A new location of a health-conscious fast-casual salad chain mixture is opening a 2,800-square-foot store at 401 Santa Monica Boulevard in Santa Monica, according to property leasing documents.

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Cancellation possible at any time

The Santa Monica store will be Mixt's third location in Los Angeles, with others in Silver Lake and Miracle Mile. Since opening in downtown San Francisco in 2005, the chain has opened a total of 16 locations, most of them spread across several California cities and one each in Dallas and Scottsdale, Arizona.

Owned by a married couple David And Leslie Silverglide — who has an impressive background in environmental science and engineering — Mixt offers customers a selection of signature salads or lets them build their own from a wealth of fresh ingredients. The couple came up with the idea while bemoaning the lack of healthy fast-food options on a trip back to San Francisco from Lake Tahoe, Mixt's website says.

What now? Los Angeles has contacted Leslie Silverglide for comment.

The post Mixt Seems to Be Coming to Santa Monica appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

I realize this story is a few days old, and while I'm not sure I have any particular insight to add to it, I think it's worth showing and discussing, because what the hell is this? As far as I can tell, this is what happened: A couple was slowly driving through San Francisco traffic in their 2017 Toyota Corolla when a yellow tow truck with SPECIALTY TOWING's livery did something unexpected: It apparently attempted to tow the couple's car while they were driving it. That would be, um, that would be hijacking, wouldn't it? Whatever it is, it looks very wrong, and it's very disturbing that it was even attempted.

The couple, who do not want to publicly share their last name, according to ABC 7 Los Angeles, were out running normal errands on April 9. When they stopped at a stoplight, the two drove behind the tow truck from Specialty Towing, which they thought might be in the area to tow a Waymo robotaxi stopped on the side of the road. But the tow truck seemed more interested in human cars, a proclivity known as “The Most Dangerous Game.” The truck extended its low-mounted wheel jacks and backed into the Corolla to grab the car and tow it away. From the news outlet:

“He came from the side. I thought he was turning right. He was backing up and all the lights came on. That's when we thought, 'Hey, something's wrong. His lever came down,'” she said.

A video taken by a witness shows the tow truck making several attempts to attach itself to the 2017 Toyota Corolla.

The driver of the Corolla backed up, but a car behind him blocked his path. As can be seen in the video, the tow truck continued to try to grab the Corolla, and eventually the car behind the Toyota was able to swerve, giving the Corolla enough room to back up and escape.

Luckily, a witness caught the whole thing on video, and it almost feels like a scene from a nature show where you're rooting for the little rodent to escape the big lizard, or something like that:

This is all very concerning because what is the tow truck driver up to here? When you watch the video, it is clear that the tow truck driver is trying to catch the car. Joanne, the woman in the Toyota seen in the video, points out that her car's payments and registration are all up to date, but even if they weren't, to my knowledge there is no law in this country that would make it okay to pick someone up and lock them in their car while their vehicle is being towed.

The truck gives chase after the Corolla speeds away, which makes things even stranger. Why is he so fixated on the car? And what could his plan have been if he had managed to hook it to the trailer hitch? The Corolla is front-wheel drive, so theoretically he could have towed it. Where to? Back to the tow yard? To essentially pay back the car to its owners, who were unwillingly taken away with the car? This all sounds like a crime.

Was this a case of incorrect car identification? I tried reaching Specialty Towing both directly and through their dispatch service and although they did not respond through their direct line, the dispatcher told me they would forward my message to them, but I don't think I'll hold my breath.

It's probably worth noting that the owners of Specialty Towing have been charged with welfare fraud by the San Francisco City Attorney (see the City Attorney's website) and that the company is currently barred from bidding on city contracts.

I know there are many stories about shady towing companies doing pretty lousy and underhanded things, but this is certainly the first time I've heard of a tow truck apparently attempting to steal a runnable car with passengers right off the street.

If you ever find yourself in this situation, I wonder what the best thing to do is. If there is space, reversing is certainly the first, best and most instinctive thing to do, but what if you can't reverse? Can turning the front wheels completely to one side or the other interfere with the connection of those control arms? If your parking brake is on, will the control arms be pulled away? Honestly, I'm not sure, but if this sort of thing keeps happening, maybe we should see an expert and do some testing.

Whatever the case, this is terrible and I think we should all be aware of it.

The “Tow Track” is an intelligent little RC robot that can rescue cars and/or play sneaky pranks

The physics behind the drawbar load and why some trailers get out of control

Woman finds loophole at gas pump and gets 7,400 gallons of gas for free

The post San Francisco Tow Truck Seems To Strive To Snatch A Automotive That Somebody Is Actively Driving, And It is Weird appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

After Arrest in United Kingdom, Zhang Li Admits Role in Scheme to Bribe Mohammed Nuru; Zhang’s U.S.-based Real Estate Development Company also Charged

October 16, 2023 – SAN FRANCISCO – Zhang Li, founder and chief executive officer of a Chinese real estate development company appeared last night in U.S. District Court on charges that he bribed former head of the San Francisco Department of Public Works Mohammed Nuru, announced First Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Robbins, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Darren Lian. A U.S. company that Zhang controls, Z&L Properties, Inc., was also charged with honest services wire fraud for providing bribes and gifts to Nuru in exchange for favorable city treatment of Z&L Properties’ mixed-use project at 555 Fulton Street in San Francisco, Calif. As part of a negotiated disposition both Zhang and Z&L Properties will waive the right to indictment and admit that they engaged in certain conduct.

