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From the brink of extinction, the California condor is making a comeback

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:11 GMT

At the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, about 35 miles southwest of Bakersfield, an amazing recovery story is underway. The California condor, which was once speeding toward extinction, is making a comeback.“We are seeing condors breeding in the wild and pairing up, and finding their own food, and doing everything that they need to do to be successful,” said Nicole Weprin, a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.The USFWS-led California Condor Recovery Program has been working with partners at the San Diego Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo and elsewhere to try to increase the California condor population.It hasn’t been easy. In the 1980s, there were only about two dozen California condors known to be left in the entire world.  To try and save the species, a decision was made to try and capture all the remaining California condors in the wild and put them into a captive breeding program.  In 1987, the last known California condor living in the wil...

Storm threatens to flood San Bernardino County mountain communities, residents urged to prepare

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:11 GMT

Federal help from FEMA was approved Friday for 34 storm-ravaged California counties including Los Angeles and San Bernardino.An impending round of heavy rainfall is raising fears over dangerous flooding. The storm threatens to bring more damage to communities already struggling in the aftermath of a historic winter storm just weeks earlier.Residents are urged to take precautions as warmer temps will result in a ton of snowmelt, exacerbating flooding concerns.Officials are advising locals to fill up sandbags to protect their homes. A limited supply of free sandbags will be available at San Bernardino County fire stations. Those interested will need to bring their own shovel to fill the sandbags.However, officials say, “Homeowners should not depend on this supply and ideally should plan to purchase bags from home improvement and hardware stores. Purchase sandbags early and make them a part of your emergency supplies so they will be available when you need them.”Orange County Fire Auth...

After wild escape, ‘cocaine cat’ will live at Cincinnati Zoo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:11 GMT

By Beatrice Dupuy | Associated PressAn African serval cat that was found with cocaine in its system after an escape at a traffic stop now calls the Cincinnati Zoo home, much to the delight of social media users still amused by the recent release of the movie “Cocaine Bear.”The wild cat’s story has trended online, where users relished in the absurdity of the horror comedy, which riffs off the true story of a 175-pound black bear that was found dead near a duffle bag and some $2 million worth of cocaine. Social media users have predictably dubbed the serval “cocaine cat.”The slender feline made its escape after its owner was pulled over by police on Jan. 28, according to local animal control officials. It leapt from the car into a tree.Ray Anderson of Cincinnati Animal CARE said that local animal control, Hamilton County Dog Wardens, were called around 2 a.m. in the residential Oakley neighborhood.In Ohio, it is illegal to own the animals, which can weigh...

History achieved: Oakland High boys win first state basketball championship

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:11 GMT

SACRAMENTO – The day began with a message from one of Oakland High’s all-time greats, a video clip to tell the players how much he loved them and to remind them what they represent.“Y’all know where we come from and y’all know what it means for the town,” Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard said.A few hours later, Lillard’s former school ran through Buena-Ventura with an array of steals, blocks and far superior play at Golden 1 Center to capture the program’s first state boys basketball championship, 59-43.DAME’S VIDEO: Former Oakland star Damian Lillard sends message to teamThe Division III crown was sealed when Oakland, leading by 10 at halftime, blitzed the Southern California regional champion with a huge run to start the third quarter.Two minutes into the second half, the Wildcats led 33-13.From there, the only unknown was how decisive the outcome would be as Money Williams, Anthony Lacy and the rest of the Wildcats took complete command.Oakland never trailed ...

3 women drove into Mexico from Texas and disappeared

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:11 GMT

Associated PressPEÑITAS, Texas — Two sisters from Texas and a friend are missing in Mexico after they crossed the border last month to sell clothes at a flea market, U.S. authorities said Friday.The abduction of four Americans in Mexico that was caught on video last week received an avalanche of attention and was resolved in a matter of days. But the fate of the three women, who haven’t been heard from in about two weeks, remains a mystery and has garnered relatively little publicity.The FBI said Friday it is aware that two sisters from Peñitas, a small border city in Texas near McAllen, and their friend have gone missing. Peñitas Police Chief Roel Bermea said their families have been in touch with Mexican authorities, who are investigating their disappearance.Beyond that, officials in the U.S. and Mexico haven’t said much about their pursuit of Maritza Trinidad Perez Rios, 47; Marina Perez Rios, 48; and their friend, Dora Alicia Cervantes Saenz, 53.The episode stands in...

