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With first-of-its-kind law, Colorado officials can now block you on social media

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:42 GMT

Elected officials in Colorado can now ban people from their private social media pages for any reason under a bipartisan bill signed into law Monday, a first-of-its-kind statute that’s prompted criticism from First Amendment advocates.But with a potentially decisive U.S. Supreme Court decision looming, will the new law stand?HB23-1306, enacted into law with Gov. Jared Polis’ signature, seeks to draw a line between officials’ public and private social media pages. Under the law, a public page — like one linked directly to an office or run using public resources — couldn’t ban anyone from interacting with it. But a private one — an account that predates an official’s election or one that’s kept distinct from official action — now can.It’s the first law of its kind in the United States, First Amendment experts and the bill’s proponents say. It follows standards set by a federal appellate court, which ruled in 2022 ...

Denver fines three landlords $500 each for operating without residential rental licenses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:42 GMT

For the first time, Denver fined three landlords $500 each for not getting the city’s required residential rental licenses, which went into effect earlier this year.The citations were issued Wednesday and Thursday to properties that had previously received warnings and a $150 fine. The affected properties include a complex at 1232 Gaylord St. in Cheesman Park, a complex at 1522 N. Wabash St. in East Colfax and 29th Street Apartments at 651 29th St. in Five Points.If they fail to undergo inspections and apply for the licenses, they could be hit with another $999 fine in as soon as two weeks, Excise and Licenses spokesperson Eric Escudero said.As of now, his department has sent more than 1,110 warning letters and around 50 $150 fines and citations.“More $500 fines will be likely coming soon for unlicensed properties,” Escudero said. “It’s a bad day for us anytime we are left with no option but to start issuing fines and citations.”On Thursday, more than 6...

Recent rains, snowmelt raises reservoirs, swells rivers, thickens grass and trees around Colorado

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:42 GMT

Snow melting steadily in Colorado’s mountains, combined with a soppingly wet May and early June, has left water storage reservoirs relatively full and rivers flowing at normal or higher-than-normal levels, easing drought anxieties.The rain falling regularly across metro Denver and the high plains brought near-record moisture, which has saturated soils to the point they are primed for flooding. And vegetation in cities and farm fields is thickening. This means reduced demands for water that, in typical years, draw down reservoirs. Denver Water officials this week ramped up releases from the 96% full Dillon Reservoir through its dam into the Blue River, a tributary of the Colorado River. The utility officials touted benefits for fish, other aquatic life and possibly people who want to go rafting.National Weather Service data on rainfall from May 1 through June 6 shows the following totals:Castle Rock with 12.07 inchesCentennial with 10 inchesAurora with 10.8 inchesDenver with 8....

Home equity declines reappear for the first time since 2012

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:42 GMT

LAS VEGAS — For the past 11 years, homeowners could count on the equity they held in their homes going in one direction– up. But that changed in the first quarter, with Colorado in the camp of states with bigger losses, according to a report Thursday from CoreLogic.The losses aren’t big enough for most people to notice and most owners retain a huge cushion of equity that should help them get through a recession, said Selma Hepp, chief economist with CoreLogic on Thursday at the National Association of Real Estate Editors in Las Vegas“It only matters if you have to sell your home,” she said.U.S. homeowners with mortgages, which is roughly 63% of the total, saw their equity decline 0.7% on average in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year. That works out to a cumulative loss in wealth of $108.4 billion, or about $5,400 per borrower.In Colorado, homeowners lost on average $23,000 in equity, or more than four times the loss per...

Another Denver brewery appears to have closed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:42 GMT

When they opened their doors in September 2019, the owners of Counter Culture Brewery & Grille hoped to bring something different to Denver’s craft scene — a casual restaurant that was equally as focused on good food as it was on classic and easy-drinking beer styles.But then came the pandemic, followed by the exit of brewery co-founder Kevin McCrossin and of head chef James Bland. Then in March, Counter Culture, at 205 E. 7th Ave., closed for a month’s worth of maintenance, according to a sign on the door.Two months later, the sign was still on the door, but the brewery’s social media pages are down, and the phone goes right to a generic voicemail.Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | “RuPaul’s Drag Race” stars, Five Points Jazz Festival, Denver Greek Fest and more things to do in Denver this week Restaurants, Food and Drink | Denver brewery known for pre-Columbian beers to close this summer Resta...

