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Rep. George Santos reaches a deal in Brazilian fraud case

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:08 GMT

By Julia Vargas Jones | CNNProsecutors in Brazil have agreed to a deal with Rep. George Santos in a case in which he is accused of defrauding a Rio de Janeiro area clerk of $1,300 over clothes and shoes in 2008, documents obtained by CNN show.A petition from Santos’ attorney requesting a deal says Santos would agree to formally confess to the crime and pay damages to the victim, a Rio de Janeiro area clerk, as is required under Brazilian law.A memo from prosecutors agreeing to the deal last week asked the defense for assurances they have the ability to contact the victim to repay him before the deal is finalized.The petition from Santos’ attorney, filed in January, requests a non-prosecutorial agreement in lieu of a trial for his client, arguing that Santos is now gainfully employed and “re-socialized.” The petition also requested permission for Santos to be contacted by the court via email or phone, and participate in the proceedings via videoconference.Agre...

Darcelle XV, the world’s oldest working drag queen, dies at 92

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:08 GMT

Associated PressPORTLAND, Ore. — Walter C. Cole, better known as the iconic drag queen who performed for decades as Darcelle XV, has died of natural causes in Portland, Oregon. Cole was 92.Darcelle, who died Thursday, was crowned the world’s oldest working drag performer in 2016 by the Guinness Book of World Records and was regaling audiences until the very end.As a performer, Darcelle was known for hosting the longest-running drag show on the U.S. West Coast. Off stage, Cole championed LGBTQ+ rights and charitable work in the Portland community.The nightclub that Darcelle opened more than 50 years ago in downtown Portland, Darcelle XV Showplace, said it was heartbroken in a Facebook post. “We ask for privacy and patience as everyone processes and grieves in their own way and at their own pace,” the club said.They also said that details of a public memorial will be announced and all shows at the Showplace will go on as scheduled, per Darcelle’s wishes.“...

Another ‘bad driving’ YouTuber is accused of intentional crashes in fraud scheme

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:08 GMT

For the second time this week, California’s insurance watchdogs announced the arrest of a driver who allegedly orchestrated traffic accidents and then collected payments for the damage.In both cases, the suspects maintained YouTube channels of “bad driver” videos.Arrested Wednesday was a 40-year-old man from Yucaipa, in San Bernardino County. He was charged with six felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, 11 felony counts of insurance fraud and five felony counts of child endangerment, the California Department of Insurance said in a press release Thursday.His wife, also 40, was charged with one felony count of insurance fraud and two counts of felony child endangerment.A child was reportedly a passenger during several incidents in which a vehicle was apparently intentionally crashed.The man came to the insurance department’s attention last month when the San Bernardino County sheriff’s department told the agency about a suspicious collision in w...

Berkeley man charged with getting drunk on church altar wine, dressing himself in clerical robes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:08 GMT

BERKELEY — A Berkeley resident has been arrested and charged with a felony for allegedly walking into a local episcopal church, drinking the altar wine and helping himself to some clerical robes on his way out the door.The suspect, a 34-year-old unsheltered man who was living in Berkeley, was linked to the crime based on eyewitness accounts and a DNA test on the the unfinished bottle of altar wine conducted by police. He was charged with one count of second-degree burglary and is being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of $5,000 bail.The man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of burglary, a probation violation on a prior burglary conviction and possession of a controlled substance. He is scheduled to go to court for an arraignment hearing on Monday.Authorities allege that last Nov. 6, an employee at the St. Clement’s Episcopal Church on Claremont Avenue in Berkeley noticed the man leaving the church, dressed in a red cassock and white cotta. The man claimed he...

Spain’s fire season kicks off early, forcing 1,500 to flee

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:08 GMT

By Jennifer O’Mahony | Associated PressMADRID — More than 1,500 people were evacuated as a major forest fire raged in Spain’s eastern Castellon province on Friday, marking an early start to the nation’s fire season amid bone dry conditions.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez promised full support to those who had fled their homes.“We’re looking at the first major fire, unfortunately, this year,” he said. “And it is also taking place out of season.”Local officials said the fire had engulfed around 3,000 hectares of land since it broke out on Thursday, forcing residents into shelters operated by the Red Cross and other charities. Its cause was not immediately clear.Ximo Puig, the president of the Valencia region that incorporates Castellon, told reporters the fire was “very early in the spring, very voracious from the beginning.”Puig added that the effects of climate change “are undeniable, so the perspective of firefi...