Zhang, 70, of Guangzhou, China, has been charged by Information with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. According to the Information, Zhang bribed Nuru by providing him with food, drinks, luxury lodging, and transportation during a trip Nuru took to China in 2018. The Information alleges the purpose of the bribe was to influence Nuru so that he would provide favorable treatment on decisions and city approvals needed during the construction and development of a mixed-use property at 555 Fulton Street in San Francisco being developed by Zhang and a company Zhang controlled.

Z&L Properties Inc., a U.S. company formerly based in Fremont, Calif., and controlled by Zhang, was also charged in a separate Information with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and honest services wire fraud for its participation in the bribery scheme. Z&L Properties managed the development of the 555 Fulton Street project and the company facilitated the payment of bribes to Nuru in exchange for favorable treatment regarding the 555 Fulton project, according to the allegations in the criminal Information.

“Zhang Li and Z&L Properties have admitted that they bribed a top San Francisco public official. The criminal charges and resolutions announced today send a clear message that this office will not tolerate the corruption of public officials in the District by anyone, including individuals acting from outside of the United States,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins. “To those who seek to corrupt public officials in the United States, wherever they are, we will use the powers at our disposal to bring them to justice and hold them accountable to the rule of law.”

“Zhang Li, who earned his profits through bribery of a San Francisco public official, is yet another individual charged in connection to our ongoing public corruption case,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. “Public corruption erodes public confidence and strikes at the very foundation of our government. The citizens of San Francisco deserve better, and we stand firmly committed to investigating both corrupt officials and private citizens who attempt to bribe them, no matter where they reside.”

“IRS-Criminal Investigation’s priority is to ensure a fair and level playing field for all taxpayers,” said Special Agent in Charge Darren Lian of the Oakland Field Office. “Mr. Li’s conduct shows that greed and financial crimes have no borders, and we will continue to pursue those who take advantage of our system and taxpayers by following the money worldwide. We are proud to have worked alongside our federal law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing this case a step closer to closure.”

Zhang originally was charged by criminal complaint in May of 2021. At the request of the United States, Zhang was arrested when he arrived in the United Kingdom in December 2022 and the United States pursued extradition. After approximately six months, Zhang consented to extradition and was subsequently surrendered to U.S. authorities. The charges against Zhang now are set forth in an Information filed by the government.

Zhang appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alex Tse in the Northern District of California. Magistrate Judge Tse released Zhang on a bond pending further proceedings.

According to the documents filed in Zhang’s case, the defendant and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have entered a deferred prosecution agreement. Under that agreement filed today, Zhang admitted to the conduct that forms the basis of the charge in the Information, and, if Zhang abides by the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement, the charge will be dismissed in three years.

According to filed documents, Z&L Properties also will plead guilty to charges set out in the Information filed against it; Z&L also will agree to a comprehensive compliance and remediation program designed to prevent bribery and corruption in connection with Z&L Properties’ real estate development work. Z&L Properties has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of honest services wire fraud, will pay a fine of $1,000,000, and will enter into a corporate compliance program acceptable to the Office of the U.S. Attorney. Z&L Properties appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alex Tse today, and the court set a further hearing before U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick, on August 10, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.

The charges against Zhang and Z&L Properties arose from an investigation into bribery and public corruption in San Francisco city government led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and IRS-CI. To date, more than 14 individuals and entities have been charged in connection that larger set of investigations, including Mohammed Nuru, former director of the San Francisco Public Works department; Harlan Kelly, the former general manager of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; and multiple city contractors and other facilitators of bribes and corruption.

Nuru was charged in January 2020, pleaded guilty in January 2022, and on August 25, 2022, Nuru was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison. A separate defendant charged in the investigation, Walter Wong, was charged in June 2020 with conspiracy to defraud the public of its right to honest services and with conspiracy to engage in money laundering, both involving Nuru. Wong entered a guilty plea and agreed to cooperate with the government’s San Francisco City Hall corruption investigation.

An Information merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant Zhang faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, plus restitution if appropriate. Z&L Properties faces a maximum fine of $500,000 per count, plus restitution if appropriate. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

The case is being prosecuted by the Corporate and Securities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Ward and Robert Leach are prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI). First Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins thanked the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and United Kingdom authorities for their assistance in the extradition.

Source: DOJ Release

Related:

Property Developer Z&L Properties Fined $1 Million After Pleading Guilty To Honest Services Fraud Conspiracy

Company Admitted Its Chairman Bribed Former San Francisco Department of Public Works Head Mohammed Nuru with Meals, Hotel Stay During China Trip

October 16, 2023 – SAN FRANCISCO – Z&L Properties Inc., a Foster City, California-based subsidiary of a Chinese property development company, was ordered to pay a $1 million fine as part of its sentence for bribing a San Francisco official in exchange for favorable treatment on a construction project, announced First Assistant United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Francisco Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentence was handed down by the Hon. William H. Orrick, United States District Judge.

According to the plea agreement, Z&L Properties’ executives approved or paid bribes to former San Francisco Department of Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru, including providing him and another individual with food, drinks, lodging, and transportation during a trip to China in 2018. The purpose of the payments was to influence Nuru to act favorably on Z&L Properties’ requests for city approvals needed to complete construction of a mixed-use property owned by Z&L Properties at 555 Fulton Street in San Francisco.

