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“Extortion demand” stopped $60M sale of offsite DIA parking, lawsuit says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:41 GMT

The halted sale of a $60 million parking lot near Denver International Airport has led two of the lot’s co-owners to accuse a third co-owner of extortion.USAirport Parking, west of the airport at 18000 E. 81st Ave. in Commerce City, first opened in 1998. Its shuttle lot offers covered and uncovered parking, along with oil changes.In January, Green Courte Partners, a Chicago company that owns The Parking Spot chain, offered to buy USAirport Parking for $57 million, according to a Nov. 20 lawsuit.William Barber, a co-owner and manager of USAirport Parking, asked for $60 million instead and Green Courte agreed to pay $60 million in August, the lawsuit claims.The ownership structure of USAirport Parking is layered and complex, with five LLCs splitting control. As the owner of one LLC and manager of two others, Barber “is able to exercise almost complete control over the business organization,” despite owning just 25.5 percent of USAirport Parking, according to his business partners, who...

Luca Schnetzler’s Visionary Leap: Bringing Pudgy Penguins into Walmart’s Aisles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:41 GMT

Luca Schnetzler, the dynamic CEO of Pudgy Penguins, has been redefining the boundaries between digital and physical retail with his latest venture. The strategic integration of Pudgy Penguins, a popular Ethereum NFT collection, into over 2,000 Walmart stores nationwide marks a significant milestone in the evolution of retail strategies.Schnetzler’s journey with Pudgy Penguins began with a bold move – acquiring the collection for 750 ETH, approximately $2.5 million (Twitter: @lucanetz). This acquisition not only transferred the ownership but also set the stage for the brand’s remarkable transformation. Under his leadership, Pudgy Penguins has grown from a digital phenomenon to a tangible product line, available for consumers to purchase at Walmart.The introduction of Pudgy Penguins collectibles in Walmart stores is more than just a business expansion; it represents a fusion of digital art with mainstream consumer culture. Each toy comes with a unique birth certificate, bl...

A Maestro’s Melody: Margarita Pinkosz’s Musical Mastery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:41 GMT

In the grand orchestra of the American classical music scene, Margarita Pinkosz shines as a unique and rare artist. Her expert skills in classical and historically informed performances are matched by her dual proficiency in piano and harpsichord, setting her apart as a musician of exceptional caliber. With over 20 years of musical experience, Pinkosz’s prowess on both the piano and the harpsichord is not merely about her technical mastery but also her ability to imbue each note with a life of its own—a testament to her status as an exceptional musical interpreter.Margarita’s musical journey began at 4, under the tutelage of her pianist parents. Pinkosz embraced the piano as her voice, her medium of expression transcending words. This connection to music was a sanctuary, a means of therapy that allowed her to navigate the complexities of life with poise and confidence. Rigorous training marked her formative years, which propelled her to win her first international piano ...

Letters: Critical insight | Teaching anti-Semitism | No context | Coarsened discourse

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:41 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Article offers insighton critical programThank you for running Ethan Baron’s article in The Mercury News with its thoughtful analysis of how financing from the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act can help to correct historical inequities in tree distribution and promote a healthier, fairer ecosystem.The article reinforces the idea that investments in urban greenery are not just about aesthetics but also about enhancing the overall quality of life and sustainability in disadvantaged communities. Additionally, your coverage of the difficulties these communities confront, such as the price of tree upkeep and the requirement for public engagement, recognized the challenges as well as the benefits of such endeavors.Once again, I want to thank you for your commitment to writing about topics that are important to our communities. Your effort is essential in promoting awareness and encouraging construct...

Overdue, overbudget high-speed rail just got $3.1 billion boost — will trains ever roll?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:41 GMT

California’s overdue, overbudget and oft-criticized high-speed rail project just got a $3.1 billion boost of federal cash towards completing what is supposed to be an early phase of the project connecting Merced, Fresno and Bakersfield in the state’s rural Central Valley.But the project is nowhere close to being done. Here’s the latest on where the project stands and whether we will ever see speedy trains traversing the Central Valley.Q: What’s the situation with high-speed rail funding?A: On Tuesday, officials announced the California High Speed Rail Authority will receive $3.1 billion in federal funding to support construction of a 220-mph, two-track electrified high-speed passenger rail line connecting the cities of Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield. Last year’s infrastructure bill provided the funding, which will pay for a station in Fresno, construction of additional track, six electric trains for testing and right-of-way acquisition.Q: So does that ...

