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Southern California business owner, girlfriend found dead at Mexican resort

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

A Newport Beach business owner and his girlfriend were found dead in a hotel room in Baja California on Tuesday under circumstances that remain under investigation.The bodies of Abby Lutz, 28, and John Heathco, 41, were discovered inside a room at Hotel Rancho Pescadero on June 13. (Facebook/LinkedIn)The bodies of John Heathco, 41, and Abby Lutz, 28, were discovered inside a room at the upscale Hotel Rancho Pescadero in El Pescadero around 9 p.m. Tuesday the Baja California Sur Attorney General’s Office confirmed to ABC News.El Pescadero is located on the Pacific coast of the Baja Peninsula roughly one hour north of Cabo San Lucas.Their cause of death was listed as "intoxication by substance to be determined," the AG’s office said.In a GoFundMe post, a friend of Lutz says the couple may have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning.“Abby and her boyfriend thought they had food poisoning and went to the hospital to get treatment. We were told they were feeling much better a few days later,...

Microsoft Theater, Xbox Plaza at L.A. Live to bear Peacock name

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

The Microsoft Theater and surrounding area of L.A. Live is getting a new name, AEG officials announced Thursday.Starting July 11, the 4 million-square-foot entertainment district will bear the Peacock name as part of a multi-year naming rights agreement between AEG and NBC Universal’s streaming service.“The 7,100-seat concert and special events venue formerly known as Microsoft Theater will be named Peacock Theater and the entertainment district’s 40,000 square foot open-air plaza, formerly known as XBOX Plaza, will be known as Peacock Place,” AEG officials detailed in a news release. “The agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, strategically aligns the brands, and establishes Peacock as the exclusive streaming partner of L.A. LIVE.”Under the agreement, Peacock, NBC Universal's streaming service will have a brand presence across L.A. Live, including a new LED marquee with two state-of-the-art video boards and a banded content studio.“Like Peacock, L.A. LIVE is at the ep...

Here's the richest person in California, according to Forbes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

Can you name the richest person in your state? Unless you have a billion dollars in your bank account, we can promise it isn’t you. As of 2023, nearly every state has a billionaire resident, according to Forbes, which released its list of the wealthiest people in the U.S. for the first time since 2019 on Thursday.Only three states are without a billionaire, as of June 2023: Alaska, Delaware and West Virginia. This wasn’t always the case for the latter, the outlet explains, pointing to Gov. Jim Justice, who lost his status as the result of heavy debts two years ago.Lacking a billionaire isn’t a problem for other states, especially California, Florida, New York and Texas. According to Forbes, there are 179 billionaires in California, 130 in New York, 92 in Florida and 73 in Texas.  These are the wealthiest people in your state, according to Forbes Texas earns an extra jewel in its crown, considering the richest person in the U.S. and the world -- Elon Musk -- now calls the Lone...

Beyonce's Stockholm concerts blamed for Sweden's inflation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

The kick-off of Beyonce's Renaissance World Tour is believed to have caused an inflation hike in Sweden.Queen Bey's tour started in Stockholm last month with two shows. Beyoncé brings the heat to Sweden on first Renaissance Tour stop The concerts attracted fans from all over the world and apparently made a mark on the country's economy with an increased demand for hotels and restaurants."Sweden reported higher-than-expected inflation of 9.7% in May," according to the BBC.Michael Grahn, an economist at Danske Bank, believes the "Alien Superstar" singer's shows contributed to about 0.2% points to inflation last month. Beyonce teases new project: ‘I can’t wait for you to experience what I’ve been creating’ "Beyonce's start of her world tour in Sweden seems to have coloured May inflation, how much is uncertain, but probably 0.2 p.p. of the 0.3 p.p that hotels/restaurants added. Perhaps also hiked concert ticket prices (recreation). Otherwise as expected," he tweeted.Grahn does expe...

Paulina Vargas-Ochoa Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash on 27th Avenue [Phoenix, AZ]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

16-Year-Old Female Dead after Pedestrian Accident near Indian School RoadPHOENIX, AZ (June 15, 2023) – Late Friday night, police were called to a hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of Paulina Vargas-Ochoa.The incident happened on June 9th, at around 11:00 p.m.,near 27th Avenue and Indian School Road.According to the Phoenix police, they arrived to the site of the collision and found Vargas-Ochoa lying on the highway. She was seriously injured.Following the collision, the suspect did not stop to render aid to the victim. They instead fled the scene.Responding paramedics and authorities transported her to the hospital. She later succumbed to her injuries. Medical personnel at the hospital pronounced 16-year-old Paulina Vargas-Ochoa dead, due to the extent of her condition.Upon investigation, the officers believed that Vargas-Ochoa was crossing mid-block on 27th Avenue when she was struck by the vehicle. She was found across the street form Bostrom High School, where she was...

