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Firefighters battling flames and heat at laundromat fire in Ferguson

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:05 GMT

FERGUSON, Mo. - Fire crews from multiple departments rushed to Ferguson overnight to battle an intense fire at a laundromat. Crews not only battling the flames, but also the heat.The first call came in for the fire at 'The Laundry Basket' on South Florissant Road around 3:15 a.m. Randy Skaggs, the Assistant Chief for the Ferguson Fire Department, told FOX 2 that when the first crews got to the scene heavy smoke was coming from the building. Not long after, that flames started shooting through the roof.Skaggs said that firefighters went to an exterior operation to surround and drown the fire with water. Crews from some ten different departments responded with the fire going to a second alarm.The heat was a major issue for crews at the scene. One firefighter was taken away on a stretcher after suffering from some kind of heat related issue. We're told that he was treated at the scene and did not have to be transported. St. Louis police search for man after child sex crime Skaggs sha...

Eureka native, former 'Bachelor' star Clayton Echard to host pickleball-themed reality TV series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:05 GMT

CHANDLER, Ariz. - Clayton Echard, a Eureka native and former star of ABC TV series "The Bachelor," will be the lead host for an upcoming pickleball-themed reality TV series. Echard has signed on to host a reality competition show called "Pickleball Paddle Battle," a production of Pickleball Kingdom Productions. The show is set to debut this fall, and contestants will have the opportunity to win major prizes. Lincoln County mother pleads for answers 32 years after son’s disappearance  "Pickleball is not just having a moment – it's America's fastest-growing sport," said Echard via a news release. "As soon as I learned about the show's format, the competition, and the amazing prizes, I knew this had all the makings of a great reality show. It combines two of America's passions; pickleball and reality shows. I'm thrilled to be the host and can't wait to get started."Pickleball Kingdom Productions says Echard was the top choice to host the show and "promises to showcase the excitemen...

Suspect steals golf cart in north St. Louis County armed robbery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:05 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A man is behind bars after he reportedly robbed a golf cart and held a golf club employee at gunpoint earlier this month in north St. Louis County.Prosecutors have charged Kevin Smith, 51, with one count of first-degree robbery and one count of armed criminal action. According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Smith showed a gun before stealing a golf cart at the Normandie Golf Club on July 23, 2023. St. Louis police search for man after child sex crime When a worker approached him, he showed the gun and took off in the golf cart. Within minutes, police found Smith down the street operating a golf cart. Police also recovered the firearm suspected in the robbery. Smith is jailed in St. Louis County on a $100,000 bond. If convicted, he could spend up to life in prison.

Meati Foods teams up with Whole Foods to launch its plant-based products nationwide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:05 GMT

Meati Foods, a Boulder-based producer of plant-based meat alternatives, is expanding its commercial reach by selling to Whole Foods Markets across the country. The startup announced the new partnership Thursday. The company will sell its plant-based cutlets and steaks in all Whole Foods stores, a total of about 500 locations across 46 states.“This allows us to achieve a national footprint of retail, so we are incredibly excited,” said Scott Tassani, president and chief operating officer of Meati. “Whole Foods is such an important partner that is a leader in doing-better-for-you, healthier options for consumers in this country.“To be able to partner with Whole Foods is a great signal of the impact that we’re going to make,” he added.Meati and Whole Foods have been talking since last year about launching the products nationwide.“Since taking our first bites of Meati in Boulder last year, we’ve been excited to bring their differentiated, quality mush...

SUV plows through Compton bus stop, killing person on bench

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:05 GMT

A person sleeping on a bus stop bench was killed by an out-of-control SUV in Compton early Thursday morning. The solo-vehicle crash was reported around 2:30 a.m. in the 2200 Block of East Rosecrans Avenue near North Harris Avenue. One person was killed when an SUV plowed into a Compton bus stop on July 27, 2023. (KeyNews.TV)The SUV had been traveling eastbound on Rosecrans Avenue when it struck a tree, a bus stop and a fire hydrant before coming to a stop a short distance down the road, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed. One victim, who was apparently sleeping on the bus stop bench, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to officials. Wealthy Californians moving, taking tax revinue No details about the victim's identity, other than that they were believed to be homeless, were released. No other injuries were reported and no arrests had been made, a Sheriff's Department spokesperson said. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

