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Opinion: In Aurora, a worthy proposal gets a sordid launch that should give everyone pause

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:17:49 GMT

It’s now been a year since I moved back to Aurora after 24 years in Denver’s south suburbs, and my wife and I have been enjoying all that this vibrant city has to offer, as well as gaining an appreciation of the challenges Aurora faces. Moving here has also given me a front-row seat for the three-ring circus that is Aurora city politics, with a municipal election approaching that could change how Aurora is governed and which party governs it.Earlier in these pages, I wrote about races taking shape for Aurora mayor and five of 10 city council seats in the Nov. 7 city election. And I noted the head-scratching fact that in a city where voters lean Democratic, the sitting mayor and a majority on the council are Republican-aligned (although the positions officially are non-partisan), most of them elected with just a fraction of the vote.Now there’s another act at the circus: The question of whether Aurora’s next mayor should have more power in running the city. Fo...

Four Hospitalized after Traffic Crash on Niles Street [Bakersfield, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:17:49 GMT

Driver in Custody after Pursuit Ends in Crash Near Fairfax RoadBAKERSFIELD, CA (August 8, 2023) – Friday night, four people suffered injuries following a police chase that ended in a traffic crash on Niles Street.Initially, deputies were attempting to pull over a felony suspect just before 9:30 p.m. at Niles Street and Fairfax Road intersection.After a short while, the vehicle was reported to have collided with another vehicle. However, the total number of vehicles involved remains unclear.According to the witnesses’ account, the hood of the two vehicles received significant damages.Furthermore, one of the witnesses reported that the suspect collided head-on with a vehicle turning east on Niles Street, causing the suspect’s vehicle to catch on fire.In the end, medical responders transported four patients to a hospital with unspecified injuries. Police also managed to put the suspect in custody.The identities of those involved in the crash remain undisclosed to the public...

Maria Aguerralde Killed, Julia Mendoza Injured in DUI Collision on Highway 198 [Kings County, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:17:49 GMT

DUI Driver Arrested Following Two-Vehicle Collision Near 27th AvenueKINGS COUNTY, CA (August 8, 2023) – Sunday morning, Maria Aguerralde died, and Julia Mendoza was hospitalized after a DUI crash on Highway 198.CHP officers responded to the incident around 11:30 a.m. along Highway 198, west of 27th Avenue.Based on the initial investigation, a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling west on Highway 198 at around 70 to 80 mph. The intoxicated driver, 65-year-old Mariano Najar Martinez of Huron, then veered his Silverado to the opposing lanes of the Highway.As a result, the Silverado collided head-on with a Chevrolet S-10 traveling eastbound at about 55 miles per hour.First responders arrived at the site of the collision shortly after. There, officials declared the S-10 driver dead at the scene. She was later identified as  82-year-old Maria Aguerralde, of Huron. Aguerralde’s passenger, 53-year-old Julia Mendoza of Huron, was hospitalized for minor injuriesAuthorities placed Marti...

Three Injured in Rollover Crash on Interstate 5 [Sacramento, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:17:49 GMT

Injuries Reported Following Fiery Collision near Sutterville RoadSACRAMENTO, CA (August 8, 2023) – Saturday evening, a rollover crash on Interstate 5 in Sacramento left at least three people hurt.The Sacramento Fire Department responded to the incident around 7:30 p.m. along I-5, north of Sutterville Road.As of now, the exact reason that led up to the crash remains unclear. However, responding units learned that three people were ejected from the vehicle.The vehicle then rolled over and started to catch on fire. Eventually, paramedics transported the three patients to a hospital with unspecified injuries.In the end, The California Highway Patrol temporarily closed down lanes 3, 4, and 5 as crews cleared the scene.No further details regarding the Interstate 5 rollover crash have been released to the public. Sacramento Officials will disclose additional information once available.One small driving mistake can lead to a car accident. This is why it is important to drive defensive...

Alicia Gonzalez, Nache Phillips Injured in Fatal DUI Crash on 15 Freeway [Wildomar, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:17:49 GMT

23-Year-Old Mission Hills Driver Dead in Traffic Collision near Wildomar TrailWILDOMAR, CA (August 8, 2023) – Saturday morning, a DUI-related collision on 15 Freeway left Alicia Gonzalez and Nache Phillips injured.The fatal crash occurred shortly before 12:45 a.m. along the southbound lanes of the 15 Freeway, north of Wildomar Trail.According to reports, a 23-year-old driver from Mission Hills was traveling in their 2014 Hyundai sedan at a high rate of speed in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5.As a result, the driver failed to stop on time and rear-ended a Nissan Rouge SUV. The impact of the collision disabled the Hyundai in the middle lane.Subsequently, a southbound 2019 Nissan Armada crashed into the Hyundai due to the darkness. Investigators said the second collision ejected all the occupants of the Hyundai, who had undone their seatbelts after the initial collision.Responding emergency personnel declared the 23-year-old Hyundai driver dead at the scene. Their passenger...

