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Solving the puzzle of a ‘forever’ FasTrak credit: Roadshow

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:04 GMT

Q: A while back, FasTrak sent me an invoice for a toll lane violation. The photo clearly showed my car in another lane, not the toll lane. I phoned and the agent agreed, then gave me credit on my account. It’s not a big deal, just 50 cents. But since I only occasionally cross a bridge and never drive in the toll lanes, I was recently told I could never use up that 50-cent credit unless I illegally used a toll lane worth exactly that amount.This seems ludicrous. What a waste of money to send regular statements for a 50-cent “forever” credit. I’d gladly donate that to FasTrak, if it would stop the nonsense.I have a valid license plate account that automatically pays from my credit card. An agent and I tried to use the credit by deleting the credit card and then I crossed a bridge for business. The toll invoice will still not use the lane violation credit.Can you help?Kristin Biechler, Castro ValleyA: John-the-MTA-spokesman described yours as an interesting case, made trickier by unlin...

It may be time to break out the masks against Covid, some experts say

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:04 GMT

By Sandee LaMotte | CNNIf you’re at high risk of serious illness or death from Covid-19, it’s time to dust off those N95 masks and place them snugly over your nose and mouth to protect yourself from a recent uptick of the virus, according to a growing number of experts.That advice should go all the way up to 80-year-old President Joe Biden, said Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a cardiologist.“Octogenarians comprise the highest-risk group for complications following Covid infection,” Reiner said.“At least until the numbers start to drop again, it would be appropriate for President Biden to take some precautions and wear a mask in crowds.”Other high-risk groups include people with diabetes, cancer, chronic liver, kidney or lung disease, organ or stem cell transplants, HIV or other immunocompromising conditions, a history of heart disease or stroke, dementia or mental health issues.“If you’re a caregiver for somebody who is at increased risk of complication following infection, then I think you s...

California considers permanent ban on watering grass at businesses, even in non-drought years

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:04 GMT

California’s most-recent drought is over. Reservoirs are full. Ski season lasted until July.But despite the wet winter, an effort is gaining momentum in the state capitol to add manicured green grass to the list of business trappings — like fax machines, pagers and typewriters — that have become obsolete in a changing world.During California’s three-year drought, state water regulators banned watering “ornamental turf” at corporate, industrial or government properties with potable water as a way to preserve supplies. That emergency regulation is set to expire next June.A new bill would make the ban permanent. Under the measure, AB 1572, it would be illegal for businesses like office parks, car dealerships, supermarkets, strip malls, or corporate campuses to water decorative grass with drinkable water — whether or not California is in a drought. Scofflaws would face fines of up to $500 a day.The prohibition also would apply to factories, industrial...

Moratorium on mobile home park rent increases in Sonoma County

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:04 GMT

(KRON) -- The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved a temporary moratorium on rent increases in mobile home parks in unincorporated areas on Monday. The ordinance takes effect immediately and will remain in place until February 2024. The ordinance does not apply to mobile home parks inside the county’s nine cities.Supporters of the ordinance say it will preserve housing for vulnerable populations. Around 67 mobile home parks are in unincorporated areas of the Sonoma County.  SF appeals court to hold hearing on enforcing homeless sweeps in city “Affordable housing is critical in Sonoma County, and this is a process that cannot be rushed,”  said Chris Coursey, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “We are placing a pause on rent increases in mobile home parks while we have a discussion about the best way to regulate these rents. In the end, our goal is to protect renters and this critical source of affordable housing for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.” The ...

Williams-Sonoma: Fiscal Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:04 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Williams-Sonoma Inc. (WSM) on Wednesday reported fiscal second-quarter net income of $201.5 million.On a per-share basis, the San Francisco-based company said it had profit of $3.12.The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 10 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $2.72 per share.The seller of cookware and home furnishings posted revenue of $1.86 billion in the period, falling short of Street forecasts. Eight analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.97 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on WSM at https://www.zacks.com/ap/WSMSource

Encuesta NBC: la frontera y el aborto, entre los temas más populares antes del debate republicano

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:04 GMT

IOWA: Un enorme 77% de los probables asistentes a las asambleas republicanas de Iowa dicen que es más probable que voten por un candidato que apoye el uso del ejército estadounidense para asegurar la frontera sur, mientras que un 65% adicional dice que es más probable que respalden a un candidato que luche contra la “izquierda”.Por el contrario, más de la mitad de los probables asistentes a las asambleas republicanas en Iowa (54%) dicen que es menos probable que voten por candidatos que “critican agresivamente” al expresidente Donald Trump por los múltiples cargos penales que enfrenta.Esto es según cifras recientemente publicadas de la última encuesta de NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom de Iowa que midió siete temas diferentes entre el electorado republicano en Iowa antes del debate presidencial republicano de este miércoles.¿El apoyo a las siguientes posiciones le haría más o menos probable favorecer a un candidato, o no importaría?Sólo el 16% de los encuestados di...

India lands a spacecraft near the moon’s south pole, becoming the fourth country to touch down on the lunar surface

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:04 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — India lands a spacecraft near the moon’s south pole, becoming the fourth country to touch down on the lunar surface.Source

4 Adams County inmates hospitalized following possible overdoses

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:04 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Multiple inmates at the Adams County Jail in Brighton were transported to a hospital from likely overdoses.FOX31 reached out to the Adams County Sheriff's Office on reports of multiple inmates being treated for a medical emergency. Man allegedly holding firearm shot, killed by officer On Wednesday, Sgt. Adam Sherman said that four inmates in one of the jail's housing units were taken to a local hospital. The cause for the medical emergency has not been confirmed, but Sherman said an overdose is a "likely possibility."The condition of the inmates is not known at this time. Investigators will continue to determine what caused the medical emergency and if it was an overdose, how drugs got inside the jail.

Suspect faces multiple charges after injuring Miami Police officer in hit-and-run incident

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:04 GMT

A suspect is set to face a judge after he injured a Miami Police officer following a hit-and-run incident on Aug. 14. Detective Marvalyn Lee Chin, the injured officer, is currently recuperating at Jackson Memorial Hospital after undergoing surgery to address injuries sustained on her arms and legs. Meanwhile, the suspect, identified as Andrewin Wardell, is set to appear in court Wednesday to face a string of serious charges. The incident unfolded as Detective Lee Chin responded to a robbery in progress. During her intervention, she was struck by a maroon Nissan Murano driven by Wardell. The collision was described as intentional, pinning Detective Lee Chin against a parked vehicle. The officer’s dedication to her duty resulted in her suffering significant injuries. Wardell, 49, now faces a series of charges in connection with the incident. The charges against him include robbery/carjacking, attempted felony murder/causing injury, battery on a law enforcement officer, leaving t...

No injuries reported after plane emergency lands near Opa-locka West Airport

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:04 GMT

Emergency crews responded to an abandoned airport following a report of a plane down in the Opa-locka area. Around 9:30 a.m., Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) dispatched an Air Rescue South unit to the area of Northwest 186th Street and Northwest 137th Avenue where they had a helicopter land on an old runway that was once part of Opa-locka West Airport.Sources said the plane, which had a male and female passenger aboard, belonged to the Wayman Aviation which is based out of North Perry Airport, located in Pembroke Pines. The aircraft company had pilots flying in the area for flight training before they came across flight issues. The plane landed safely and several emergency responders checked out the passengers as a precaution, but they both walked away with no injuries. Live video footage showed the aircraft just feet away from a tree as it stopped on a patch of land on the old airport’s property.Representatives from Wayman Aviation were also on the scene as they determined what...