Guillermo Sanchez Pacheco Arrested Following Deadly DUI Crash on State Route 76 [Oceanside, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

Person Killed in DUI Solo-Vehicle Crash Near Airport RoadOCEANSIDE, CA (June 15, 2023) – Early Sunday morning, a deadly single-vehicle crash involving a DUI driver led to the arrest of Guillermo Sanchez Pacheco.The fatal incident happened around 1:54 a.m. along the westbound SR-76 and Airport Road.According to the report, a driver of an eastbound 2033 Nissan Maxima traveling lost control while traveling east on the highway. As a result, the Nissan crashed into a large tree on the freeway’s south shoulder.Unfortunately, responding officers and paramedics declared the rear passenger of the vehicle deceased at the scene. The victim was only identified to be a man in his 30s.Meanwhile, the driver and his front-seat passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries.Investigators later determined that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the incident. Police eventually arrested 29-year-old Guillermo Sanchez Pacheco of Oceanside for suspected DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter...

Kennet Upp Killed in Rollover Crash on Interstate 80 [Washoe County, NV]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

Reno Man Fatally Injured Following Single-Car Collision near Mile Marker 25WASHOE COUNTY, NV (June 15, 2023) – Monday afternoon, a rollover crash on Interstate 80 claimed the life of Kennet Upp.The accident occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on May 22nd, along Interstate 80 near Mile Marker 25.According to reports, the driver of a white 2000 Ford F-150 swerved into the right dirt area and collided with a paddle marker.The Ford then re-entered the traffic lanes, overturned, and collided with the guardrail. It then came to a stop on its wheels in the eastbound travel lane.As a result of the crash, the Ford driver was ejected from the vehicle. Emergency crews at the scene rushed him to a nearby hospital where died from his injuries. Police identified the driver as 30-year-old Kennet Upp of Reno.At this time, authorities are currently conducting an active investigation into the crash and will release more information once available.The team at Sweet James sends their warm and sincerest s...

Samuel Gonzalez Arrested Following Fatal DUI Crash on East Tropicana Avenue [Las Vegas, NV]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

Two-Vehicle Accident near South Palm Street Left One Motorcyclist DeadLAS VEGAS, NV (June 15, 2023) – Late Thursday night, a 20-year-old rider died and police arrested Samuel Gonzalez in a DUI motorcycle collision on East Tropicana Avenue.The accident happened around 11:35 p.m. on June 1st along E. Tropicana Avenue near South Palm Street.As per Nevada State Patrol, a 1996 Chevrolet Silverado was driving west on E. Tropicana Avenue when it turned left onto South Palm Street and collided with a 2023 Kawasaki motorcycle.First responders rushed the motorcyclist to Sunrise Hospital’s Trauma Unit for treatment for life-threatening injuries.Tragically, the rider, who was only identified as a 20-year-old man, died at the hospital from his injuries.Meanwhile, the Silverado’s 31-year-old driver, identified as Samuel Gonzalez, showed signs of impairment and was booked at the Clark County Detention Center on DUI charges.No further information is available at this time, however, an a...

Carlos Smith Killed in Hit-and-Run on 98th Avenue [Oakland, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

50-Year-Old Man Killed in Bicycle Accident near D StreetOAKLAND, CA (June 15, 2023) – Wednesday evening, Carlos Smith was killed by a hit-and-run driver on 98th Avenue.The fatal collision occurred around 9:19 p.m. at the intersection of 98th and D Street in the city of Oakland.According to the victim’s relatives, the bicyclist was going to a store to buy some pet food when the crash happened.Police said the driver did not render aid to the victim and fled the scene before the authorities arrived.Unfortunately, 50-year-old Carlos Smith succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.Authorities can only determine that the suspect was driving a white vehicle with an unknown make or model.At this time, the city of Oakland is offering a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who can provide details leading to the suspect’s arrest. Those with additional information about the 98th Avenue hit-and-run can contact the local police at 510-777-8570 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.No words can men...

‘Everybody assumes that it’s like the rest of California and it’s not’: Rural LGBTQ students and administrators describe campus strife.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

BY ADAM ECHELMAN | CalMattersIn rural Siskiyou County, where California meets Oregon, the local community college is hiding its LGBTQ+ center behind closed doors. Queer students are scared for their safety.“We are a very conservative county, and we have many students that are out at school but not at home,” said Ty Speck, who goes by “Mama Ty” among students and serves as the advisor to the LGBTQ+ club at the College of the Siskiyous. Instead, she said, the three students in the group wanted to meet in a rotating set of undisclosed locations.All across California, but especially in rural areas and small cities scattered across the Central Coast, the Central Valley, and the Far North, community college leaders push back at the notion that California is an easy place to be queer.In a report from last year obtained by CalMatters, college administrators across the state expressed their support for LGBTQ+ students but said that setbacks persist.The report came as a follow up to a 2021 st...