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In race to roll out broadband in Colorado, Bennet calls on local governments to tap into nearly $1B in federal funds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:50 GMT

LOVELAND — Big telecommunication companies should take a backseat to local governments, tribes and citizen groups when it comes to the nearly $1 billion in federal money to close the digital divide in Colorado, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet said Thursday.Bennet joined other Colorado officials in Loveland to celebrate the federal windfall aimed at bringing high-speed internet to about 190,000 Colorado homes currently without access. Gov. Jared Polis pledged to close that “digital divide” by 2027, thanks to the grant.But doing so will mean “a completely different way of approaching that matter,” Bennet said — meaning the state shouldn’t dole out the money to big telecommunication companies in the hopes they start laying fiber optic cable in the farthest-flung and hardest-to-serve communities.Previous federal efforts to expand broadband infrastructure, totaling $50 billion by Bennet’s estimation, were ”in reality subsidizing the biggest telecom companies in America not to build ...

Lawsuit claims Kanye West's school had dangerous wiring, no glass in windows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:50 GMT

A former teacher at Kanye West's private California Christian school, Donda Academy, filed a lawsuit Thursday against the rapper. Plaintiff Isaiah Meadows said the school had dangerous electrical wiring, no glass in the windows, and engaged in illegal retaliatory practices for any employees who reported safety and health violations. Meadows said he was fired in retaliation for reporting numerous safety issues, "including faulty electrical wiring in the school that once started a fire near where students eat," according to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The suit named defendants as Yeezy Christian Academy, Donda Academy, Kanye West, and school directors Brianne Cambell, Allison Tidwell and Chris Julian, among others.Donda Academy is an unaccredited Christian private school located in Simi Valley. It was founded in 2022 by Kanye West, who legally changed his name to Ye in 2021. Ye serves as the Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Chief Financial O...

Drake hit by phone during 1st show of It's All a Blur tour

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:50 GMT

"Hotline Bling" - more like hotline fling. Drake is the latest artist to be struck by an object thrown by a fan while performing on stage. This happened on Wednesday night during the rapper's first show of his It's All a Blur tour, which opened at the United Center in Chicago. Drake fans upset at Ticketmaster over ticket prices for the rapper’s It’s All A Blur Tour As the former "Degrassi" star sang a slowed-down version of Ginuwine's "So Anxious," a phone came flying from the crowd. It looked like Drake almost caught it, but it ended up hitting his hand and flying off the stage.Video of the incident was captured on social media. This odd practice by fans has been making headlines recently. Bebe Rexha had to get stitches after a fan chucked a phone at her face during a concert in New York City. Kelsea Ballerini was hit by what was believed to be a bracelet during a performance in Idaho. While she wasn't hurt, a fan tossed their dead mother's ashes to Pink during her performance a...

From Craft Markets to Global Recognition: The Inspiring Journey of Espiritu’s Co-Founders.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:50 GMT

Oscar Yapor and Francisco Alvarez of ESPIRITU (Courtesy)Have you ever wondered, what is behind your footwear of choice? In most cases, brands fail to make an impression in the fast-paced world of fashion, but every once in a while a new vision challenges the status quo, changing the creative landscape for the better.When friendship and entrepreneurship converge anything is possible; If you add cultural heritage, tireless work and unwavering determination, you have a winning recipe.For childhood friends Oscar Yapor and Francisco Alvarez, stumbling upon what would become one of the most impactful fashion trends of our generation was as effortless as their love for their country and their culture.“For most of our lives, we’ve dealt with similar adversities. We grew up together and somehow, we’ve continued to grow up together in similar situations. I think one of the obstacles we’ve faced was giving up our already successful careers to venture into something we knew absolutely nothing a...

‘Rapper’s Delight’ – Wonder Mike’s Genuine Rags to Riches Story

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:50 GMT

Originally published by the Village Voice.Rapper’s Delight: Michael Wright — better known as Wonder Mike, of the Sugarhill Gang — was working at a candy factory in New Jersey when he penned some of his first rhymes. With a strong aroma of jelly beans, chocolate-covered peanuts, toffee, and buttermilk wafting in the air, the Newark native’s inevitable sugar rush fueled his creativity, and for a moment he felt like anything was possible. Earlier that day, his cousin had introduced him to something called “hip-hop,” a cultural movement exploding in the Bronx.“It was May of ’79 when my cousin came up to me with a boombox,” he remembers. “I had never seen a boombox. I didn’t know what it was. It was just really big and it was blasting this thing called rap. It wasn’t anybody known really, just some bullshit guy. I was into hard rock at the time, so I thought, ‘Wow, this sucks.’”Undeterred by Mike’s dismissive reaction, his cousin — who went by the rap moniker Daddy Wright — encouraged hi...