Man fatally shot in Oakland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:05 GMT

OAKLAND — A man was fatally shot Thursday morning in the Eastlake district, authorities said.Authorities were attemping to confirm the man’s identity before releasing it publicly..The shooting happened about 5:11 a.m. Thursday outside at Seventh Avenue and International Boulevard, police said.Police found the man shot and he was pronounced dead at the scene.Police have not determined a motive yet for the killing. No arrests were announced.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Suspect, two Oakland police officers injured after police pursuit ends in crash Crime and Public Safety | How invasive — or effective — will Berkeley’s 52 new license plate readers be? Crime and Public Safety | CHP: Freeway shooting ends in crash on Highway 24 Crime and Public Safety | Dietary supplement company Balance of Nature to pay $1.1 million over misleading advertising Crime and Public Safety | Man beaten, r...

Earthquakes GM explains Akinola trade, Espinoza extension ahead of playoff push

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:05 GMT

The Quakes signed MLS All-Star Cristian Espinoza to a new contract and acquired forward Ayo Akinola from FC Toronto in recent days, but don’t expect any major help coming for their playoff push.General manager Chris Leitch said Wednesday that it would be hard to add another signing under the salary cap before the secondary transfer window ends on Aug. 2.“It’s a salary cap league and there are constraints for sure,” Leitch said. “It sounds easy to have a lot of players go out and a lot of players come in, but it’s not always that easy. Plus we like our group and we think it can be really competitive here.”The secondary transfer window is the last time that MLS teams can trade with each other or sign someone from abroad and have those players be eligible for competition this season.San Jose hasn’t won a playoff game since 2012 or appeared in the postseason since 2020, but being in playoff position this year hasn’t spurred any major moves yet this summer. Akinola, who made 39 starts an...

Antioch approves new tenant protections

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:05 GMT

Antioch is strengthening its tenant protections with new rules against landlord retaliation and harassment.After hearing more than three hours of public comments and debate on the matter, the City Council voted 3-1 on Tuesday, with Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock dissenting and Councilman Mike Barbanica, a real estate agent/broker, recusing himself.“Antioch is not the first city to propose anti-harassment protections,” proponent Ethan Silverstein, an attorney with the tenant advocate group ACCE Institute, told the council. “These protections are becoming more and more popular. Even Sacramento is considering one.”The anti-retaliation policy will bar landlords from retaliating against tenants when they exercise certain legal rights and future protections related to their rentals. Examples include landlords increasing rent after a tenant requests a broken appliance be repaired or replaced.And, although state law prohibits harassment of tenants with the intent to get them to leave their hom...

The 10 U.S. Senate seats most likely to flip in 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:05 GMT

By Simone Pathe | CNNIn a presidential contest cycle, Senate races don’t get the same kind of attention when there’s still a year to go until Election Day. But the start of the second fundraising quarter earlier this month brought a host of new candidate names – some declared and some still biding their time – that will help shape the race for control of the chamber in 2024 and the ultimate power dynamics for whoever is president in 2025.With more candidates launching their campaigns this month, the prospect of competitive primaries has become more real – especially on the Republican side. That’s especially true in the top three seats most likely to flip, which represent the GOP’s best chances to pick up the one or two seats they’d need to control the chamber, depending on who wins the presidency. (Rankings are based on CNN’s reporting, fundraising figures and historical data about how states and candidates have performed.)West Virginia’s GOP primary – mainly between the governor an...

7 awesome Bay Area things to do this weekend, July 28-30

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:00:05 GMT

From scary movies and amazing photographs to gorgeous hikes (with waterfalls!) we have some truly amazing ways to enjoy the heck out of this weekend. So let’s get to it, shall we?As with everything these days, be sure to double check websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.1 SEE & HEAR: Great shows are happening all overFrom outdoor Shakespeare productions to a photo exhibit that will change what you think of photography, there are a ton of cool concerts, shows and exhibits to check out this weekend and beyond.Luke Howard (with his 15-month-old son on his back, snaps a photo of his sister Ella Howard, left, and his wife Isabelle Ni Ruachain at Cascade Falls in Mill Valley. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 2 PLAY: Hikes with waterfallsIt’s sounds...