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Thefts prompt 17 states, including Colorado, to urge recall of Kia, Hyundai cars

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:12 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Attorneys general in Colorado and 16 states on Thursday urged the federal government to recall millions of Kia and Hyundai cars because they are too easy to steal, a response to a sharp increase in thefts fueled by a viral social media challenge.Some Kia and Hyundai cars sold in the United States over the last decade do not have engine immobilizers, a standard feature on most cars that prevents the engine from starting unless the key is present.Videos circulating on the social media service TikTok have shown how people can start Kia and Hyundai models by using only a screwdriver and a USB cable. In Los Angeles, thefts of Hyundai and Kia cars increased by about 85% in 2022, now accounting for 20% of all car thefts in the city, according to the California attorney general’s office.These social media-inspired thefts have often ended in tragedy, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration blaming the stolen car trend for 14 reported crashes and eig...

Pasadena man gets 10 years in federal prison for fraudulent EDD card use, meth, weapons possession 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:12 GMT

A man from Pasadena was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on Thursday for using dozens of fraudulently obtained Employment Development Department (EDD) cards to fraudulently withdraw nearly $1 million in cash and for possessing methamphetamine and ammunition. Robert Sloan Mateer, 32, was also ordered to pay $937,173 in restitution. He pleaded guilty to one count of use of unauthorized access devices, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition in November 2022. Mateer, whose criminal history includes a felony conviction for taking a vehicle without consent, was pulled over for a traffic violation in Pasadena with 36-year-old Los Angeles native and co-conspirator Sarah Taylor Brown on Oct. 1, 2020.   Arrests made in $10M Arizona-to-California recycling fraud case Authorities searched Mateer’s Maserati SUV and found approximately 85 grams of methamphetamine, two cell phones with deb...

Major San Bernardino Mountain road under emergency repair due to winter storm

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:12 GMT

A major mountain road near Lake Arrowhead is undergoing emergency repairs due to severe damages caused by winter storms. Caltrans crews have been working to repair Route 189 between North Bay Road and State Route 173 since April 4. Crews observed large cracks in the pavement along with the retaining wall below being bulged and are working on a layering system repair, according to Emily Leinen with Caltrans District 8. “It is going to be a layering system repair so that means we’re going to be putting down material and then a rock blanket, and then concrete, and we just keep building those layers up,” Leinen said. Caltrans crews are also working to repair guardrail and potholes caused by the storm, which officials say will take time because the ground is still saturated. Local residents are concerned with the damages and potholes and are hoping to see repairs soon. “I’ve seen a couple of crews but we were talking on our way here that we could really...

San Jose math tutor arrested on suspicion of sharing child sexual abuse material online

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:12 GMT

SAN JOSE — The director of a San Jose math tutoring center has been arrested on suspicion of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material, authorities said.Deoel Credo Noveno, 30, of San Jose, was arrested April 11, the San Jose Police Department said in a statement Thursday.In September, detectives determined Noveno was in possession of and distributing the material on social media applications as “Zanrath#6659” and “Leothe9th1,” police said.Detectives also learned Noveno was employed as the center director of a Mathnasium in San Jose, where he tutored and had access to young children, police said.Mathnasium, which has locations throughout the Bay Area, offers private math tutoring, according to its website.In addition to arresting Noveno, detectives served a search warrant at his residence, police said. Police did not disclose what, if any, evidence they found at the home.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Man shot and killed in South San Jose Cri...

Prep basketball: Burlingame boys coach resigns after cancer diagnosis

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:12 GMT

Longtime Burlingame boys basketball coach Jeff Dowd is stepping away from coaching after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.Dowd, 58, was diagnosed in September but continued to coach. His resignation was first reported by the San Mateo Daily Journal.“I was trying to keep it close since I was trying to figure out how it would affect me,” Dowd told the Bay Area News Group on Thursday. “Before the season I met with a doctor I felt pretty comfortable with and he said ‘We’ll get you through the year, and then we’ll talk.’”Dowd coached Burlingame for 21 seasons over two stints — 1997-2012 and 2018-23 — and led the team to a 393-171 record, 10 league titles and Central Coast Section crowns in 2021 and 2022.Dowd said that after he received his diagnosis, he watched his diet closely while exercising more.“As strange as it seems, I feel great,” Dowd said. “I feel like I’m in some of the best shape of my life.”Dowd said he has experienced an outpouring of support from friends an...