Z&L Properties was charged by Information on July 18, 2023, with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of honest services wire fraud. Z&L Properties pleaded guilty to the criminal scheme on August 17, 2023. In addition to the $1 million fine, Judge Orrick ordered Z&L Properties to implement a three-year anti-corruption corporate compliance program.

Also charged in the scheme was Zhang Li, 70, of Guangzhou, China. Zhang was the owner and controlling member of Z&L Properties as well as the chairman, co-founder, and chief executive officer of R&F Properties Co. Ltd., a real estate holdings and development company based in Guangzhou, China. R&F Properties does business in the United States through Z&L Properties Ltd. Zhang was charged by Criminal Complaint for his role in bribing Nuru. Zhang was arrested in London in November 2022 on an arrest warrant issued in the Northern District of California. He was required to post a £15 million ($19.1 million) bond and remained under house arrest in London for seven months before being extradited to the United States. Zhang waived extradition in June, returned to the United States, and entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the United States.

This case is part of a larger federal investigation targeting public corruption in the City and County of San Francisco. Nuru was charged in January 2020 with a long-running honest services fraud scheme. Nuru pleaded guilty to several charges on January 6, 2022, and was sentenced to serve 84 months in federal prison on August 25, 2022. Another defendant, Wing Lok “Walter” Wong was charged in June 2020 with conspiracy to defraud the public of its right to honest services and with conspiracy to engage in money laundering, both involving Nuru and others. Wong entered a guilty plea and agreed to cooperate with the government’s corruption investigations. Judge Orrick has scheduled Wong’s sentencing hearing for January 18, 2024.

Assistant United States Attorney David Ward is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of a multi-year investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.
Source: DOJ Release

The post Chinese language Nationwide Actual Property Developer Seems in Court docket to Face Expenses of Bribing a Distinguished San Francisco Public Official appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

SAN FRANCISCO – Zhang Li, founder and chief executive officer of a Chinese real estate development company appeared last night in U.S. District Court on charges that he bribed former head of the San Francisco Department of Public Works Mohammed Nuru, announced First Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Robbins, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Darren Lian. A U.S. company that Zhang controls, Z&L Properties, Inc., was also charged with honest services wire fraud for providing bribes and gifts to Nuru in exchange for favorable city treatment of Z&L Properties’ mixed-use project at 555 Fulton Street in San Francisco, Calif. As part of a negotiated disposition both Zhang and Z&L Properties will waive the right to indictment and admit that they engaged in certain conduct.

Zhang, 70, of Guangzhou, China, has been charged by Information with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. According to the Information, Zhang bribed Nuru by providing him with food, drinks, luxury lodging, and transportation during a trip Nuru took to China in 2018. The Information alleges the purpose of the bribe was to influence Nuru so that he would provide favorable treatment on decisions and city approvals needed during the construction and development of a mixed-use property at 555 Fulton Street in San Francisco being developed by Zhang and a company Zhang controlled.

Z&L Properties Inc., a U.S. company formerly based in Fremont, Calif., and controlled by Zhang, was also charged in a separate Information with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and honest services wire fraud for its participation in the bribery scheme. Z&L Properties managed the development of the 555 Fulton Street project and the company facilitated the payment of bribes to Nuru in exchange for favorable treatment regarding the 555 Fulton project, according to the allegations in the criminal Information.

“Zhang Li and Z&L Properties have admitted that they bribed a top San Francisco public official. The criminal charges and resolutions announced today send a clear message that this office will not tolerate the corruption of public officials in the District by anyone, including individuals acting from outside of the United States,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins. “To those who seek to corrupt public officials in the United States, wherever they are, we will use the powers at our disposal to bring them to justice and hold them accountable to the rule of law.”

“Zhang Li, who earned his profits through bribery of a San Francisco public official, is yet another individual charged in connection to our ongoing public corruption case,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. “Public corruption erodes public confidence and strikes at the very foundation of our government. The citizens of San Francisco deserve better, and we stand firmly committed to investigating both corrupt officials and private citizens who attempt to bribe them, no matter where they reside.”

“IRS-Criminal Investigation’s priority is to ensure a fair and level playing field for all taxpayers,” said Special Agent in Charge Darren Lian of the Oakland Field Office. “Mr. Li’s conduct shows that greed and financial crimes have no borders, and we will continue to pursue those who take advantage of our system and taxpayers by following the money worldwide. We are proud to have worked alongside our federal law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing this case a step closer to closure.”

Zhang originally was charged by criminal complaint in May of 2021. At the request of the United States, Zhang was arrested when he arrived in the United Kingdom in December 2022 and the United States pursued extradition. After approximately six months, Zhang consented to extradition and was subsequently surrendered to U.S. authorities. The charges against Zhang now are set forth in an Information filed by the government.

Zhang appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alex Tse in the Northern District of California. Magistrate Judge Tse released Zhang on a bond pending further proceedings.

According to the documents filed in Zhang’s case, the defendant and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have entered a deferred prosecution agreement. Under that agreement filed today, Zhang admitted to the conduct that forms the basis of the charge in the Information, and, if Zhang abides by the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement, the charge will be dismissed in three years.