James Vincent Stramaglia Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Las Vegas Boulevard [Las Vegas, NV]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:17:49 GMT

26-Year-Old Rider Dead after Collision with Truck near Vegas Motor SpeedwayLAS VEGAS, NV (August 8, 2023) – Thursday morning, a crash on Las Vegas Boulevard claimed the life of James Vincent Stramaglia.The fatal incident happened on August 3rd in the 8800 block of North Las Vegas Boulevard. It occurred just northeast of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.Investigation showed that 26-year-old Stramaglia was headed northbound and in front of him was a commercial roll-off truck, Nevada State Trooper Ashlee Wellman.Furthermore, the commercial truck slowed down in an attempt to make a left turn across the southbound lanes. This is when Stramaglia made an unsafe lane change and collided with the truck.Eventually, Stramaglia was thrown out of his motorcycle and suffered extreme injuries.Unfortunately, Stramaglia succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.Meanwhile, the commercial truck driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with the authorities.Consequently, the offi...

This Christian music star has scored a half-dozen No. 1 hits in just 3 years

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:17:49 GMT

Phil Wickham just keeps turning out hit after hit.Over the last three years alone, the San Diego singer-songwriter has delivered six chart-topping Christian music songs — “Battle Belongs,” “Hymn of Heaven,” “This Is Our God” and “Sunday Is Coming.”The last two mentioned hail from Wickham’s ninth full-length outing, “I Believe,” which hits stores on Aug. 18. The album’s title track is another definite keeper, which seems to have an excellent chance of becoming yet another No. 1 hit for Wickham.The singer will support the new album with a major arena tour that touches down at Toyota Arena in Ontario on Aug. 30 and Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sept. 1. Wickham will likely highlight the “I Believe” album as well as draw from a back catalog that includes such big fan favorites as “Great Things,” “Living Hope” and “This Is Amazing Grace.”Related ArticlesMusic |...

What’s next for the Mountain West after Pac-12 implodes: Expansion, contraction or both?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:17:49 GMT

Gloria Nevarez took charge of the Mountain West on New Year’s Day and spent approximately six months formulating a strategic plan to power the conference into the next era of college sports. She’s scheduled to present the blueprint to her membership later this month.“We went broad and deep,” Nevarez said recently. “We brought someone in to help us through the process. We got input from … over 10,000 survey responses.”Our guess: Her presentation has changed.The collapse of the Pac-12 late last week will have a deep impact on the Mountain West’s future on multiple fronts. The conference could get stronger or weaker but is unlikely to remain static in membership by the turn of the decade.If the remaining schools in the Pac-12 (Stanford, Cal, Washington State and Oregon State) stick together, they could  raid the Mountain West and grab the top football schools.If Stanford and Cal are able to join either the ACC or Big Ten — resolution could come this week — then WSU and OSU are ex...

OTC Narcan maker Emergent BioSolutions cutting hundreds of jobs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:17:49 GMT

Gaithersburg, Maryland-based Emergent BioSolutions, which received FDA approval earlier this year for an over-the-counter version of the opioid overdose drug Narcan, is eliminating 400 jobs — more than 15% of its workforce.The company is also shifting away from its contract development and manufacturing to focus on core products, including Narcan, which is currently the only FDA-approved nasal spray over-the-counter version of naloxone.The job cuts are at Emergent’s Bayview facility in Baltimore, at its drug production facility in Rockville, as well as another facility in Canton, Massachusetts.Emergent is also eliminating its chief operating officer position. COO Adam Havey will leave the company at the end of September.The company said the workforce reductions, and a reduction in investment in its contract manufacturing business, will result in annual savings of more than $100 million.For years, Emergent has supplied the federal government’s national stockpile of vaccin...

Chase Young feels ‘explosive again’ nearly 2 years since tearing the ACL in his right knee

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:17:49 GMT

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young arrives for an NFL football practice at the team's training facility, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)(AP/Evan Vucci) Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young arrives for an NFL football practice at the team's training facility, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)(AP/Evan Vucci) ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — When Chase Young stepped on the field for the first practice of Washington Commanders training camp late last month, the brace was off his surgically repaired right knee.Now the heat is on for Young to return to form in a contract year.The 2020 No. 2 overall pick who won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honor i...