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Denver man indicted on federal fraud charges in $8.5 million vacation rental scam on Airbnb, Vrbo

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:24 GMT

A Denver man found himself indicted on federal fraud charges in an $8.5 million vacation rental scam on Airbnb and Vrbo that not only allegedly defrauded thousands, but also racially discriminated against guests, in 10 states over several years.Shaunik Raheja, 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Thursday, alongside Miami resident Shray Goel, 35, on claims that the pair ran “a double-booking, bait-and-switch scam” through online marketplaces Airbnb and Vrbo. Deceptive vacation rental listings and phony cancellations involving more than 10,000 reservations and almost 100 properties resulted in the partners reaping more than $8.5 million in profit, according to an announcement by the Justice Department.That money broke down as more than $7 million from Airbnb bookings and more than $1.5 million from “additional and sometimes conflicting reservations through Vrbo” across 2018 and 2019, the indictment reports.“Fueled by greed, the defendants deceived...

Southern California jolted by magnitude 4.2 earthquake

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:24 GMT

An earthquake measuring 4.2 in magnitude shook the Los Angeles area Friday morning and was felt by potentially millions of people across Southern California. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck at 10:55 a.m. Pacific time with an epicenter 5.5 miles underground, just north of Rancho Cucamonga in the San Gabriel Mountains. The temblor, dubbed the Lytle Creek Earthquake, had a preliminary magnitude of 4.6, was downgraded to 4.1 and eventually the Geological Survey determined it was a 4.2. Interactive California Earthquake Map There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. "The Los Angeles Fire Department remains in a normal operating mode. There have been NO reports of injury, structure or infrastructure damage within our @LACity jurisdiction related to the M4.1," LAFD posted on X, formerly Twitter. Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist and founder of the Dr. Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society, said the earthquake occurred along two fault lines. "The [qu...

Video shows dog startled by Southern California earthquake

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:24 GMT

Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people, were jolted by a magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck Southern California Friday morning.Among them: Ernesto & Jeanie Moreira of North Fontana.The couple shared security camera footage from inside their living room which recorded video of the quake shaking their Christmas tree, holiday decorations and furniture – and frightening their dog, Coco.“He was so scared,” Ernesto told KTLA.Ernesto & Jeanie Moreira's dog, Coco, was startled by the magnitude 4.2 earthquake. Jan. 5, 2024. (Ernesto Moreira) North Fontana is only about two miles from the quake’s epicenter in the San Gabriel Mountains, so the Moreira’s home likely bore the full brunt of its force.No damage was reported to their home, or any other property across the Los Angeles area, and no injuries were reported, officials said. Latest California Earthquakes - Interactive Map The temblor, which struck at 10:55 a.m. local time, sent shockwaves across Southern California ...

Sweethearts updates Valentine's Day heart candies conversations to reflect 'situationships'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:24 GMT

For those who are heading into Valentine’s Day single or in non-traditional relationships, Sweethearts has the perfect candy for you.The company announced the debut of "Situationship Boxes," a product that leans into the dating trends of Gen Z. The candies will be available starting on Jan. 8 at 6 a.m. PST and can be purchased online. RXBAR to offer customers $2.5K to relocate their couch for a month The limited-edition boxes contain blurry or misprinted candles that are “as hard to read as Gen-Z relationships,” a news release said."Singles are taking 'situationships' to the next level this year, and Sweethearts is here for them," Evan Brock, vice president of marketing for Spangler Candy Company, said in a statement.  "The printing on Sweethearts isn't always perfect. This is our way of embracing those imperfections in a way that taps into pop culture." Doritos rolls out nacho cheese-flavored liquor A situationship is a term used to describe informal relationships and was ranke...

Actor Christian Oliver, two young daughters killed in Caribbean plane crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:24 GMT

Associated PressSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. actor Christian Oliver and his two daughters died in a plane crash near a tiny private island in the eastern Caribbean, according to police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.The crash occurred Thursday just west of Petit Nevis island near Bequia as the plane headed for nearby St. Lucia, police said in a statement.They identified the daughters as Madita Klepser, 10, and Annik Klepser, 12, adding that the pilot, Robert Sachs, also died.It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the crash, according to police.Authorities said fishermen and divers in the area went to the crash site to help as the St. Vincent and Grenadines Coast Guard headed to the area.“The selfless and brave acts of the fishermen and divers is very much appreciated,” police said.Related ArticlesObituaries | Actor David Soul, one half of ‘Starsky and Hutch,’ dies at 80 Obituaries | Glynis Johns dies at 100; award-winning actress was best known for rol...