According to filed documents, Z&L Properties also will plead guilty to charges set out in the Information filed against it; Z&L also will agree to a comprehensive compliance and remediation program designed to prevent bribery and corruption in connection with Z&L Properties’ real estate development work. Z&L Properties has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of honest services wire fraud, will pay a fine of $1,000,000, and will enter into a corporate compliance program acceptable to the Office of the U.S. Attorney. Z&L Properties appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alex Tse today, and the court set a further hearing before U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick, on August 10, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.

The charges against Zhang and Z&L Properties arose from an investigation into bribery and public corruption in San Francisco city government led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and IRS-CI. To date, more than 14 individuals and entities have been charged in connection that larger set of investigations, including Mohammed Nuru, former director of the San Francisco Public Works department; Harlan Kelly, the former general manager of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; and multiple city contractors and other facilitators of bribes and corruption.

Nuru was charged in January 2020, pleaded guilty in January 2022, and on August 25, 2022, Nuru was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison. A separate defendant charged in the investigation, Walter Wong, was charged in June 2020 with conspiracy to defraud the public of its right to honest services and with conspiracy to engage in money laundering, both involving Nuru. Wong entered a guilty plea and agreed to cooperate with the government’s San Francisco City Hall corruption investigation.

An Information merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant Zhang faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, plus restitution if appropriate. Z&L Properties faces a maximum fine of $500,000 per count, plus restitution if appropriate. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

The case is being prosecuted by the Corporate and Securities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Ward and Robert Leach are prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI). First Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins thanked the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and United Kingdom authorities for their assistance in the extradition.

The post Northern District of California | Chinese language Nationwide Actual Property Developer Seems In Court docket To Face Fees Of Bribing A Distinguished San Francisco Public Official appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

August 13, 2023|by Erik Torkells

••• James Perse is taking over the Angel store on Coast Village Road (and Angel is moving next to Bree’osh). The question remains whether this will be Perse’s third Montecito shop—along with the ones at the Montecito Country Mart and Rosewood Miramar Beach—or whether one of those is moving. I’d bet money on the Country Mart shop closing, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Mashburn took its place. The other day, at Mashburn’s Brentwood Country Mart outpost, a staffer told me that the Country Mart’s Jim Rosenfield has been hoping to find a space for the brand here.

••• San Francisco–based The Haunt has launched 90-minute ghost tours in Solvang ($49). The highlights: “Haunted 1900’s Danish architecture in historic Solvang; seek out the paranormal using professional ghost hunting tools; gripping stories of documented hauntings and true crimes.”

••• After I mentioned that the city of Santa Barbara bought 222 E. Anapamu Street (as disclosed in Hayes Commercial Group’s second-quarter report), Liz pointed out that it backs up against the current Santa Barbara Police Department station on E. Figueroa (perhaps the city has determined what to do with it once the SBPD moves to E. Cota Street), and Jim asked what the purchase price was. The deed actually shows no value, so either no money was involved in the transfer (e.g., a swap), or the city has found a way to hide it. The transfer happened on June 30, and a month later, the former owner, Ll&A 2 LLC, filed a deed of trust reconveyance. Perhaps the city paid off the debt associated with the property in exchange for taking it over…? I’m in way over my head here, so any experts out there should feel free to chime in.

••• The Goleta Lemon Festival is September 30 and October 1 at Girsh Park: “The festival is Goleta’s largest community event of the year, hosting over 80-plus booths featuring local non-profit organizations, crafts, lemony foods and beverages, and lemon-themed souvenirs.”

••• Item #1 of note on this Wednesday’s Historic Landmarks Commission agenda: a new building on the long, narrow lot at 123 E. Carrillo (Anacapa/Santa Barbara): “a new three-story residential apartment complex with a small commercial office fronting Carrillo Street. The development is comprised of three building volumes: one dedicated to units under the City’s Average Unit-Size Density Incentive Program comprised of three 2bed/1bath units with an average unit size of 962 square feet, a central stairway structure, and a mixed-use building comprised of ground floor waste/recycling and bike storage, a 287-square-foot commercial office, and an 850-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit occupying the second and third floor. The project includes exterior balconies and roof decks with solar array on supporting trellis structures and planters.” The existing one-story building would be demolished.

••• Item #2 from the HLC agenda: “Proposal to redevelop Ambassador Park [100 W. Cabrillo Boulevard] to celebrate Chumash cultural heritage and improve access and usage of the park. Project includes new landscaping and hardscaping, a gathering area for educational events and Chumash ceremonies/storytelling, and multi-lingual interpretative signage.”

················

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The post James Perse Seems to Be Shifting Down the Road appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

RENO, Nev. (AP) – Water conflicts are nothing new for the arid West, where myriad users have long been vying for their share of the precious resource, from California’s Central Valley to the Colorado and Missouri rivers.

But few have addressed the legal issue at play in rural Nevada: To what extent can residents, farmers, and ranchers claim water that seeps into the ground through the clay bottom of an outdated, unlined irrigation canal?

A federal appeals court recently breathed new life into a legal battle that has involved the US government and the high desert town of Fernley since a 118-year-old sewer burst in 2008, flooding hundreds of homes.