Millbrae 6th grade teacher arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting students

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:12 GMT

(KRON) -- A teacher at a Millbrae middle school was arrested on Thursday in connection with sexual assault of students, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said. Matthew Garrett, 54, is accused of touching young students from 2007 to 2022.Officials were first told of a sexual assault on Feb. 24, 2023. SMCSO deputies responded to the school, located at 850 Taylor Blvd, at about 5 p.m. for the alleged sexual assault of a student. San Jose math tutor arrested for child porn possession After learning about the allegation, Garrett was placed on administrative leave, SMCSO said. An investigation revealed that the assault occurred between November 2021 and March 2022. While the sheriff's office investigated the assault, detectives learned of other juvenile victims. SMCSO said they claimed they were touched inappropriately between 2007 and 2022. Garrett was arrested at his San Francisco home on Thursday. He was booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility on 10 counts of sexually mole...

Maple Leafs bounce back, beat Lightning 7-2 to even series

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:12 GMT

John Tavares had his first playoff hat trick and the Toronto Maple Leafs rebounded from a poor playoff start with a lopsided 7-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night to even the teams’ first-round playoff series at a game apiece.Mitch Marner had two goals and an assist, William Nylander added a goal and an assist, and Zach Aston-Reese also scored for Toronto.Morgan Rielly tied a franchise record with four assists. Auston Matthews also had two assists for the Maple Leafs, whose stars stepped up. Ilya Samsonov made 19 saves for Toronto after being pulled in Tuesday’s 7-3 loss.Ian Cole and Corey Perry scored for the Lightning, who were without injured defensemen Victor Hedman and Erik Cernak. Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has played every minute of Lightning postseason action since 2020, allowed seven goals on 35 shots.The series shifts to Florida, where Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-seven set are scheduled for Saturday and Monday.RANGERS 5, DEVILS 1NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Chris...

Details emerge on why Loudoun Co. schools spokesman was charged with lying under oath

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:12 GMT

Before a Loudoun County Public Schools spokesman is set to go to trial in June, WTOP has learned what he said to a grand jury that led to perjury charges.Wayde Byard was indicted on charges of lying under oath on Aug. 2, 2021, when testifying to a grand jury. It’s one of the many facets of the state’s investigation into two sexual assaults by a high school student, looking into how the Loudoun County school district handled the crimes.In his testimony last August, court filings show what schools spokesman Wayde Byard said under oath. He said that he was unaware of a sexual assault that occurred at Stone Bridge High School handicapped bathroom stall in May 2021 until a second sexual assault was committed in October 2021 by the same now 15-year-old student at Broad Run High School.In exchanges between the spokesman and prosecutor, Theophani K. Stamos, special prosecutor to the special counsel to the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, found it hard to believe Byard d...

Tavares, Marner lead Maple Leafs past Lightning, series tied

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:12 GMT

TORONTO (AP) — John Tavares had his first playoff hat trick and the Toronto Maple Leafs rebounded from a poor playoff start with a lopsided 7-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night to even the teams’ first-round playoff series at a game apiece.Mitch Marner had two goals and an assist, William Nylander added a goal and an assist, and Zach Aston-Reese also scored for Toronto.Morgan Rielly tied a franchise record with four assists. Auston Matthews also had two assists for the Maple Leafs, whose stars stepped up. Ilya Samsonov made 19 saves for Toronto after being pulled in Tuesday’s 7-3 loss.Ian Cole and Corey Perry scored for the Lightning, who were without injured defensemen Victor Hedman and Erik Cernak. Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has played every minute of Lightning postseason action since 2020, allowed seven goals on 35 shots.The series shifts to Florida, where Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-seven set are scheduled for Saturday and Monday.Facing a 0-2 defi...

Kreider scores 2 more, Rangers open 2-0 lead on Devils

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:12 GMT

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Chris Kreider scored two power-play goals in a three-goal second period and the New York Rangers stunned the New Jersey Devils 5-1 on Thursday night to a take a 2-0 lead on the road in their first-round playoff series.Patrick Kane added a goal and two assists and fellow trade deadline acquisition Vladimir Tarasenko scored for the second straight game as the Rangers again had their way with the young Devils. Kaapo Kakko also scored and Adam Fox added two more assists to give him six in two games. Igor Shesterkin had a relatively easy night, making 21 saves.Erik Haula scored for New Jersey, which has been outscored 10-2 after going 3-0-1 in the regular season against New York. Vitek Vanecek finished with 26 saves in a game that got one-sided and chippy late. Referee Wes McCauley and Frederick L’Ecuyer sent five players from each team to the locker room with 6:40 left.The best-of-seven series shifts across the Hudson River to Madison Square Garden for Games 3 ...