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Good Samaritan spots ‘Help me!’ note in California parking lot, triggers rescue of kidnapped 13-year-old girl

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

A 13-year-old girl who was kidnapped in Texas and repeatedly sexually assaulted was rescued in Long Beach earlier this month after a Good Samaritan came to her aid, authorities said.On July 6, the young victim was walking down the street near a bus stop in San Antonio, Texas, when a man in a sedan approached her at gunpoint and ordered her to get into the vehicle. The suspect threatened the girl, saying, “If you don’t get in the car with me, I am going to hurt you,” according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.Once in the vehicle, the girl told the suspect, identified as Steven Robert Sablan of Cleburne, Texas, that she had a friend in Australia. He told the victim he could take her to a cruise ship to visit her friend, but she “had to do something for him first,” according to court documents.He drove her for two days from Texas to California, with Sablan, 61, suspected of sexually assaulting her at least three times during the commute.Three days after the kidnapping,...

California man convicted of killing elderly neighbor during rape attempt

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

A 36-year-old man was convicted Thursday of beating an elderly woman to death during an attempted rape in an early-morning attack that took place in the Garden Grove neighborhood where they both lived.An Orange County Superior Court jury on Thursday afternoon found Michael Aon Varela guilty of first-degree murder for the killing of 68-year-old Dzung Thi Nguyen on Sept. 9, 2017. The jurors also determined that the slaying occurred during an attempted rape, court records show.A drunken Varela committed the “brutal, horrific, senseless murder” after returning home from a night out drinking, Deputy District Attorney Casey Cunningham told jurors during his trial. The prosecutor alleged that Varela “brutalized” Nguyen, ripping her clothes off and beating her unconscious when she “didn’t submit.” Nguyen died several days after the attack.Varela’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Arlene Speiser, countered that Varela was an innocent bystander who discovered an unresponsive Nguyen and tried ...

Comic-Con 2023: Fans say loss of Hollywood stars means more time for other attractions

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

By Natallie Rocha and Phillip Molnar | San Diego Union-TribuneHollywood might have needed Comic-Con more than Comic-Con needed Hollywood.Most San Diego Comic-Con International fans said Thursday July 20, the convention’s first official day, that they were fine with almost all major studios, from Marvel to HBO, staying away this year. A writers’ and actors’ strike has ground Tinseltown to a halt, preventing creators and actors from showing up at San Diego’s big show.It might have sounded like Comic-Con would be a drag this year, but the show stayed sold out and tickets were still going for more than $1,000 on secondary markets a day before it started.RELATED: Netflix’s Los Gatos headquarters swarmed with protesters amid film and TV strikesAnthony Kalvans, 30, of San Luis Obispo, said he couldn’t care less about Hollywood not being there. On Thursday morning, he was with his girlfriend at an installation promoting several FX shows near San Diego Bay.“We’re here for the entire experien...

15 tips to stay cool: How to beat the triple-digit heat forecast

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

The heat is here. And, for many residents in California, trying to get through the day of triple-digit temperatures is the name of the game.Here is a list of 15 tips for staying cool in hot weather, compiled from our news stories over the years:Read up on heat exhaustion and heatstroke.Drink plenty of water (in the fitness word they call this “hydrating”), even if you’re not thirsty.Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses. Your eyes need protection, too.Seek shade whenever you can. Many cities offer cooling centers to beat the heat.Check in on friends and family, especially senior citizens.Maybe not travel to visit Death Valley, where it can get over 100 degrees in the middle of the night.Eat cold foods for breakfast, like melon, yogurt or cottage cheese.Avoid high-protein foods, which require a cranked-up metabolism to burn. Eat shorter meals more frequently.Draw the blinds early in the day, say 9 a.m.; it’ll keep the house cooler.Check your medication an...