That year, the US Bureau of Reclamation began work on a plan to line portions of the 31-mile (50-kilometer) canal with concrete. The canal diverts water from the Truckee River, which flows out of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra, and directs it to irrigation ditches that support alfalfa farmers and ranchers about 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Reno.

However, farmers and ranchers in and around the town of Fenley said the repairs would prevent leaking water they’ve used to fill their wells east of Reno for a century.

The government says locals have no right to the water, which US taxpayers own. Government experts say the rehabilitation will also help prevent future sewer failures, although they acknowledge it will prevent leaks into the local aquifer used by Fenley residents.

Completed in 1905, the Truckee Canal was the first major irrigation system in the West under the Newlands Reclamation Act signed by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902.

The law was named after a Nevada congressman who said the project would “make the desert bloom” and attract settlers to places like Fernley, where annual rainfall averages five inches.

Similar projects followed throughout the arid west – many of them much larger. Construction of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River in Arizona began in 1903 and was dedicated by Roosevelt himself in 1911.

By then, two dozen projects had been approved, including one that dammed the Lower Yellowstone River near its mouth in the Missouri to irrigate farmland in Montana and North Dakota.

In Nevada, Fernley and surrounding agricultural users eventually became “totally dependent” on state-subsidized water supplies, their attorneys say.

Borrowing a sort of finder-keeper doctrine as old as the western expansion, opponents of sewer rehabilitation have argued in state and federal courts that they have a right to water, in part because no one told them before the canal broke that they not allowed to do that.

The bureau, the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, which operates the canal, and various judges generally agree that the water belongs to US taxpayers.

Fernley is trying to assert a water right that does not exist under state or federal law, irrigation district attorney Benjamin Shawcroft said in recent Nevada Supreme Court filings.

“A related but perhaps unanswerable question is why is the City of Fernley so determined to disrupt a project whose sole purpose is to prevent a canal breach and the flooding of hundreds of homes?” he wrote.

Fernley attorney David Rigdon said the city is not opposed to cheaper alternatives to reduce flood risk while maintaining groundwater recharge.

“What Fernley refuses is a cure worse than the disease,” Rigdon wrote in the court filings. “To fix an issue that was affecting about 500 homes, they implemented a solution that is jeopardizing the primary water supply for all 20,000 city residents.”

“And to make matters worse, they now want the very people they are harming to pay for the cost of building the project,” he wrote.

No one was killed or seriously injured in the 2008 flood, but the Irrigation District agreed to a $18.1 million class action lawsuit in 2016 involving 1,200 people who suffered property damage. Unusual, heavy winter rains put pressure on the canal system, and experts later found it had been weakened by decades of rodent burrowing down the sides.

The legal dispute over the plans for the rehabilitation of the canal followed.

Fernley filed for relief in a state court last year after US District Court Judge Miranda Du dismissed her federal lawsuit alleging that the government failed to adequately address the alternatives required by the National Environmental Policy Act when granting a 148 -Million dollar plan to route 12.7 miles (20 km) of canal approved.

In March, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Du’s ruling, which concluded that the NEPA claims had no legal basis because their interests in the water were economic, not environmental.

However, the San Francisco appeals court also concluded that she erred in refusing to allow Fernley to amend her lawsuit to prove either would cause harm.

Du issued a new order this month giving Fernley until June 12 to file an amended complaint while the Bureau of Reclamation completed work on the first phase of lining 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of the canal for $35 million continues.

Approximately $2.5 million of the initial phase is expected to be recouped from the Irrigation District through assessments from water users who rely on the District to meet the needs of a growing community that has doubled in size over the past 20 years.

Fernley now wants to show that the loss of groundwater recharge will have dramatic and complicated impacts on the natural environment, as well as on farmers’ wallets.

“It’s going to make our community polluting,” said David Stix, a longtime rancher and former mayor of Fernley.

He said hydrological studies suggest that subsidence in the local aquifer will draw water from saline marshes in the nearby Fernley Wildlife Management Area and deteriorate the community’s water quality.

“This migration would be of great concern because treating salt in water is much more expensive than treating arsenic,” Stix said. “There’s all these unknown domino effects.”

He is among those who say that lining the seawalls, but not the soil where the water seeps away, would achieve all goals at a lower cost without domestic wells “starting to suck in air.”

He fears that unless the aquifer is replenished by percolation, the landscape will eventually return to its pre-canal state.

“It was basically desert,” Stix said. “There was nothing here.”

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Tori Gaines and Ella Sogomonian

2 months ago

SAN FRANCISCO (CRON) — A San Francisco business is experiencing misplaced hatred after a man was filmed spraying water at what appeared to be a homeless woman outside the store. The problem is that although the man is the owner of a nearby business, he has nothing to do with them.

A video captured by another business owner shows a man using a hose to spray a powerful jet of water at a woman sitting on the sidewalk. The woman appears to be homeless, and as she screams, he continues spraying her.

The man then points down the street and commands “move” several times. Then he asks: “Do you want to move?” before the video ends.

The San Francisco Police Department says officers were called to the site just after noon Monday after receiving reports of a possible attack. Officers met a man they identified as a suspect in an altercation with a woman. Both parties reportedly refused police action as a result.

SFPD says the San Francisco Street Crisis Response Team was also called to the scene to provide support services to the woman. The officers filed a complaint with the police to document the incident.

