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Traffic impacted while authorities investigate deadly crash on southbound 101 Freeway 

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:00:30 GMT

The Monday morning commute for drivers on the 101 Freeway is being impacted heavily by a deadly crash involving a pedestrian, authorities said. Sky5 footage shows a police presence on the southbound span of the freeway at the shared exit to Santa Monica Boulevard and Western Avenue.  Fire crews work to contain overnight brush fire in San Fernando Valley amid Santa Ana winds The two right lanes and the on-ramp to the southbound 101 were blocked through 6:45 a.m. Monday while police conducted their investigation. Sky5 footage shows a police presence on the southbound span of the freeway at the shared exit to Santa Monica Boulevard and Western Avenue on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (KTLA)A SigAlert has been issued for the area, with traffic backed up from the Gower Street exit, according to KTLA 5 traffic reporter Ginger Chan. The deadly crash came mere hours after another deadly crash closed all lanes of the northbound 405 Freeway at Sherman Way on Monday morning. 

Jonny Couch Feels the Tension

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:00:30 GMT

BuzzcocksA Different Kind of Tension (United Artists)Jonny Couch Feels the Tension: Jersey glam rocker Jonny Couch told us about his love for a Buzzcocks classic.(United Artists)Hi!  I’m Jonny Couch from Jersey City, NJ and I’m influenced by many genres of rock, however my favorite “punk” band has always been Buzzcocks, who in my opinion transcend the genre.My all time fave LP is A Different Kind of Tension by Buzzcocks.  This album immediately hits you over the head- with vocals, guitars, and drums all starting on beat one of “Paradise”!  The listener is immediately treated to Pete Shelley’s quirky lyrics, beautiful melodies and zany delivery in the way that only Pete can deliver it.  No one can emote beauty, frustration, desperation, and pain in a song quite like this late great.The classic tune “You Say You Don’t Love Me” is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.  Like a lot of Buzzcocks’ tunes, it is extrem...

Cool Down With Cineol — How Eucalyptol Affects CBD Hemp Strains

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:00:30 GMT

For thousands of years, people have enjoyed the fresh earthy scent of eucalyptus plants. However, scientists only recently discovered what gives the eucalyptus genus its distinctive aromatics. One terpene called “eucalyptol” or “cineol” seems to be responsible for eucalyptus’s cooling properties. Interestingly, recent data suggests that eucalyptol may be present in many popular CBD hemp strains.When evaluating Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for full-spectrum CBD oils, you may run across eucalyptol. Therefore, it’s important to know the potential flavors and effects eucalyptol produces.How Does Eucalyptol Make CBD Hemp Strains Smell?If you have experience sniffing the eucalyptus plant, then you know how difficult it is to describe its distinctive aromas. However, most people who’ve encountered eucalyptus suggest it has “cooling” properties. While eucalyptol may not be the same as mint or menthol, it’s naturally present in m...

LA County medical examiner indicates additional investigation required in death of actor Matthew Perry

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:00:30 GMT

By Josh Campbell, Cheri Mossburg and Alli Rosenbloom | CNNThe cause of actor Matthew Perry’s death at his residence Saturday will require additional investigative steps by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office before reaching a conclusion, according to records from the agency.The medical examiner updated its online record for Perry on Sunday afternoon, listing his cause of death as “deferred.”“In cases where the cause of death cannot be determined at the time of autopsy, a deferred certificate will be issued until additional studies have been completed,” according to the LA coroner’s guidelines.An autopsy has been conducted, but examiners are awaiting the results of toxicology reports in order to determine Perry’s cause of death, the medical examiner’s office told CNN on Sunday. Such reports can take weeks to complete.Investigators are planning to use the toxicology reports to determine whether any foreign substances may have contributed to Perry’s death, according to a l...

What were those tiny winged insects in Kensington, North Berkeley after recent rains?

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:00:30 GMT

DEAR JOAN: We had an unusual phenomenon this morning. As the sun warmed the ground after our rain, hundreds of small flying insects started to swarm.It appeared they were coming from the ground but I could not see where. We have decomposed granite in the courtyard where they appeared from but no sight of little holes. They are approximately ½-inch to 5/8-inch overall, two sets of glasslike wings — looks like a wingspread of about 1 inch.We had to run an errand to Berkeley, and they appeared throughout North Berkeley. Suddenly, after about two hours, they disappeared.— Shelley Dommer, KensingtonDEAR SHELLEY: What you experienced is common in the fall after a rain shower. The winged insects are subterranean termites. Termites are common throughout California, and we have both dry wood and those underground dwellers. One sign that you have a colony living below you are mud tunnels they create to reach wood above the ground.The termites are sexually mature; they leave the co...

