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Should you get pet insurance for a furry friend?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

If, like me, you're a pet owner, you've probably already decided you'll do whatever it takes to keep your furry friend happy and healthy.Even so, I was surprised to see a recent report from Consumer Affairs showing that 78% of pet owners would consider going into debt to cover a pet emergency.Forty-three percent of survey respondents said they'd definitely run up debt if their critter required care, while another 35% said that might go down that road.Younger people are the most open to running up a pet-related credit card balance, with more than half of Millennials saying they wouldn't hesitate, and an additional 26% saying it's a possibility."There are a number of factors that go into the price of emergency veterinary care: the urgency and severity of the illness or injury, the extent of investigation needed, the intensity of treatments required, and whether a case is medical or surgical, to name a few," Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, a veterinary medical advisor, told Consumer Reports.Wi...

Invasive hornet species found in the U.S. for the first time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

Bee enthusiasts may be surprised to hear that a new threat has arrived in the U.S. — yellow-legged hornets. On Aug. 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed that a non-native hornet species, a yellow-legged hornet, was seen in Georgia for the first time after being spotted on a Savannah property by a local beekeeper. According to officials, this is the country's first sighting of a live yellow-legged hornet. Don’t be mesmerized – you should kill this dazzling bug Yellow-legged hornets are native to tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia and have become established in most of Europe as well as parts of the Middle East. While they look similar to other native species of hornets and bees, their legs are partially or primarily yellow. Their body and head coloration can vary, however, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.One of the biggest issues with this insect is that it constructs large, egg-shaped paper ne...

One Hospitalized after Trailer Crash on Interstate 90 [Kittitas County, WA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

U-Haul Truck Accident on Interstate 90 Left One HurtKITTITAS COUNTY, WA (August 16, 2023) – On Friday, a crash on Interstate 90 left one person hospitalized, police said.According to the Washington State Patrol, a vehicle was towing a U-Haul when it suddenly broke free in the eastbound lanes.Furthermore, the trailer struck a vehicle traveling eastbound. The vehicle ended up hitting a wall divider.Consequently, the driver of the involved vehicle suffered injuries to an unknown extent, and he was taken to Harborview Hospital. However, his current condition is unknown.Meanwhile, the officers blocked all eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 but reports said that it has reopened since.Kittitas County Officials will release additional information as it becomes available to the public.Like other truck accidents, unsecured cargo, and lost load can cause death, serious injury, and/or property damage. While the truck driver must inspect the load to ensure it is adequately secured and safe t...

Off-Duty L.A. Deputy Fatally Shot By Police At Fontana Golf Course

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

An off-duty deputy for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) was fatally shot by Fontana PD at a local golf course, Tuesday.The incident occurred at Sierra Lakes Golf Club after Fontana PD responded to a call for shots fired.Well that escalated quickly… From the news report: “Fontana, California.— The suspect had shot at a wall near a house before heading toward the golf club with two guns where he was shot by PD. He was transported with serious injuries to the hospital.”#police… pic.twitter.com/q8iL98nHyJ— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) August 16, 2023The deputy, identified as 45-year-old Alejandro Diaz, was allegedly armed and fired shots at the course. Diaz was treated on-scene after the shooting, then transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.The “lethal force encounter,” as San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department described it, is being investigated by its Specialized Investigations Division, in collaboration with LASD and Fon...

1 Killed in Fiery Single-Vehicle Accident on Southeast Petrovitsky Road [Renton, WA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

One Pronounced Dead after Fiery Auto Collision near 126th AvenueRENTON, WA (August 16, 2023) – Early Saturday morning, one victim was killed in a fiery single-car accident on Southeast Petrovitsky Road.Authorities responded to the scene around 12:30 a.m., near 126th Avenue on August 5th.Following preliminary duties, officers suspect that the driver of a 2010 Mercedes struck a curb and veered off the road. The vehicle then became engulfed in flames.Due to the extent of injuries sustained, medics pronounced one occupant inside the Mercedes dead at the scene. Although, police have not yet released their identity.Emergency crews closed off the surrounding area for a brief time during cleanup and preliminary duties. Those with further information regarding the accident on Southeast Petrovitsky Road are encouraged to contact local authorities as soon as possible.The team at Sweet James sends out their heartfelt sympathies to the friends and family of the deceased victim who are grie...