Jesús Alou, part of Giants’ historic all-sibling outfield and World Series champ with Oakland A’s, dies at 80

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:11 GMT

Jesús Alou, who left his mark with the Giants and the As and as a member of one of baseball’s most famous families, died on Friday. Alou would have turned 81 later this month.Alou helped make history with the Giants on Sept. 15, 1963 when he and older brothers Felipe and Matty appeared together in the same outfield. The brothers never started in the same game — Felipe was the Giants’ regular right fielder, Matty was primarily a defensive replacement, and Jesús, the youngest of the trio, was a 21-year-old call-up who wasn’t going to crack an outfield that had Willie Mays in center field and Willie McCovey in left.PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 17: San Francisco Giants outfielder Jesus Alou poses with his baseball on March 27, 1965 at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Arizona. (Tommy McDonough/Oakland Tribune) The Dominican Republic-born Alous were in the outfield together in the late innings of two more games, and played in the same game eight times in all...

160 remains and bodies found in Hayward warehouse linked to illegal cremations company

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:11 GMT

HAYWARD, Calif. (KRON) -- Six bodies and 154 cremated remains were found in a Hayward warehouse on March 1. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) said that the remains are linked to Oceanview Cremations, which was a crematorium that had its business license suspended.Oceanview Cremations' license was suspended in March 2018, and it was prohibited from storing remains on its premises. The California Cemetary and Funeral Board informed the Alameda County Coroner's Bureau on Feb. 28 that the business was continuing its operations. Longtime employee killed after roof collapses at Peet’s Coffee distribution center in Oakland A day later, the bureau went to the warehouse and recovered the remains. Five of the bodies were identified. One was not identified because the owner of Oceanview Cremations, Robert Smith, did not produce "viable information" about the location of death or next of kin, per ACSO.Authorities contacted the families of the people whose bodies were discovered, and...

Redwood City man, 89, reported missing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:11 GMT

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (KRON) -- The Redwood City Police Department is searching for a missing 89-year-old man. Rudolf Hahn was last seen in the 100 block of Birch Street in Redwood City at around 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Police described Hahn as a white man, 5-foot-3 and 175 pounds with a bald head. He was last seen wearing a brown-and-green coat with tan pants. Anyone who sees him is asked to call RCPD at (650) 780-7118.

Vann’s late bucket gives No. 14 Sooner women win over TCU

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:11 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Skylar Vann scored 21 points, including the game-winning layup with 2.2 seconds left and 14th-ranked Oklahoma avoided possibly the biggest upset in Big 12 Tournament history with a 77-76 win over TCU in the quarterfinals on Friday night.The Horned Frogs appeared poised to be the first 10th-seed to ever beat a two-seed when Lucy Ibeh scored inside with 4.8 seconds to play. But after a timeout, Taylor Robertson threw a deep inbounds pass to Vann, who was set up on the right side of the lane, and she spun to her right and went across the lane for the basket.Robertson made 5-of-6 3-pointers and scored 17 points for the Sooners (25-5), who will face the Baylor-Iowa State winner in the semifinals on Saturday. Aubrey Joens came off the bench to score 15 points, going 3 of 5 behind the arc. Madi Williams, who injured a knee in the regular-season finale, scored six points while wearing a brace.Ibeh was 10-of-13 shooting and had 24 points for the Horned Frogs (8-23), w...

No. 25 MTSU women beat UTEP, advance to C-USA title

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:11 GMT

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Jalynn Gregory scored 22 points, Kseniya Malashka had 18 points and 14 rebounds and No. 25 Middle Tennessee beat fourth-seeded UTEP 68-62 on Friday to advance to the championship game of the Conference USA Tournament.Middle Tennessee led for 37 minutes with UTEP’s last lead at 48-47 after N’Yah Boyd scored the opening five points of the fourth quarter.UTEP forward Elina Arike was left open for a 3-pointer to get within 61-59 but Courtney Whitson answered with a 3-pointer from the corner with 45.2 left. The Miners missed a quick 3-pointer on their next possession and Whitson made 1 of 2 free throws for a six-point lead.UTEP missed another jumper and Savannah Wheeler made 1 of 2 free throws with 21.8 left. Arike sank a long 3-pointer with to get within four points, but Gregory added two free throws to seal it.Whitson finished with 18 points for Middle Tennessee (27-4). Wheeler, who entered averaging 15.8 points per game with 28 points on Thursday, finished w...