DA clears Oakley cop who killed armed man after he shot at police ‘three or four’ times during standoff

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:41 GMT

MARTINEZ — An Oakley officer was justified in killing a man who’d fired at police several times during an armed standoff, the Contra Costa District Attorney ruled.The DA’s decision, announced Friday, was unsurprising in light of circumstances surrounding the the Aug. 25, 2022 death of 58-year-old Frank Correa. Called to the home for a report of domestic violence, the officers spent two hours trying to convince Correa to surrender peacefully, during which time fired “three or four volleys” at them, according to police testimony at Correa’s inquest hearing.When Officer Brett Jackson saw Correa making another trip to the front door, where he’d fired from earlier, he asked his sergeant for permission to shoot. After receiving permission, he shot twice at Correa, who staggered back to his bedroom and later died from his injuries.“Oakley Police Officers were advised they were responding to the scene of a reported domestic violence incident o...

Deadly force against Oakley man who threatened to kill girlfriend justified, DA rules

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:41 GMT

(KRON) -- An officer who used deadly force against an Oakley man who threatened to kill his girlfriend and shot at officers last year was justified in his actions, the Contra Costa County District Attorney said. The DA's report stems from an incident on Aug. 25, 2022 involving Frank Correa.It was reported, the DA's office said, that Correa was armed with a semi-automatic firearm and had threatened to kill his girlfriend at his residence. Correa's girlfriend managed to escape safely before police were contacted about the incident. ATM stolen from CVS after brazen smash and grab: video Oakley Police Department officers responded to the scene and attempted to de-escalate the situation for over two hours, the DA said. Correa fired seven shots at the responding officers.It was then that Oakley PD Sergeant Jeff Soloman authorized Officer Brett Jackson to use lethal force against Correa "to counter an imminent threat of death/great bodily injury," the DA's office said.A legal analysis o...

Mission District street vendors rally against ban

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:41 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Vendors who have been banned from selling in the Mission District rallied Friday, asking the city to let them continue to work at 24th and Mission streets. One of the vendors told KRON 4 he has lost so much income since the ban that he is now homeless.That vendor broke down in tears, saying he couldn’t make rent because of the ban that went into effect this month.The vendor, Luis Ledesma, says he is now forced to spend the holidays living in a shelter with his wife and 2-year-old child after the ban on street vending in the Mission District. On Friday, he joined the rally at 24th and Mission to call on San Francisco city leaders to continue to allow him to legally sell merchandise where he has done so for 20 years. ATM stolen from CVS after brazen smash and grab: video “These past few weeks have been terrible for me. Sales have dropped, and now I am living in a shelter through a program, and it’s all thanks to Hilary,” Ledesma said.Supervisor Hilary Ronen...

Burglars take 40+ iPhones from Berkeley Apple Store

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:41 GMT

(KRON) -- More than 40 iPhones were stolen from a Berkeley Apple Store on Thursday afternoon, the Berkeley Police Department confirmed. The burglary was reported to police at 12:42 p.m. Two or three suspects allegedly entered the store at 1823 Fourth St. wearing all black and took 40+ phones. Palo Alto mail carrier robbed by 2 men; $150,000 reward offered They drove off in a white SUV, going towards Highway 80, police said. As of Thursday, they had not been located. Berkeley police are investigating the burglary. It remains unknown whether the burglars were armed.

Maryland issues advisory on eating certain fish from local waterways

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:41 GMT

The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued an advisory about eating certain types of fish from local waterways over concerns about “forever chemicals.”The new advisory covers largemouth and smallmouth bass, sunfish, bluegill and white perch, according to the department.Officials say people do not need to avoid consuming these fish entirely, but should eat them in moderation.Recent testing examined the levels of PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances also known as forever chemicals, in fish found in Maryland waterways.“PFAS refers to a group of more than 4,000 human-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s in a range of products, including stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpeting, cleaning products, paints, cookware, food packaging and fire-fighting foams,” according to a news release.The testing did not prompt a warning to stop eating the fish completely, but officials cautioned that eating large amounts could increase the risk...