The San Francisco Chronicle identified the man with the hose as Collier Gwin, owner of the Foster Gwin Art Gallery in San Francisco. He said he called police and social services and told the woman to move before allegedly throwing trash cans and yelling back.

Gwin stands by his actions, telling the Chronicle, “She starts screaming warlike things, spitting, yelling at me… at that point she was so out of control… I hose her down and say move, move.” . I’ll help you.”

The oldest living survivor of Pearl Harbor celebrates his 105th birthday

Social media users have criticized Gwin for what he has done, particularly against a woman who appears to be homeless. Someone shattered the glass on his front door on Tuesday. Many users also took to social media to criticize local business Barbarossa Lounge, seen behind Gwin in the video.

The owners of the Barbarossa Lounge made it clear in a statement that they do not condone Gwin’s behavior. “Barbarossa is not connected to the inhuman acts depicted in the video,” the statement said.

The video was captured by Edson Garcia, an employee at the coffee shop next door, who said he started recording when he heard the woman scream as he was stuck in traffic on his way to work.

Garcia and others in the area said they had seen the woman sit in the spot for the past few weeks, refusing help and asking to be left alone. Barbarossa’s owners called San Francisco Social Services to help the woman.

The Homelessness and Housing Department says business owners should call 3-1-1 if the homeless might be blocking the entrance. The Street Crisis Response Team (SCRT) will then contact and offer the person information about available services.

Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness, explains that the process requires more resources to work as intended.

Proud Boy’s hate speech trial begins 2 years after the January 6 riot

“Ideally they would be assigned an intensive case manager. Unfortunately there are thousands of people on the waiting list. The other thing that needs to happen is that we need to make sure that once people are in treatment, they are stabilized in accommodation that suits their needs,” she said.

Friedenbach confirms that this woman in the video was offered to go to congregation accommodation, but says it is not appropriate for a person who could be seriously ill and disruptive. San Francisco Chief Executive Aaron Peskin tweeted, “My office is well acquainted with the victim and has been attempting to enlist her support from (the San Francisco Department of Public Health) for many months.”

DPH has not commented on this story.

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A San Francisco police officer accused of robbing a Rite Aid pharmacy on Concar Drive in San Mateo appeared on video Thursday of his appearance in court on first crime charges and pleaded not guilty, the district attorney said San Mateo County with.

Davin Cole

Davin Cole, 56, a sergeant in the San Francisco Police Department and a San Mateo resident, is accused of entering the Rite Aid on November 3 and stealing 11 bottles of Norco worth approximately $ 919. Cole allegedly went to a pharmacy technician and gave them a slip of paper saying he had a gun and should give him the drugs and not call the police, prosecutors said. The technician alerted other employees of the robbery, who then called the police. Cole never pointed or waved a gun, prosecutors said. When the police arrived, Cole refused to stop and ran. Officials eventually stopped him after warning he would be stalked, prosecutors said. Cole had a small, unregistered pistol in his waistband, along with the Norco bottles and the robbery letter, prosecutors said. Cole said he has been addicted to pain medication for a decade, prosecutors said.

Cole appeared on video for his appearance at a detox center, prosecutors said. Cole’s next gig is on February 7th and he remains out of custody on $ 50,000 bail.

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SALT LAKE CITY — On the third night of the four-day Republican National Convention President Donald Trump joined Vice President Mike Pence on stage to hear the national anthem, capping a night where the party stood firmly behind “the thin blue line of law enforcement.”

Trump did not speak, but threw his support behind his vice president who moments before promised the American people that he and President Donald Trump will make America great again (again). He was among several Republicans who defended law enforcement, vowing never to defund the police, and promising strength on the streets of cities where protest or violence occurs.

Pence named Kenosha, Wisconsin, specifically among those cities, site of the most recent police shooting of a black man, 29-year-old Jacob Blake, a father of three who remained in serious condition Wednesday night. That shooting has sparked protests in Kenosha. In addition to the strong law and order message, Pence expressed compassion and concern for the thousands of American families who are suffering from the novel coronavirus, and those who are in the path of Hurricane Laura.

It showed the remarkable backdrop of the convention, part of an election season playing out while the nation deals with multiple crises, including deadly fires in California.

“The violence must stop – whether in Minneapolis, Portland, or Kenosha. Too many heroes have died defending our freedoms to see Americans strike each other down. We will have law and order on the streets of America for every American for every race and creed and color,” Pence said.

He also showed compassion for those in harms way.

“Our prayers are with you tonight, and our administration is working closely with authorities in the states that will be impacted … this is a serious storm,” he said of those in the hurricane’s path.

The Republicans used the night to showcase heroes and leaders, including Sister Deirdre “Dede” Byrne, a Catholic sister and retired U.S. Army doctor, who praised Trump for caring for the rights of the unborn. She said, “I’m not just pro-life, I’m pro eternal life.”

Multiple speakers throughout the night worked to slam Biden as part of the Washington establishment and the “radical left.” But Republicans also told upbeat stories of President Trump’s care for them personally.

Pence celebrated the promise of America, shining a light on the country’s ideals and values. He championed the American flag as a beacon of hope. He said God has helped the country stay free.

“Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom,” he said.

Pence wasn’t without making political points. Multiple times throughout his speech, Pence attacked Biden, saying the former vice president would lead America “on a path toward socialism.” Pence said “you won’t be safe in Joe Biden’s America.”

