Denver Public Schools bars administrator amid McAuliffe seclusion room investigation

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:01:40 GMT

Denver Public Schools bars administrator amid McAuliffe seclusion room investigation As part of the ongoing fallout from an investigation into the use of a seclusion room at McAuliffe International School, Denver Public Schools has barred an administrator responsible for overseeing the school from all district facilities and information systems.The administrator is Colleen O’Brien, the executive director of the Northeast Denver Innovation Zone. She oversees three semi-autonomous Denver schools, including McAuliffe, a popular middle school that has been involved in several high-profile controversies this year.Families and educators at McAuliffe have been on edge for months and staged a “walk-in” Tuesday morning to protest what they see as DPS’s attempts to dismantle their school. Principal Kurt Dennis was fired in July after he spoke up about gun violence and safety concerns, and the district opened an investigation into the improper use of seclusion rooms at McAuliffe in August. McAuliffe’s innovation status — which allows the school extra flexibility in...

Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer and Courtney Cox remember Matthew Perry

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:01:40 GMT

Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer and Courtney Cox remember Matthew Perry More of Matthew Perry's "Friends" costars are honoring the actor. On Wednesday morning, Jennifer Aniston posted a throwback photo with Perry to Instagram."Oh boy this one has cut deep... Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that I’ve never experienced before," she wrote. "We all experience loss at some point in our lives. Loss of life or loss of love. Being able to really SIT in this grief allows you to feel the moments of joy and gratitude for having loved someone that deep. And we loved him deeply. He was such a part of our DNA. We were always the 6 of us. This was a chosen family that forever changed the course of who we were and what our path was going to be."Aniston also posted a screengrab of a text message between the two, something she said she plans on keeping "forever.""For Matty, he KNEW he loved to make people laugh. As he said himself if he didn't hear the ‘laugh’ he thought he was going to die," she explained. "His life literally depen...

Long Beach works to revitalize downtown after high-profile attack

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:01:40 GMT

Long Beach works to revitalize downtown after high-profile attack Earlier this month, a shocking video from Long Beach captured an alleged sexual assault perpetrated by a homeless man. It was the latest in a series of disturbing incidents involving the mentally ill and drug-dependent denizens of the city's streets, residents and business owners told KTLA.In response, city leaders are attempting to tackle the problem head-on with a program called "Roadmap to Downtown Recovery: Enhanced Focus on Downtown Long Beach."Rebekah Pedersen spoke with KTLA about the homeless man who sexually assaulted her in an incident captured on video. Oct. 23, 2023. It's a "three-phase plan, starting with the short term, to ensure that our downtown reflects the best of Long Beach," Mayor Rex Richardson said on X, formerly Twitter. "DTLB is an incredible community with a lot of momentum already—this is how we can ensure a strong recovery that prioritizes the needs of our local residents. When our downtown thrives, everyone thrives," Richardson added. Hard Rock Hotel to...

A driver forced to flee the I-10 fire was charged a towing fee

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:01:40 GMT

A driver forced to flee the I-10 fire was charged a towing fee The fire that erupted on the 10 Freeway Saturday night was so intense that dozens of drivers were forced to abandon their cars and run for their lives, and at least one of them says he's being forced to pay to get his vehicle back after it was towed when the flames were put out.  “It was terrifying,” 20-year-old Isaiah Stacy-Sutton, who escaped the flames that night, said.  The college freshman was on his way to his father’s home early Saturday morning when the blaze, along with thick plumes of toxic smoke, enveloped the interstate overpass at Alameda Street near downtown Los Angeles.  “Flames were getting on the freeway,” he told KTLA’s John Fenoglio. “From what I could hear and see, stuff was blowing up.   10 Freeway arson investigation continues as heavy traffic delays expected At that point, the 20-year-old didn’t realize it was a raging inferno on one of the nation’s busiest roadways.  “I had no way of turning around,” he explained. “From where my car...

Justin Syphurs Fatally Struck in Pedestrian Accident on 43rd Avenue [Glendale, AZ]

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:01:40 GMT

Justin Syphurs Fatally Struck in Pedestrian Accident on 43rd Avenue [Glendale, AZ] 26-Year-Old Man Pronounced Dead after Pedestrian Collision near Peoria AvenueGLENDALE, AZ (November 15, 2023) – Justin Syphurs died Sunday in a pedestrian crash on 43rd Avenue and Peoria Avenue on November 5th. First responders arrived to the area around 5:15 p.m., after receiving multiple dispatch calls.Investigators say a woman was heading west in a vehicle and struck the victim as he was crossing mid-block. Medical personnel arrived and pronounced the pedestrian, 26-year-old Syphurs dead due to the extent of injuries sustained.Police officers later determined that the involved female driver was not under the influence and speed did not play a factor. Emergency crews closed the surrounding area for a brief time during cleanup and preliminary duties. At this time, an active investigation to determine more information is still currently underway.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. Deepest condolences and sympathies are with the fami...