Amid rising antisemitism, Jewish communities bolster security

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:08 GMT

By Phoenix Berman | KYW via CNNPHILADELPHIA (KYW) — Nearly 60% of religiously motivated hate crimes in the U.S. are directed towards the Jewish population, according to FBI data. Local organizations are working to make the Jewish community safer amidst a surge in antisemitic incidents.This week, the Jewish Federation Of Southern New Jersey (JFSNJ) announced the creation of its new security entity, JFED Security, LLC. The program will serve Camden, Burlington and Gloucester counties, as well as eight additional counties in New Jersey and the entire state of Delaware. Its resources will include guards from a security force, threat and vulnerability risk assessments and emergency operations planning.“The Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey feels an enormous responsibility to our system of agencies, Jewish institutions and the region as a whole to expand this community security initiative,” said Jennifer Dubrow Weiss, JFSNJ Chief Executive Officer in a statement.T...

5 suspects at large in connection to theft, fraud: Vacaville police

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:08 GMT

VACAVILLE, Calif. (KRON) -- Police are searching for five suspects in connection to fraud and theft, the Vacaville Police Department (VPD) announced Friday in a Facebook post. The five unidentified suspects are pictured below. Hayward Home Depot employee arrested for allegedly stealing $50K of goods The person wearing a facial covering and beanie and the person with a hood on are linked to transactions made with a stolen credit card, according to VPD. Police said the victim's purse was stolen from her cart while she was shopping nearby.The two women pictured in the same photo are associated with a theft and an attempted fraudulent return of merchandise from a local business. The man wearing a Los Angeles Clippers jersey is linked to a theft of $1,000 worth of merchandise from a local store.(Vacaville Police Department)(Vacaville Police Department)(Vacaville Police Department)(Vacaville Police Department)KRON On is streaming news live now.embed-container { position: relative; padd...

Did you know you can snowboard in Hawaii?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:08 GMT

HONOLULU (KHON2) – From surfing to snowboarding, Hawaii has it all. Mauna Kea on the Big Island experienced a lot of storms this winter season, covering the summit with a blanket of snow. One resident took his snowboard for a ride and told our sister station KHON about this fun memory.The National Weather Service told KHON that there have been 13 initial issuances of a new Winter Storm Warning or Winter Weather Advisory for Mauna Kea/Mauna Loa. That is 13 separate events since November 1.With this much snow, many have taken advantage and enjoyed the slope of Mauna Kea summit by making snow creations, skiing, sledding and snowboarding. For one Big Island resident, his Mauna Kea snowboarding started seven years ago. Camaaron Castillo said this year has been way more consistent with snow on Mauna Kea compared to last year and it's “some of the best snow I’ve boarded on.” He describes the snow as a little icy but the sun makes it softer.Castillo has gone snowboarding in many places in C...

California man accused of smuggling endangered Pakistani sheep trophy into the U.S.

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:08 GMT

(KTXL) -- A Galt man is facing a possible 20-year sentence for working with a Pakistani individual to smuggle into the United States a Ladakh urial, an endangered sheep, according to the Department of Justice. Jason Keith Bruce, 49, of Galt and Pir Danish Ali, 43, of Pakistan, face charges of conspiracy to violate the Endangered Species Act, to make false statements and to smuggle goods into the United States, the DOJ said in a news release Friday after Bruce's arrest. Bruce is also charged with smuggling and violating the Endangered Species Act. Bay Area storm cleanup: Roads closed for cleanup ahead of next storm According to the DOJ, Bruce, a big game hunter, met Ali, the CEO of a hunting outfitter and guide company based in Pakistan. In February 2016, the two men allegedly began to draw up plans to hunt a Ladakh urial, an endangered wild sheep, in Pakistan, and bring back to the United States the resulting "trophy," the whole animal or part of the animal that is prepared for d...

SFPD searches for an at-risk man missing for 4 days

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:08 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The San Francisco Police Department is searching for a missing 77-year-old man who is considered at risk due to his age, according to SFPD officials. He was last seen at his home on the 2100 block of 22nd Avenue on Monday around 9:30 p.m., officials said.Boon Kwa is described as an Asian man, about five feet, three inches, 120 pounds and bald with brown eyes. ‘My heart is crushed’: JV’s wife releases heartbreaking statement Anyone who locates Mr. Kwa should call 911 and report his current location and physicaldescription. Anyone with information on his possible whereabouts should call the SFPD Tip Lineat 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You mayremain anonymous.