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L.A. man sentenced for using illegally obtained COVID-19 loans to fund gambling trips, expensive purchases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:03 GMT

A man from West Los Angeles has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining millions in COVID-19 business loans, which he used on extravagant purchases and gambling trips to Las Vegas.Andrew Marnell, 43, was sentenced to prison Monday after pleading guilty in September 2021 to one count of bank fraud and one count of money laundering.Marnell applied for loans through two federal programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program, which was created by congress to help businesses that were struggling financially due to the coronavirus pandemic."Marnell’s bogus loan applications contained numerous false and misleading statements about his shell companies’ business operations and payroll expenses," a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice reads. "Marnell, often using aliases, submitted fake and altered documents to obtain the small business loans, including bogus federal tax filings and employee payroll records."He used those ill-gotten ...

Shane Lee Gibson Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Bellflower Boulevard [Long Beach, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:03 GMT

49-Year-Old Motorcyclist Dies after a Collision with Wrong-Way Driver near Anaheim RoadLONG BEACH, CA (July 10, 2023) – Thursday afternoon, a wrong-way motorcycle vs. vehicle collision on Bellflower Boulevard killed Shane Lee Gibson.The incident happened on June 22nd, at about 3:30 p.m., at Bellflower Boulevard, just south of Anaheim Road.According to reports, 2015 Honda Civic driven by a 60-year-old Cypress woman and a 2019 Honda CBR600 motorcycle driven by 49-year-old Gibson collidedUpon investigation, the officers have discovered that the Civic was headed north on Bellflower, when she veered to the southbound lanes for unknown reasons. While in the southbound lanes, the Civic collided with Gibson. The impact of the collision caused Gibson to be ejected from the motorcycle.First responders to the site of the collision attempted life-saving measures on the rider, but they were unsuccessful. Officials pronounced Shane Lee Gibson dead at the scene.Meanwhile, the woman suffered ...

Child Hospitalized Following Car Accident on Donovan Road [Santa Maria, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:03 GMT

Vehicle Crash on Donovan Road near Pepperwood Place Left 1 Juvenile with InjuriesSANTA MARIA, CA (July 10, 2023) – Tuesday morning, a car accident on Donovan Road sent one juvenile to the hospital with injuries.The incident happened at around 5:30 a.m., July 4th, near Pepperwood Place.California Highway Patrol responded at the intersection and discovered a vehicle with significant damage, occupied by a juvenile passenger with injuries. The cause of the collision remains unknown.Paramedics then transported the juvenile to a nearby hospital for treatment. At this time, the name and current condition of the victim are withheld until their next of kin is notified.Moreover, a large portion of the roadway was temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties but has since been reopened.Santa Maria Police continue to investigate the accident on Donovan Road and will release additional info once available.One small driving mistake can lead to a car accident. This is wh...

Trailblazing Ms. World 2023: Empowering Women Across the Globe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:03 GMT

In the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, a pioneering beauty pageant is set to take center stage in December at the iconic Caesars Palace Hotel. The international pageant, Ms. World 2023, led by former Miss New York and renowned model, Melisa Gun, is challenging conventional beauty norms by celebrating successful women of varying ages and backgrounds.A Celebration of Success at Every AgeWith unique age categories such as Miss (18-25), Millennial (26-35), Mrs (successful married women), Premier (36-45), and Classic (46-50), the pageant embraces the beauty and achievement of women at all stages of life. It is not just a contest; it’s a platform to showcase the extraordinary achievements and diversity of women across the globe.Ms. World 2023 is not solely about physical beauty; it places a strong emphasis on a woman’s accomplishments, capabilities, and societal contributions. The competition seeks to honor women who have proven their worth in their respective fields and are m...

Bridging the Gap: How Andre Zakhya Blends Architecture and Animation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:03 GMT

In the expansive realm of entertainment, a cohort of individuals wields an extraordinary talent for breathing life into creativity. The artistic mastery of some artists can be channeled into the creation of architectural wonders, while the creative ability of others can be applied to the creation of heartfelt animations. Amongst these gifted creators is Andre Zakhya, a masterful 3D artist and animator who seamlessly combines these disciplines to create visually stunning and captivating experiences. With his strong foundation in architecture and unwavering passion for storytelling, Andre emerges as a trailblazer, bringing a new perspective to the industry. Collaborating with renowned entities such as HBO, Blackpink, Nicki Minaj, Lil Nas X, Riot Games, and Apple TV, Andre has showcased his extraordinary talents and expanded the boundaries of artistic expression. By working alongside these esteemed collaborators, he has further cemented his status as an influential figure in the realm ...