But the flag became the closing image of the night.

“We’re going through a time of testing,” he said. “But if you look through the fog of these challenging times, you will see our flag is still there today.”

Highlights:

• There was a sense of optimism during the third night. Speakers touted American heroes and leaders while also lifting up the Trump-Pence ticket.
• Multiple speakers throughout the night worked to slam Biden as part of the Washington establishment and the “radical left.”
• Another constant theme promoted Trump as a “law and order” president. There were acknowledgements of protests, riots and chaos in the streets. Pence and others said there must be support for law enforcement and all communities — no matter race, religion or creed.
• Speakers Wednesday spoke of President Trump’s support of women and the administration’s “America First” foreign policy, many giving personal accounts of their interactions with the president.
• A video presentation talked about Fort McHenry, and how the events there inspired the national anthem. The fort is a reminder for the patriots who have stood strong and prevailed. The video celebrated the national anthem.
• There were mentions of current events, including Hurricane Laura, the coronavirus pandemic, the protests over the shooting in Kenosha, Wisc., and more.

Quotes of the night:

• “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — Vice President Mike Pence
• “The heroes who held this fort took their stand for life, liberty, freedom, & the American flag and those ideals have defined our nation.” — Pence
• “America is a nation of miracles.” — Pence
• “Stay safe and know that we’ll be with you every step of the way to support, rescue, respond, and recover in the days and weeks ahead. That’s what Americans do.” — Pence
• “I’m running for Congress because we don’t need more career politicians. We need a few more chimney sweeps.” – Utah congressional candidate Burgess Owens
• “Every time Joe Biden offers a new idea, you should ask yourself, ‘why didn’t he try that the last 48 years?’” – Richard Grenell, former acting Director of National Intelligence
• “President Trump rightly calls his foreign policy America First.” – Grenell
• “Donald Trump truly cares for Black lives.” – Clarence Henderson, a participant of the 1960 Greensboro Woolworth sit-in
• “This is an election that will decide if we keep America America, or if we head down a frightening path toward socialism.” – Lara Trump, wife of the president’s son, Eric Trump
• “I knew my baby was a human being created by God, and that made him worthy of life. I am thankful that President Trump values the life of the unborn.” – Tera Myers, the mother of son with Down syndrome and school choice activist
• “Unlike the doctor who told me to end Samuel’s life before it even began, President Trump did not dismiss my son,” – Myers said of meeting Trump last year
• “I’m not just pro-life, I’m pro eternal life.” – Sister Deirdre Bryne
• “We are a people with a common set of ideals conceived in liberty. A people that have sacrificed time and again — for our freedom, and the freedom of others.” – Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL
• “For decades, he has elevated women to senior positions in business and in government.” – Kellyanne Conway of Trump
• “From Seattle to Portland, to Washington and New York, Democrat-run cities across the country are being overrun by violent mobs.” – South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem

Here is a running look of the speeches as they happened throughout the night.

Utah Republican congressional candidate says we need “more chimney sweeps”

Burgess Owens, a Republican candidate running to unseat Utah’s sole Democratic Congressman Ben McAdams.

The former NFL Super Bowl winner, who played professional football for a decade, said he lost it all after his business failed, leaving his family of six in a one-bedroom apartments in New York City. To provide for the family, Burgess said he worked as a security guard and a chimney sweep.

• “I’m running for Congress because we don’t need more career politicians. We need a few more chimney sweeps,”
• “We need more leaders like President Trump who understand the freedoms that make up the fabric of America.”
• “We have a Democrat candidate for president who says that I’m ‘not black’ if I don’t vote for him.”
• The former chimney sweep, author and Fox New contributor said his great-great grandfather came to America as a slave and escaped on the Underground Road.
• “I’m here today, a candidate for Congress, because of my great-great grandfather, Silas Burgess.”
• “This November, we have an opportunity to reject the mob mentality and once again be the America my great-great grandfather believed in.”

Grenell says why “America First” is worth four more years

Richard Grenell, the former acting Director of National Intelligence and former Ambassador to Germany, spoke of the nation’s ”endless wars.”

The former Trump Administration official said President Trump was right to call the endless wars “a disaster.”

• “American foreign policy was failing to make Americans safer.”
• “I wish every American could see how President Trump negotiates on their behalf.”
• “In four short years, Donald Trump has led even some Washington democrats to agree on the Chinese threat.”

He said that “nationalism” is a good thing, not something Democrats can attack Republicans for. Grenell then attacked Biden as an establishment candidate.

• “Don’t be fooled, the Washington establishment is trying to sell you on their candidate.”
• “Every time Joe Biden offers a new idea, you should ask yourself, ‘why didn’t he try that the last 48 years?’”
• “With Donald Trump and Mike Pence in the White House, the boss is the American people.”
• “President Trump rightly calls his foreign policy America First.”

“It has no bias of red or blue,” he added.

Look to history when making your election choice, says Clarence Henderson, Greensboro sit-in participant

Clarence Henderson — a participant in the 1960 Greensboro Woolworth sit-in — talked about the impact of peaceful protests and the need to understand history in the current political climate.

Henderson said the media is trying to make people believe in the same Democratic talking points. But America should pay attention to the past.

• “It was the Republican Party that passed the 13th Amendment.”
• “If you do vote for Biden, you don’t know history.”