Sale closed in San Ramon: $1.6 million for a three-bedroom home

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:24 GMT

115 Woodcrest Drive – Google Street ViewA 2,148-square-foot house built in 1997 has changed hands. The spacious property located in the 100 block of Woodcrest Drive in San Ramon was sold on Dec. 14, 2023. The $1,625,000 purchase price works out to $757 per square foot. The property features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, an attached garage, and two parking spaces. It sits on a 3,910-square-foot lot.Additional houses have recently changed hands close by:In September 2022, a 2,106-square-foot home on Claremont Crest Way in San Ramon sold for $1,669,500, a price per square foot of $793. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Pradera Way, San Ramon, in September 2022, a 2,715-square-foot home was sold for $1,760,000, a price per square foot of $648. The home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 1,962-square-foot home on the 2600 block of Deerwood Drive in San Ramon sold in November 2023 for $1,350,000, a price per square foot of $688. The home has 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. 

Baby Phoenix’s father pleads not guilty over her ‘horrific’ fentanyl death

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:24 GMT

San Jose man pleaded not guilty Friday to felony child endangerment and misdemeanor drug possession charges over the fentanyl overdose of his 3-month-old daughter Phoenix Castro, whose death led to reforms and calls for an overhaul of the Santa Clara County agency tasked with protecting children.In court filings submitted late last month, prosecutors upped the ante on David Castro, adding sentencing enhancements for great bodily harm, which could extend his possible sentence to a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted on all counts.Police released a mugshot of David Anthony Castro, who had a history of drug problems and arrests before the county’s Department of Family and Children’s Services sent him home in February with his newborn baby, Phoenix. When she died three months later of a fentanyl overdose, prosecutors charged him with felony child endangerment. (San Jose Police Department) Castro’s attorney, Mishya Singh, questioned why her client’s sentence was e...

Former Bay Area high school stars to play for Michigan, Washington in national title game

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:24 GMT

When Bay Area high school football fans tune into the college football national championship game between Washington and Michigan on Monday night, they’ll see some familiar faces on both teams.Washington lists 11 players from the Bay Area News Group’s coverage area, and Michigan has three.De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh, having coached a player on both teams, won’t be picking sides.“I’m rooting for a good game,” Alumbaugh said while laughing during a conversation with the Bay Area News Group this week.Redshirt senior Tuli Letuligasenoa has been an integral part of Washington’s defensive line rotation for years since graduating from the Concord powerhouse in 2018.“Tuli is 24 years old now, man, and I coached him when he was 16,” Alumbaugh said. “When he takes off his helmet, he looks like a man. I remember when he was 14, so it’s just surreal.”De La Salle football defensive tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa, left, signs his college letter of intent with Washington at De La Salle Hig...

SF Giants add former Cy Young winner in major trade with Mariners

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:24 GMT

The Giants didn’t land either of the two biggest free agents available this offseason, but are now trying to course-correct via trade.San Francisco has agreed to trade outfielder Mitch Haniger and starter Anthony DeSclafani to Seattle for Robbie Ray. Ray, a left-handed starter, won the 2021 American League Cy Young Award.The trade provides the Giants with an extra roster spot and sheds two big salary figures while giving them the chance at a high-upside arm in 2024.The 32-year-old Ray is coming off Tommy John surgery and won’t pitch in 2024 until after the All-Star break. He’s owed $73 million over the last three years of his contract, though he’ll have the chance to opt out after 2024.Ray made one start last year before his injury. In 2022, his last full season, he posted a 3.71 ERA across 189 innings.Haniger was the Giants’ biggest free agent acquisition last year, when the Giants inked him to a three-year, $43.5 million deal. Haniger’s long-doc...

Hazardous materials leak in Fremont prompts shelter-in-place

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:24 GMT

The Fremont Fire Department asked people to shelter in place late Friday morning while crews respond to a hazardous material leak in the area of Fremont Boulevard and Ice House Terrace.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Driver hospitalized after vehicle is hit by Caltrain in Burlingame Crime and Public Safety | Disaster avoided at Rose Parade after driver smashes through barrier Crime and Public Safety | One person died from fireworks on San Francisco’s Treasure Island shortly after the New Year Crime and Public Safety | BART train derails near Orinda, injuring nine, forcing station closures and delays Crime and Public Safety | Tesla Cybertruck involved in Bay Area collision The Fire Department issued an alert shortly after 11:45 a.m. but did not specify what hazardous material had leaked.The area asked to shelter in place until around 1 p.m. is west of Fremont Boulevard, north of South Grim...