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Franks: Crew of the Titanic also used poor judgment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:31 GMT

This April is the 111th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. That tragedy did not just happen by chance.Arrogant people who boasted that the ship was invincible played a major role. The “best engineers” during those times determined that even if the “unsinkable” ship were to start sinking it would take two or three days before the vessel would fully submerge, thus offering plenty of time to rescue everyone on board.Well, it did sink, and it only took two or three hours, not days. More than 1,500 passengers died.The crew of the Titanic was getting repeated warnings of icebergs ahead. But they were either “asleep” at the wheel or distracted by other events. Maybe they were arresting the ship’s bartender for watering down drinks. Regardless of the reason, they confidently forged ahead at a rapid speed.Like those mariners over one hundred years ago, the United States today is refusing to listen to danger warnings, especially from those who have been saying for most of President Jo...

Lowry: DA Bragg is already losing the case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:31 GMT

You don’t know what’s in the indictment.That was the line that progressives repeatedly threw at conservatives dubious about Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case over the last couple of weeks.Well, we’ve seen the unsealed indictment, and we still don’t know the other crime besides falsifying business records that’s being alleged, because Bragg didn’t specify it in a shocking prosecutorial failure and abuse of the process.To review, Donald Trump paid off porn star Stormy Daniels, with whom he had an alleged affair, prior to the 2016 election. Such hush payments may be sleazy, but they aren’t illegal.Still, the reimbursements from the Trump Organization to Trump fixer Michael Cohen, who paid off Daniels, were logged as legal expenses. This was deceptive and potentially a misdemeanor. Dragging a former president through the criminal justice process just to get him on such a minor offense, though, was unappealing even to Bragg.How...

Dear Abby: Man wants out of despicable brother’s will

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:31 GMT

Dear Abby: My older brother is toxic. I want to cut ties with him because he has always criticized, antagonized, marginalized and dismissed me. He has no filters and also criticizes and ridicules my grown children. I’ve had enough.If I were ghosted, I’d want to know why and not be blindsided. But it’s pointless to engage or explain to him. He’s a lifelong bachelor with no children or significant other, so he has me in his will if he goes first. I would be physically ill to inherit his estate — home, car, funds and personal effects. I want nothing from him. Should I notify his attorney and copy my brother that I wish to be removed from his will? — Other Brother in WashingtonDear Other Brother: It would be even more effective if you include in your letter the reasons for your decision.Dear Abby: I have been divorced from “Mildred” for 10 years. I have been with my girlfriend, “Eleanor,” for five years, and we are serious. (Sh...

Motorcyclist dies in East County crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:31 GMT

EL CAJON, Calif. -- A motorcyclist was killed in a crash last weekend in the El Cajon area, law enforcement said.The incident occurred Sunday around 8:23 p.m. near 1601 Pepper Drive, California Highway Patrol Officer Jared Grieshaber said in a release.Authorities say a 64-year-old man driving a 2015 Ford F-150 northbound on Pepper Drive and a 47-year-old man riding eastbound on a 2011 Ducati 848 collided into each other, ejecting the rider onto the street. CHP pursuit ends in K-9 takedown The motorcyclist died from his injuries while the driver of the Ford was not injured, Grieshaber confirmed. It is unknown if driving under the influence was a factor in the crash, according to CHP.The identity of the 47-year-old man is pending until an autopsy is performed by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office, authorities said.

Harrah's Resort SoCal guest hits $1 million jackpot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:31 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A lucky winner is now a millionaire after hitting the Impressive Progressive jackpot at Harrah's Resort Southern California, casino officials announced Friday.Laili M. was awarded $1,022,473, one of the largest jackpot wins in Southern California this year, on a $5 progressive wager playing blackjack, the press release said. "Her first two cards were each a 7 of diamonds," Harrah's Resort SoCal said. "The dealer’s up card was a 7 of diamonds, giving her the 3 7s in diamonds needed for the best Cash Spin wheel on that game. The wheel was spun and landed on 100% of the Ultra meter!" SuperLotto Plus ticket matching 5 numbers sold in North County The casino said it is unknown what Laili plans to do with her earnings.The jackpot win comes after another Harrah's Resort SoCal guest won $1,407,630 playing the table game EZ Baccarart in December 2022, according to officials.