Foul play suspected in March 2022 disappearance of Sylmar man

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:42 GMT

Authorities investigating a man who has been missing for over a year are now suspecting foul play was involved in his disappearance. Ariel Holley was last seen on March 13, 2022, near his residence in Sylmar, but cell phone data pinpointed the 34-year-old's location to Lake Hughes. Detectives searched the area for clues on Thursday and they believe Holley was with another person when he disappeared. Ariel Holley pictured on July 12, 2021. (LASD) LASD investigating after man killed in South L.A. shooting The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau has taken over the investigation from the LAPD. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.com or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. 

Burbank Unified School District places superintendent on paid administrative leave 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:42 GMT

The Burbank Unified School District has placed Superintendent Dr. Matt Hill on paid administrative leave. No reason has been given as to why Dr. Hill was placed on leave, with the Board citing it as a “confidential personnel matter.” The Board voted to give Dr. Hill a new contract in July 2022 that was set to expire in 2025. According to his contract, if the Board votes to terminate Dr. Hill at a later time without cause, they will still have to pay his salary for one year, including health and welfare benefits.  Fights break out amid Glendale school board meeting on Pride curriculum In a letter to parents, the school district said that they did “not take this action lightly.” Dr. John Paramo, the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, will serve as acting Superintendent. The Board will discuss its leadership at its regular meeting on June 15. 

Family says teen died a hero trying to save brother from Northern California river

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:42 GMT

SACRAMENTO  — A 15-year-old who died in the Sacramento River over the weekend was trying to save his younger brother, the family said.Amari Quarles jumped in to help his 13-year-old brother, Elijah, who went into the surging river to retrieve a thrown football during a family gathering at Sand Cove Park on Sunday.“He died a hero. He died to save somebody else’s life, and he lost his in turn,” Amari’s father, James Sashe, told KXTV-TV.Amari, who loved football and music, had just completed his freshman year at Natomas High School and got straight As this semester, his family said.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Five hospitalized after walkway collapse in Texas Crime and Public Safety | Snake bites 7-year-old along East Bay hiking trail Crime and Public Safety | BMX star Pat Casey dies in crash at Southern California motocross park Crime and Public Safety | Pittsburg: Multi-car crash on Highway 4 leaves two trapped ...

California DOJ extends oversight of Vallejo Police Department

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:42 GMT

The California Department of Justice plans to continue its oversight of the Vallejo Police Department, the Times-Herald has learned.The state agency announced this news Wednesday in a brief, emailed response to an inquiry by this newspaper. The statement emphasized a list of 45 recommendations for improving Vallejo law enforcement that the OIR Group, an independent consulting firm, provided the city in 2019 amid public outcry over alleged police brutality.As of last month, the Vallejo Police Department had implemented only eight of these recommended reforms.“While we have seen recent meaningful progress, the Vallejo Police Department has not implemented all 45 of the recommendations,” a spokesperson for the California Department of Justice said. “As a result, we are working to formalize a new phase of oversight of the Department in the form of a court-ordered settlement agreement.”It was previously unclear whether the Department of Justice intended to extend its review of the Vallej...

LA helped the Bay get an NWSL team. Now, Angel City and Bay FC are ready for a NorCal-SoCal rivalry

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:42 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — The co-owners of Bay FC haven’t been shy about where they got their inspiration from — even if it breaks usual Bay Area sports tradition.Led by four former U.S. women’s national team stars Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osbourne, Danielle Slaton and Aly Wagner, the foundation of Bay FC can be directly tied to Angel City FC, the National Women’s Soccer League team in Los Angeles.“Honestly, when Angel City announced their team, I immediately called the girls and said, ‘If Angel City’s doing it, why are we not?’” Osbourne recalled on Saturday in San Francisco at Bay FC’s first public event.Angel City representatives, including owner Julie Uhrman, were at the Presidio on Saturday for Bay FC’s effective kickoff event, celebrating a team that they helped bring to life.“They’re the trendsetter in this space and women’s soccer in the United States,” Wagner said of Angel City. “The way that they launched their brand, the way that they did it by bringing their community together. We’...