California schools chief Tony Thurmond booted from Chino Valley school board meeting

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

State Superintendent of School Tony Thurmond is escorted out of the Chino Valley school board meeting Thursday, July 20, 2023, by security officers. Board President Sonja Shaw said he went over the one-minute time limit for speakers. (Photo by Jordan B. Darling, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Chino Valley Unified teachers must tell parents if their child identifies as transgender under a fiercely debated policy approved by the school board late Thursday, July 20.The 4-1 vote in favor of the notification rule came at the end of a contentious, four-hour meeting that at one point saw the ejection of state Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond, who was led away by security officers to shouts of “kick him out.”Thurmond was there to address the Chino Valley Unified School District board before its vote on the parental notification policy, an issue that drew more than 300 people to Don Lugo High School. Parents and community members brought flags, T-shirts, and signs to wave dur...

A custom-built Piedmont Pines modern masterpiece

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

Live on a coveted street mere blocks from Montclair Village.Embrace the charm of Montclair Village and enjoy the home’s easy access to trails. Quality exudes throughout this more than 3,600-square-foot open-concept contemporary. A formal living room wrapped in windows, dramatic vaulted ceilings and sweeping decks overlooking a majestic oak tree canopy are a few of the features that make this home special.On the main level, a gorgeous chef’s kitchen with center island, breakfast nook and generous great room flow seamlessly into the living and dining rooms.A fourth bedroom with a separate entry adjacent to a full bathroom completes the main level. The lower level boasts three bedrooms including a luxurious primary suite with spa-style bathroom plus a dual door walk-in closet and dressing room.There is a private home office on the street level across from the garage with interior access.This is truly a home to be envied.Location: 2707 Camino Lenada Street, OaklandListing age...

With 3-0 win in wintry Wellington, Spain sets the standard at Women’s World Cup

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — When Alexis Putellas finally made her entry into Spain’s opener at the Women’s World Cup against Costa Rica on Friday, the match was already won.The two-time Ballon d’Or winner waited 77 minutes to leave the bench, to enter the tournament and to provide an early answer to questions about her fitness after her long recuperation from injury.Putellas damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee just before Spain’s European Championship campaign last year, returned for the first time in April and has been played sparingly since, mostly from the bench.Her appearance in the 3-0 win at Wellington on a night of stinging rain and cold was an affirmation of her fitness, the promise of better things to come as the tournament proceeds and the last component of a triumphant night for Spain.“Every single moment for her really counts. She’s a really good quality player,” Spain coach Jorge Vilda said. “We’re going to do our best to help he...

American Express profit rises, but it sets aside more money for possible defaults

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

American Express saw its profit and revenue climb in the second quarter and credit card use is climbing, but the company’s stock slipped before the market open as it set aside more money for possible defaults on payments. American Express earned $2.17 billion, or $2.89 per share, topping Wall Street expectations for $2.80, according to analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research. A year earlier the company earned $1.96 billion, or $2.57 per share.Total provisions for credit losses were $1.2 billion. In the prior-year period it was $410 million, theNew York company said, citing higher net write-offs and a net reserve build of $327 million, compared with a net reserve build of $58 million a year ago.Shares fell nearly 4% before the market opened Friday.Revenue, net of interest expense, climbed to $15.05 billion from $13.4 billion, mostly due to higher average loan volumes and increased card member spending. That was short of Wall Street projections for $15.42 billion. Card me...

World Acceptance: Fiscal Q1 Earnings Snapshot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — World Acceptance Corp. (WRLD) on Friday reported earnings of $9.5 million in its fiscal first quarter.The Greenville, South Carolina-based company said it had net income of $1.62 per share.The subprime consumer lender posted revenue of $139.3 million in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on WRLD at https://www.zacks.com/ap/WRLDSource

Huntington Bancshares: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Huntington Bancshares Inc. (HBAN) on Friday reported second-quarter profit of $559 million.The Columbus, Ohio-based bank said it had earnings of 35 cents per share.The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of nine analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 34 cents per share.The regional bank holding company posted revenue of $2.72 billion in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $1.85 billion, also topping Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.84 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on HBAN at https://www.zacks.com/ap/HBANSource