Henderson said Trump has made America a place where people are judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin

• “Donald Trump truly cares for Black lives.”
• “Donald Trump is not a politician. … Politicians are a dime a dozen. A leader is few and far between.”

Lara Trump, wife of Eric Trump, says Trump will keep ‘America America’

Lara Trump made the case that Trump has been a helpful president for women in the workplace, and one who will keep America as a beacon of hope.

• “President Trump will keep America America.”

She said she wasn’t surprised when Trump nominated women to so many positions within the government. She listed off statistics about women and employment under Trump.

• “He didn’t do these things to gain votes or check a box. He did them because it was the right thing to do.”

Lara Trump also referenced Hurricane Laura, saying “May God bless the Gulf states” who are in the path of the hurricanes.

Lara Trump also spoke about violent mobs and how the idea of defunding the police will put people at risk.

• “We cannot dare to dream our biggest dreams for ourselves or our children” while consumed with the worries for our family.
• “This is an election that will decide if we keep America America, or if we head down a frightening path toward socialism.”
• “Will remain the beacon of hope for those around the world?”

Ohio mom and school-choice advocate praised Trump’s pro-life views

Tera Myers, the mother of son with Down syndrome, spoke to the benefits of school choice.

Her lobbying efforts in Ohio led to a law that provided scholarship money for special needs students to attend school that provide an “education tailored specifically to their individual needs,” according to a statement from the Trump/Pence campaign.

“One size did not fit all,” she said of the public school opportunities for her son.

Myers said she was told her son’s life “wasn’t worth living” by a doctor who suggested she terminate the pregnancy.

• “I knew my baby was a human being created by God, and that made him worthy of life. I am thankful that President Trump values the life of the unborn.”
• “Unlike the doctor who told me to end Samuel’s life before it even began, President Trump did not dismiss my son,” Myers said of meeting Trump last year.
• “President Trump gave Samuel an equal seat at the table.”

Sister Deirdre Bryne spoke of Trump’s pro-life beliefs

Sister Deirdre “Dede” Byrne, a Catholic sister and retired U.S. Army doctor, said humility is the foundation of her order, but she could speak of her experience. She had spent time deployed as a surgeon with the Army and has helped refugees abroad as a nun.

• “Those refugees all shared a common experiences…they have all been marginalized.”

Sister Byrne said the unborn are marginalized in America.

• “As followers of Christ, we are called to stand up for life.”
• “As a physician, I can say without hesitation, life begins at conception.”
• “I’m not just pro-life, I’m pro eternal life.”

“Donald Trump is the most pro-life president that this nation has ever had,” she said.

Crenshaw praises American heroes

Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas, spoke Wednesday night during the Republican convention about the courage and strength of Americans who face adversity.

Crenshaw — a former Navy SEAL, whose right eye was destroyed in an IED blast in Afghanistan — said heroism is not something you only experience on battlefields.

• “Every single day we see them, if you just know where to look. It’s the nurse who volunteers for back to back shifts caring for COVID patients because she feels that’s her duty. It’s the parent who will re-learn algebra because there’s no way they’re letting their kid fall behind while schools are closed. It’s the cop that gets spit on one day and will save a child’s life the next.”
• “We are a people with a common set of ideals conceived in liberty. A people that have sacrificed time and again — for our freedom, and the freedom of others. That’s something no other country — ever, anywhere — can claim.”

America is a nation full of heroes.

They deserve to be celebrated.

The American story deserves to be celebrated.

America is the greatest country on earth, and our future is bright.

That’s what my speech will be about. Be sure to tune in. https://t.co/eCtoorGIjn

— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) August 26, 2020

Kellyanne Conway lauded Trump’s support of women

Kellyanne Conway, a presidential advisor, said “a woman in a leadership role can still seem novel. Not so for President Trump.”

• “For decades, he has elevated women to senior positions in business and in government.”
• “He confides in and respects us.”

Conway said, “President Trump helped me shatter a barrier in the world of politics by empowering me to manage his campaign to a successful conclusion.”

• “For many of us, women’s empowerment is not a slogan…it comes from the everyday heroes who nurture us, shape us, and who believe in us.”

Conway lauded the president for taking on the drug crisis.

“He picks the toughest fights, and tackles the most complex problems. He has stood by me, and he will stand up for you,” she said.

Gov. Noem says Trump is “fighting for you,” spoke of principles

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, the state’s first female governor, spoke to America’s principles. Noem said those principles are “equality,” “freedom,” and “opportunity.”

• “But today, our founding principles are under attack,” the governor said.
• “We must fight to protect these foundational rights”
• “We are not, and will not, will be the subjects of an elitist class of so called ‘experts’.”

The governor said “it took 244 years to build this great nation, flaws and all. But we stand to lose it in a tiny fraction of that time if we continue down the path taken by Democrats and their radical supporters.”

• “From Seattle to Portland, to Washington and New York, Democrat-run cities across the country are being overrun by violent mobs.”

Noem lauded President Trump for shrinking the government, giving money back to hard working Americas, advanced religious liberty and protecting the Second Amendment.

“He’s fighting for you,” the governor said.

From Seattle and Portland to Washington and New York, Democrat-run cities across this country are being overrun by violent mobs. The violence is rampant. There’s looting, chaos, destruction, and murder. People that can afford to flee have fled. (1/2)

— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) August 25, 2020

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