À la Mode: Arts Calendar November 16-22

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:01:40 GMT

À la Mode: Arts Calendar November 16-22 Animation à la mode, the best new photography, collaborations at the ceramics kiln, live-scored art cinema, contemporary history painting, major currents in SoCal poetry, community day at the museum, a big new group show about living here, iconic work from an indelible artist, the world’s most powerful puzzler, the business end of art, interactive dance avatars on exhibit, old timey records as therapy, a visual culture convention with a queer kick, plus galleries with painting, photography, meditative and unconventional mediums, and more.French Animation Fest at Theatre Raymond KabbazThursday, November 16French Animation Fest at Theatre Raymond Kabbaz. A wide range of animated shorts with an array of artistic styles, techniques and themes from poignant tales to daring visual explorations. Each film is an artistic nugget offering its own unique experience. Among this eclectic collection of 11 animated shorts, many have been selected for prestigious festivals, while others introduce e...

East Bay highway back opened following overnight closure caused by crash

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:01:40 GMT

East Bay highway back opened following overnight closure caused by crash SUNOL — A highway closure caused when a vehicle slammed into a telephone pole Tuesday night was lifted early Wednesday, the California Highway Patrol said.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Map: Peninsula roads closed for Biden-Xi meeting at Filoli Crashes and Disasters | Help! Jarring, ‘teeth-rattling’ connector ramps at 87 and 280 need to be smoothed out: Roadshow Crashes and Disasters | Letters: MTC tax proposal | South Bay jewel | Creating danger | Tuition hike | Using leverage | Array of technology Crashes and Disasters | ‘If I was only solo in the carpool lane briefly, should I really get a ticket?’: Roadshow Crashes and Disasters | Letters: Shelter help | Social workers | ‘Bulb Guy’ | ‘Killing device’ The CHP did not have information on the condition of the driver or anyone else who may have been in the vehicle.Both the east and west direc...

CHP officers get biggest raise in 20 years — It’s almost double what Gov. Newsom gave other unions

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:01:40 GMT

CHP officers get biggest raise in 20 years — It’s almost double what Gov. Newsom gave other unions BY NIGEL DUARA | CalMattersCalifornia’s state police for the second year in a row will enjoy a salary bump that far exceeds the raises Gov. Gavin Newsom has offered to other public employees thanks to a state law that grants them automatic pay increases.California Highway Patrol officers are getting a 7.9% wage increase, marking their biggest raise in 20 years. Last year, they received a 6.2% general salary increase. Both are historically high raises for the officers.Raises for CHP officers by state law are based on the average compensation at five other law enforcement agencies: The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments in Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland and San Francisco.The formula includes base salary, retirement benefits and add-ons like longevity pay and educational incentive pay. It does not include overtime.An annual compensation survey released late Monday by the state department of Human Resources found the average take-home pay for those agencies ...

APEC updates: Protest erupt across SF ahead of Biden-Xi meeting

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:01:40 GMT

APEC updates: Protest erupt across SF ahead of Biden-Xi meeting SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- As the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference entered its fifth day, protests erupted across San Francisco ahead of a much-anticipated meeting between President Biden and Chinese Leader Xi Jinping. With widespread street closures in effect, including two lanes shut down on the Bay Bridge, San Francisco has been transformed by the conference, which is expected to draw 20,000 people and 22 world leaders to the city. APEC street closures: How to navigate traffic, closures, and tow away zones Follow our live blog for the latest updates on protests, road closures and more.APEC San Francisco 2023 live updates:Wednesday, Nov. 158:45 a.m. -- Protesters attempt to block APEC entranceProtesters have gathered outside the San Francisco Chronicle Building at 5th and Mission streets near the main entrance to the APEC summit at the Moscone Center. As of 8:45 a.m., the protest remained peaceful as protesters linked arms, facing off with a line of police officers, some of who are...

Cop City Protesters Tried to Plant Trees. Atlanta Police Beat Them for It.

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:01:40 GMT

Cop City Protesters Tried to Plant Trees. Atlanta Police Beat Them for It. Activists march toward the construction site for the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center as part of the Block Cop City march in Atlanta on Nov. 13, 2023.Photo: Carlos Berrios/Sipa USA via APDEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Dozens of protesters began gathering early Monday morning in a small, unremarkable park in southeast Atlanta. By 9 a.m., over 400 people — a coalition of local Atlantans and visiting activists from around the country — had assembled to attend a day of protests dubbed “Block Cop City.” The event was just the latest mass demonstration in over two years of resistance against the construction of a vast police training facility, known as Cop City, over hundreds of acres of Atlanta’s forest land.Cops reacted to the day of action by attacking a slow-moving, peaceful march with tear gas and rubber bullets, just the latest reminder of why the compound, designed to further militarized counterinsurgency policing, should never be built.Organizers were clear from the start:...