Kebab joint opens in Livermore, closes Walnut Creek spot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:50 GMT

An East Bay-based collection of Mediterranean restaurants, Sultan’s Kebab, recently swapped a Walnut Creek location for a Livermore one. The new kebab shop opened on Livermore’s First Street in March, while the two-year-old Walnut Creek spot closed in June.Sultan’s Kebab, which also has locations in Pleasanton and Danville, offers gyros, shawarma and other Mediterranean dishes prepared daily, according to owner Fevzi Dinc. In Livermore, meals range from $9 to $20 per plate and include abundant sides, such as salad, rice, hummus and pita bread.“Our prices are pretty reasonable,” he says.Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | Dust Bowl Brewing opens in Livermore with barbecue and ‘smoothie beers’ Restaurants, Food and Drink | Chipotle’s Pizzeria Locale closing all locations, dissolving the business Restaurants, Food and Drink | 7 incredible Bay Area things to do this weekend Restaurants, Food and Drin...

Founding member of Bay Area rock act Journey dies at age 76

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:50 GMT

George Tickner, a founding member of the Bay Area Rock and Roll Hall of Fame act Journey, reportedly died on July 5.He was 76.Many fans learned about his death via social media postings from Journey guitarist Neal Schon.“RIP George you now fly with the Angels,” Schon wrote on Twitter.He also added on Facebook: “Rest peacefully, Dr. George Tickner … you will be missed immensely. Thank you for your incomparable contributions to Journey’s early years.”No cause of death has been given.RIP George you now fly with the Angels https://t.co/jOug74sJxD— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) July 5, 2023Tickner, a New York native, played rhythm guitar with the Journey from its start in 1973 through 1975. Prior to that, he was a member of the Bay Area psychedelic rock outfit Frumious Bandersnatch, which also included another future Journey star — Ross Valory.The guitarist was a key contributor to Journey’s self-titled major label debut, which ...

TheatreWorks director Tim Bond leaving post to lead Oregon Shakespeare Fest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:50 GMT

Tim Bond, who in 2020 became only the second artistic director in TheatreWorks Silicon Valley history, announced today, July 6, he is stepping down from the post to lead the famed Oregon Shakespeare Festival.The move is scheduled to take place later this month. Stepping in as interim TheatreWorks artistic director is Giovanna Sardelli, an award-winning stage director who’s been affiliated with the company for more than 15 years. She most recently had been the troupe’s artistic associate and director of new works.The move will reunite Bond with the 88-year-old Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, a company that draws theater fans and tourists from around the world. Bond worked there for 11 years as associate artistic director and, as he notes, “it is a place my family thinks of as home.”But Oregon Shakespeare, like many performing arts companies in the post-COVID landscape, is facing financial difficulties and an uncertain future. The company, citing poor t...

2 firefighters killed fighting blaze on boat at New Jersey port

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:50 GMT

Associated PressNEWARK, N.J. — Two firefighters were killed and five others injured battling a blaze that began deep inside a docked cargo ship carrying more than a thousand vehicles, officials said Thursday.Responding firefighters found five to seven vehicles already on fire when they reached the 10th floor of the cargo ship at Port Newark around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. The blaze quickly extended to the 11th and 12th floors, and as firefighters were pushed back by the intense heat, two of them were lost, Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson said at a news conference at the port, where the fire was still burning early Thursday.Firefighters weren’t initially able to find their colleagues. Outside rescue companies from around the state were called in. Augusto “Augie” Acabou, 45, and Wayne “Bear” Brooks Jr., 49, were found and removed from the structure but unfortunately they lost their lives, Jackson said.Three Newark firefighters and two Elizabeth firefigh...

Suspect wanted in fatal shooting of Oakland flower delivery person arrested in Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:14:50 GMT

OAKLAND — A man wanted in the killing of a flower delivery person in broad daylight last month has been found in Chicago and arrested, police said.Police had been searching for Eric Loc Elvira since the June 21 shooting that killed 27-year-old Matheus Gaidos, 27, of Daly City. The shooting happened about 6:30 p.m. in the 400 block of 26th Street near Telegraph Avenue, roughly one block away from Loc Elvira’s residence, police said.Police first identified him publicly June 27 as a person of interest in the case along with a woman. They subsequently issued an arrest warrant for him charging him with murder. Police said they identified the woman and that she no longer was wanted.In a statment, police said they found Loc Elvira with the help of the U.S. Marshal Service and that they took him into custody safely in Chicago.Loc Elvira was charged and the warrant issued after a former employer saw photos of the person of interest that police released to the media, and identifie...