.The state Assembly’s 25-15 vote and acceptance by the state Senate clear the path for the team to fulfill its vision of a $1.5 billion, 30,000-seat ballpark on the Vegas strip, though Major League Baseball still must approve the A’s move.“I am really excited to make memories with my daughter and see other families make memories with their kids – and where tickets start at $12,” Assemblymember Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod, a Democrat said at Wednesday’s proceedings of a possible A’s stadium.With its latest votes, the deal will finally the desk of Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, who has helped lead the effort to lure the As to Las Vegas.The A’s have all the momentum, not from the team having won seven straight baseball games but from this cu...

Three-alarm fire burning at San Jose storage facility, explosions reported

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:00:11 GMT

(KRON) -- A fire burning at a Public Storage facility in San Jose has been upgraded from two alarms to three alarms, the San Jose Fire Department confirmed on Wednesday evening. The Public Storage is located on Blossom Hill Road at Cottle Road. Video of the fire shows a massive amount of smoke and flame billowing from the structure. Tesla involved in ‘major injury’ vehicle collision in Santa Clara Roads in the area are closed and traffic is delayed. People are being advised not to drive over fire hoses and to obey all directions from fire crews and police officers. There are no injuries and everyone is accounted for, fire officials confirmed.Fire officials also said there have been reports of audible explosions from the facility. In video from the scene, "popping" sounds could be heard emanating from the blaze. Traffic conditions in the area are described as "bad."The San Jose Police Department is also on the scene and advises motorists that Blossom Hill Road is being impacted in ...

Sheriff: Missing teen last seen at Hayward home

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:00:11 GMT

(KRON) -- Authorities are asking for the public's help in finding a missing teenage boy, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) announced Wednesday evening on Twitter. Elijah Buttler, 16, was last seen Monday around 1 p.m. at his Hayward home on Standish Avenue. Elijah has black hair with short locks and brown eyes, authorities said. He is approximately 6-foot-3 and 120 pounds.He was last seen wearing a black windbreaker jacket, black shirt and gray Adidas sweatpants with white stripes. Elijah is often at Meek Estate Park on Hampton Road in Hayward, ACSO said. KRON On is streaming news live now.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }ACSO says if you have information about Elijah's location, contact 510-667-7721.

Three people given nine Narcan doses at BART stations after suspected overdoses

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:00:11 GMT

(KRON) -- Narcan was deployed three different times at two Bay Area Rapid Transit stations on Tuesday, and two took place at the San Francisco International Airport Station, according to BART police. Tesla bursts into flames after 'major injury' collision in Santa Clara The life-saving overdose reversal drug has been essential to emergency responders since the opioid epidemic and resulting fentanyl crisis took a firm hold on San Francisco. A transit ambassador administered four doses of Narcan to an unresponsive man at the 19th Street station. KRON On is streaming now.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }An officer deployed three doses of Narcan to an unresponsive man at the San Francisco International Airport station just after 4 p.m. Hours later, another officer admini...

Postal service executes Mission Terrace search warrant in connection to mail thefts, robberies

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:00:11 GMT

(KRON) -- The execution of a search warrant in a San Francisco neighborhood took some community members by surprise on Wednesday morning. Tesla involved in 'major injury' collision in Santa Clara Community members in the Mission Terrace neighborhood woke to several United States Postal Inspector Service officers outside of a house on the 200 block of Tingley Street near Cayuga Avenue around 7:30 a.m. The officers were executing a search warrant in connection to a postal investigation, Jeff Fitch of the USPIS told KRON4. Photos from the scene show more than six USPIS officers. The San Francisco Police Department confirmed to KRON4 that its officers were also at the scene to assist. Movie theater to leave SF mall after Westfield departure Since the investigation is ongoing, USPIS could not confirm which incident the search was connected to. Fitch told KRON4 that there has been a significant uptick of crimes involving mail, particularly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. T...

Big-rig fire on eastbound 580 in Livermore closes lanes, spreads to hillside

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:00:11 GMT

(KRON) -- A big-rig fire on I-580 east of North Flynn Road in Livermore shut down traffic across two lanes and set fire to a nearby hillside, according to Caltrans. Cal Fire says the fire has now spread to 10 acres and is 40% contained. One lane remains closed on eastbound I-580 as of around 7:20 p.m. Wednesday.The truck caught fire in the eastbound lanes. Major delays are expected, the CHP said shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday. A photo of the burning truck shows a large cloud of smoke billowing from the rig's cab. 240 stolen catalytic converters found in Bay Area theft ring bust "Thank you for your patience and driving safely," the CHP said in a tweet.The fire has extended to the adjacent hillside, however, the driver was able to safely exit the vehicle, according to a Traffic CAD alert.There is no word yet on what caused the rig to catch fire. Crews are working to put out the fire on the adjacent hillside.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Canadian wildfire smoke gives Minnesota city the worst air in the US

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:00:11 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — St. Paul had the worst air quality in the United States on Wednesday as smoke from massive Canadian wildfires drifted across Minnesota a week after similar smoke blanketed the northeastern U.S. The smoke was “near the worst” on record for the Twin Cities, the Star-Tribune reported, citing Nick Witcraft, an air-quality meteorologist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.Air quality hit “red” on the U.S. government’s color-coded index, meaning it was unhealthy for everyone. The air was particularly dangerous for children, older people and those with asthma and conditions like diabetes and heart disease.Karen Berg-Moberg decided to go on a bike ride at Como Lake in St. Paul with a friend despite the air. She was ready to cut their trip short if needed but didn’t think the smoke would slow them down. “I can smell it. It’s kind of nasty,” she said. “We debated it, but thought, ‘What the heck?’ ”St. Paul had an air quality index, or AQI, reading of 256...