Sight to see: Carlsbad Flower Fields in full bloom

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:31 GMT

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- With all of the wet weather the San Diego area has endured, it's a good time to take in the sights of the Carlsbad Flower Fields.The 50-acre rainbow of ranunculus flowers, now in full bloom, glow up the city's coastline. Guests can walk along the paths to observe and take pictures of the beautiful gardens. The outdoor space, as well as a 200-seat barn, are also available to be used for events like weddings and corporate gatherings. This San Diego beach is considered ‘the most beautiful’ in the US: study Attractions include tractor-driven wagon rides, a 1,500-square foot greenhouse filled with Ecke poinsettias, the sweet pea maze, Santa's playground, an orchid greenhouse and other themed gardens.Tickets are available by reservation while parking is free.The Carlsbad Flower Fields are open through May 14, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

China announces ‘combat readiness patrols’ around Taiwan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:31 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese military announced exercises around Taiwan on Saturday in a new act of retaliation for a meeting between the U.S. House of Representatives speaker and the president of the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory.The People’s Liberation Army said the three-day “combat readiness patrols” were a warning to Taiwanese who want to make the island’s de facto independence permanent. It gave no indication whether they might include a repeat of previous exercises that included firing missiles into the sea, which disrupted shipping and airline flights.Speaker Kevin McCarthy held talks with President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday in California, adding to a series of foreign lawmakers who have met Tsai to show support in the face of Chinese intimidation. Beijing responded Friday by imposing a travel ban and financial sanctions against American groups and individuals associated with Tsai’s U.S. visit.Taiwan split with China after a civil war i...

No threat found after University of Oklahoma shots reported

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:31 GMT

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — A report of shots fired sent dozens of police cars to the University of Oklahoma Friday night and the campus was locked down for nearly two hours before authorities said no threat was found.At about 9:30 p.m., people were told to shelter in place and avoid the South Oval area of the sprawling campus in Norman. The university tweeted: “There is an active shooter at the Van Vleet Oval. Take immediate action now. Run. Hide. Fight!”However, the university later said only that police were investigating “possible shots fired.”Dozens of patrol cars from various agencies, including the Highway Patrol, converged on the campus along with ambulances and an armored vehicle.Officers with flashlights spread out as they searched the area.Shortly before 11 p.m., university police issued an all clear, tweeting: “After a thorough search, no threat was found. There is no threat to campus. Alert has been canceled.”No injuries were reported. Additional information was not immediatel...

Police: 6 people wounded in shooting on South Carolina beach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:31 GMT

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (AP) — Gunfire erupted on a South Carolina beach during a “senior skip day” event involving numerous teenagers Friday, wounding six people, police in South Carolina said. The shooting took place around 5:20 p.m. on Isle of Palms, 94 miles (151 kilometers) south of Myrtle Beach.Hundreds of people including high schoolers taking an unofficial day off were on the beach at the time, and there were several altercations before shots were fired, Isle of Palms Police Chief Kevin Cornett said during a news conference. Six people suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. Some were taken to the hospital by ambulance, and others transported themselves. Five of the victims were teens, and another was in her mid-30s, Cornett said.Several people were detained on weapons charges, but police could not immediately say if the shooter was in custody or if any of the firearms recovered at the scene were used in the shooting, Cornett said.An investigation was ongoing.The Assoc...

Mexican artisans create ‘Judas’ figures for others to burn

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:31 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — After two months of hard work assembling and painting devil-like cardboard figures popularly known as “Judas,” Mexican artisan Marcela Villarreal is eager to watch her creations burn. Villarreal and dozens of fellow crafters created the figures ahead of the annual “Burning of Judas,” a celebration that takes place in Mexico every Holy Saturday, when people across the country gather in public plazas to light fireworks that will destroy these colorful figures made as symbolic embodiments of evil. This festivity — filled with satirical humor — is not associated with the Holy Week celebrations led by the Catholic Church in this mostly Catholic country. The practice is common in several Latin American nations and in some parts of Greece. Originally, the burning figures were effigies of Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, according to the Biblical account of the days leading up to Christ’s crucifixion. Nowadays, though, Mexican artisans shape their Jud...