Gordeon Expands Digital Payment Solutions Across Europe, Revolutionizing the Continent’s Financial Landscape

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:03 GMT

Gordeon, a driving force in digital financial solutions, is excited to announce its pivotal expansion to 15 new markets across Europe, including Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and the UK. With this strategic move, Gordeon further cements its position as a champion for businesses seeking secure, efficient, and customizable transaction platforms.From online marketplaces bustling with diverse user needs to global retail chains striving to simplify theirdigital payment process, Gordeon’s platform ensures businesses have control over their digital financiallandscape.Gordeon’s EMEA Business Lead expresses: “Europe’s online payment journey has seen its share of roadblocks and complexities. With our groundbreaking technology, Gordeon aims to turn these challenges into opportunities. We streamline the convoluted, and what used to take weeks of setup is now reduced to jus...

SF Giants’ top pick Bryce Eldridge on being labeled American Shohei: `I want to be my own version’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:03 GMT

No need for Bryce Eldridge to use his scholarship offer to play baseball at Alabama as leverage for a contract with the Giants.After being selected with the No. 16 pick in the first round Sunday night to pursue his dream of being a two-way player in the big leagues, Eldridge made it clear Monday he’d bypass his college commitment.“I will be signing,” Eldridge said in a teleconference with Bay Area media. “I had two good options and I’m blessed to be where I’m at right now.”Eldridge, 18, is a 6-foot-8, 223-pound first baseman/outfielder and pitcher from James Madison High in Vienna, Va. with prodigious power in both areas. Throws right, bats left. Kind of like, well, you know, Shohei Ohtani, who checks in at 6-4, 209 and has lit up major league baseball in both areas since he arrived from Japan in 2018.Dubbed “American Shohei” or “American Ohtani” in some quarters, Eldridge isn’t shying away from the comparison.&...

Sen. Tuberville’s blockade leaves USMC without a commander

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:03 GMT

By Haley Britzky | CNNA major branch of the US military does not have a Senate confirmed leader for the first time in more than a century, as a result of a Republican senator refusing to lift his block on military nominations.Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger relinquished command on Monday after holding a private retirement ceremony, after more than 40 years of service. His successor, Gen. Eric Smith, has not yet been confirmed to take over due to the hold on senior military nominations by Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville.Speaking at Berger’s relinquishment of command ceremony on Monday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made a point to mention the hold and its impact on “stable and orderly leadership transitions,” and military families.“We have a sacred duty to do right by those who volunteer to wear the cloth of our nation,” Austin said. “And I remain confident that all Americans can come together to agree on that basic obligation to those who keep us safe. I am also conf...

Opinion: Why forcing people with addiction into treatment won’t work

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:03 GMT

As doctors treating addiction everyday in the Bay Area, we care for patients who have to fight not only a ruthless disease but also a medical system that is inadequately equipped to help them. California Senate Bill 43, by expanding the definition of grave disability to people with substance-use disorder without providing any new resources or funding, will not help our patients.Consider Tim (not his real name), a polite and soft-spoken 28-year-old who came to the clinic after his first overdose in 2022. We quickly got him started on buprenorphine, a medication for opioid use disorder that is proven to save lives. Tim maintained sobriety for a few months prior to relapsing and then continued to seek help in urgent cares and hospitals. Sometimes he would be restarted on buprenorphine, but he was often discharged without medication or without further follow-up. Tragically, after many missed opportunities for treatment, he passed away last spring from a fentanyl overdose.Tim’s problem w...

Newsom signs budget with bills to streamline environmental approval for clean energy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:03 GMT

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed off on the state’s $311 billion budget Monday along with a package of what he called California’s most ambitious environmental review reforms in half a century to speed approval of clean energy projects.The governor, expected to be a future White House contestant, touted the 2023-2024 budget for the fiscal year that began this month as a model of Democratic financial stewardship, noting it built reserves and closed a nearly $32 billion shortfall.“We’ve proven a paradigm: You don’t have to be profligate to be progressive,” Newsom said.A key part of that budget was a package of bills aimed at streamlining permitting and project reviews for clean energy and other infrastructure construction that the governor bargained with lawmakers for in finalizing the state budget last month. The governor has said it will cut project timelines by three years or more while creating thousands of jobs.The infrastructure legislation builds on ...