TasteFood: Use farro in this made-from-scratch herby pilaf

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:00:30 GMT

If you have ever prepared rice pilaf, chances are you’ve made it from a boxed mix — the slim package filled with dried rice and a sachet of spices (with likely a sprinkling of other, less natural ingredients). In fact, a pilaf is easy to make from scratch with whole and healthy ingredients, and, more important, it will taste better. The method is simple and makes for an easy side or vegetarian dish.The principle behind a pilaf is to saute grains and then steam them in a flavorful broth, embellished with aromatics such as garlic, onion and dried spices. In this recipe, hearty farro is the grain. Farro is an ancient wheat grain (which means it’s not gluten-free) with a chewy texture and a nutty, earthy flavor. It’s protein- and nutrient-rich, packed with fiber, iron and magnesium. If you prefer another grain, bulgur or rice are good substitutes. (Note that the cooking times will vary.)You’ll find various forms of farro available in the shops. Whole farro ...

Wish You Were Here: On safari in Tanzania

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:00:30 GMT

Related ArticlesTravel | Wish You Were Here: Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula Travel | Wish You Were Here: Adventures in Budapest Travel | Wish You Were Here: Galapagos adventures Travel | Wish You Were Here: A Kenya safari Our intrepid readers have traveled far and wide in recent months, from the islands of the Galapagos to the shores of Easter Island and “Lord of the Rings” locations in New Zealand, sharing their stories and practical tips along the way.Now, a San Jose family is sharing their safari adventures.Wish You Were HereSan Jose residents Julianne, Alison and mom Anita Phagan recently visited the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. (Courtesy of the Phagan family) TANZANIA: San Jose residents Julianne, Alison and mom Anita Phagan recently traveled to Tanzania with their friends Steve and Karen Brandon of Livermore and Anne Ortiz of Milpitas. Their sightseeing stops included the Ngorongoro Crater and...

Travel Troubleshooter: Uber owes me $100. Can you help me get it back?

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:00:30 GMT

DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: I have an account with Uber. Earlier this year, I added my granddaughter to my account so that she could have easy travel from the University of Washington in Seattle to my house in Mercer Island, Washington.Christopher Elliott, the Travel Troubleshooter I added her successfully, but when she tried to access the account, Uber said that there was “not enough money” in the account for her to use the service. I was puzzled because Uber had my credit card on record. There was never a question of having money in the account, but I dutifully added $100. However, Uber still denied their service to my granddaughter.So I opened a Lyft account, which solved the problem. My granddaughter can now use that account for rides.Meanwhile, I wanted the $100 back from Uber. I have emailed and called the company repeatedly, but no joy. On the last call I made, a representative told me that the problem had to be handled by the accounts department and that the...

Amid eroding trust in elections, Democratic groups walk a delicate line as they seek East Bay registrar’s removal

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:00:30 GMT

At a moment when election denial has spread across the country, eroding trust in government institutions and the political process, embattled Alameda County registrar Tim Dupuis is a key figure in a no-win situation for public officials and activists seeking to build faith in elections.Over the past few years, Dupuis, who was hired in 2013 into a double role as the county’s election registrar and information technology director, has faced multiple problems in the election office and reams of criticism from voters and groups across the political spectrum.File photo of Alameda County registrar Tim Dupuis when he was named the new registrar of voters for Alameda County in 2013. (Courtesy of Alameda County) In 2020, Dupuis’ office was accused by the regional American Civil Liberties Union and other voting rights groups of failing to post election materials in multiple languages, as required by the state; inadequately training poll workers; and failing to install ballot ...

Mental health parity laws aren’t working. Santa Clara County wants to take action

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:00:30 GMT

Despite several federal and state laws passed in the last few decades to make sure health insurance companies are covering physical and mental health the same, many are still not getting the mental health treatment they need. Now, Santa Clara County wants to join the fight for mental health parity.As recent as 2020, state lawmakers tried to bolster California’s Mental Health Parity Act, which was first passed in 1999. The most recent iteration, led by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), expanded the types of medically necessary treatments and mental illnesses — including substance use issues — that health insurance companies would have to cover. The previous law only covered treatment for nine serious mental illnesses.Despite the bold promises though, patients are still slipping through the cracks, as noted by mental health advocates who in a May letter to the state’s Department of Managed Health Care questioned whether the agency was enforcing the new law.&...