Two Killed, Four Injured in Head-On Crash on Avenue E [Lancaster, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

Car Collision near 60th Street East Left Two FatalitiesLANCASTER, CA (August 16, 2023) – Sunday afternoon, a head-on crash on Avenue E left two people dead and four other people hospitalized.The deadly collision occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Avenue E and 60th Street East.According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, a Dodge Charger collided with a Chevrolet Silverado for unknown reasons. Video footage from the scene showed a heavily damaged dark-colored sedan, a light-colored vehicle, and a flipped pickup truck.Unfortunately, the first responders declared the two drivers dead at the scene. Meanwhile, two other people were in critical condition, and two others suffered minor injuries.Medical personnel transported all surviving patients to Antelope Valley Medical Center for treatment. At this time, the identities of those involved in the crash have not been disclosed to the public.The Sheriff’s Lancaster station is leading the investigation. Authorities temporarily closed...

Man Fatally Struck in Pedestrian Collision on Interstate 880 [Oakland, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

Male Pedestrian Pronounced Dead after Fatal Crash near 29th AvenueOAKLAND, CA (August 16, 2023) – Sunday night, one man was fatally struck in a pedestrian collision on Interstate 880.The incident occurred around 11:13 p.m., on the southbound lanes of the freeway just north of 29th Avenue.Investigators say the driver of a gray Honda Civic struck a pedestrian in the No.2 lane who was attempting to run across the freeway from the south shoulder.First responders located the unconscious man lying on the road upon arrival. Paramedics transported him to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries around 12:12 a.m.Meanwhile, the involved driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. Authorities do not believe impairment played a factor and they have not yet released the identities of those involved.The California Highway Patrol closed the southbound lanes of Interstate 880 lanes for a brief time as crews cleared the scene. Once available, further d...

49ers’ QB chronicles: Purdy’s picks continue, Lance takes a national beating

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

SANTA CLARA — It’s about the midway point of practice Wednesday, and quarterback Brock Purdy has his hands on his helmet in disbelief.Linebacker Curtis Robinson has just intercepted a pass — one of two Purdy would throw during the session — and the defense is having itself a grand old time in celebration.It’s been a near-daily occurrence for Purdy, who later had a pass stolen in the end zone by safety Tashaun Gipson on a ball deflected by Deommdore Lenoir. At least two other passes were batted into the air, one by Fred Warner, and fell harmlessly to the ground when they could have been deflected turnovers.If Purdy has been catching heat for his practice performances since returning from elbow surgery, Trey Lance is catching it on a national scale for his early struggles in a 34-7 exhibition loss to the Raiders.The 49er’ former No. 3 overall pick is getting crushed on social media and was put on blast by former NFL exec (and 49ers employee) Mike Lo...

Oakland city attorney Barbara Parker won’t run for re-election

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

OAKLAND — Barbara Parker, who a decade ago became the first and only Black woman to hold citywide office in Oakland, will not seek re-election as the city attorney.Parker was appointed as Oakland’s top lawyer in 2011, following 20 years working in the office; she later won election three times, most recently receiving 80% support from voters in 2020.In a statement, Parker’s representatives cited as her “crowning achievement” the establishment of a new division in the office that pursues matters of public interest, including housing justice, civil rights and environmental work.The division’s work includes protecting immigrants from predatory forces, targeting removal of toxic paint and shutting down hubs around the city — including illegal massage parlors and hotels — where human trafficking takes place.“Throughout my tenure, I have been guided by my commitment to maintain the integrity and enhance the diversity of the Office, to ...

Appeals court upholds some abortion drug restrictions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

By Kevin McGill | Associated PressNEW ORLEANS — New restrictions on access to a drug used in the most common form of abortion in the U.S. would be imposed under a federal appeals court ruling issued Wednesday, but the Supreme Court will have the final say.The decision by three judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans overturned part of a lower court ruling that would have revoked the Food and Drug Administration’s 23-year-old approval of mifepristone. But it left intact part of the ruling that would end the availability of the drug by mail, allow it to be used through only the seventh week of pregnancy rather than the 10th, and require that it be administered in the presence of a physician.Even those restrictions won’t take effect right away, because the Supreme Court previously intervened to keep the drug available during the legal fight.“We are very pleased with the 5th Circuit decision,” Erin Hawley, an attorney for the Alliance Defen...