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Denver to pay $4.7 million to protesters in largest settlement stemming from 2020 demonstrations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:17 GMT

The Denver City Council is expected to approve a $4.7 million settlement Monday to compensate protesters for the Denver Police Department’s response to the racial justice demonstrations in the summer of 2020.The payment stems from a class-action claim over the arrests of protesters mostly for curfew violations. It is poised to be the largest settlement to date in a series of cases related to law enforcement officers’ actions in Denver during protests motivated by the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.A resolution approving the proposed settlement is on the agenda for the council’s 3:30 p.m. meeting.The class-action claim was lodged in a set of cases that separately led to a federal jury last year awarding $14 million to 12 protesters for excessive force. The jury found officers violated the civil rights of demonstrators who were hit by pepper balls and a bag filled with lead.The verdict and portions of that lawsuit, which include now-state Rep. Elisabeth...

Denver Broncos fans prefer to date other Broncos fans, survey finds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:17 GMT

When it comes to dating, folks in the Mile High football fan club say it’s Broncos or bust.That’s according to “The Grueling Truth” podcast, which recently surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. adults to gauge how important it is that romantic partners root for the same sports teams.The results show that Denver Broncos fans are among the most passionate with 30% saying they’d prefer their partner cheer for the same team. They tied for 5th place with fans of the Atlanta Falcons on that sentiment. The only fans more insistent on being a one-team household belong to the Arizona Cardinals (67%), the Los Angeles Chargers (46%), the Las Vegas Raiders (38%) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (35%).Overall, 44% of respondents said they’d choose to watch a crucial game over a romantic date night with a partner. And 10% said supporting a different team was a potential dealbreaker in a relationship. (We can only hope that plays out in the locally-filmed season of “Love is Blind.”)Related Ar...

Inspector General’s Office investigating in-custody death in Limon Correctional Facility

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:17 GMT

One of the people in custody at the state’s prison in Limon has died, according to the Colorado Department of Corrections.The CDOC Inspector General’s Office is investigating the death, but the agency has refused to release any further information about the incident at Limon Correctional Facility.Spokesperson Alondra Gonzalez-Garcia said the agency could not provide any details until the investigation has concluded. Gonzalez-Garcia did not respond to questions about when the death occurred or if the facility is under lockdown.A post on the CDOC’s website dated Aug. 17 states that visitation at the Limon facility has been canceled and that the facility would update when visitation could resume. It’s unclear if the cancellation is tied to the same incident.The CDOC directed questions about the cause and manner of death to the Lincoln County Coroner’s Office. The Denver Post has reached out and will update this story with any response.

Ridley-Thomas sentenced to 42 months on corruption charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:17 GMT

Former Los Angeles County Supervisor and City Council Member Mark Ridley-Thomas was sentenced to three and a half years in prison on Monday after being convicted on corruption charges. He must report to prison on Nov. 13. His sentence also includes three years of supervised release and a $30,000 fine.In March, Ridley-Thomas, 68, was convicted of seven corruption charges, among them bribery, fraud and conspiracy.Ridley-Thomas and Marilyn Louise Flynn, the former dean of USC’s School of Social Work, worked together to funnel $100,000 from a campaign fund through the school and ultimately to a nonprofit run by Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, the former supervisor's son.In exchange, USC received a "lucrative county contract," according to prosecutors. Flynn pleaded guilty to bribery last year, and she was sentenced to three years of probation, the Los Angeles Times reports.Ridley-Thomas, a longtime fixture in local and state politics, has been harshly criticized by prosecutors.Ridley-Thomas “d...

Sorry It’s Over Dominates with Original Sound and Songwriting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:17 GMT

Sorry It’s Over is a pop and alternative concept band formed by Louis Petrella. His authentic SoCal vibe and original style have quickly propelled him to the limelight as the rising artist to look out for.Having reached over 500,000 streams on Spotify, it is clear to see that Sorry It’s Over is rapidly growing its fan base. Listeners particularly enjoy the band’s masterful mix of classic and modern rock.  Louis draws heavily from an eclectic source of inspiration, resulting in an original sound. Hailing from Encinitas his music reflects that “good time” vibe.  Before establishing Sorry It’s Over, Louis moved to Santa Barbara and stayed there for a few years. He DJ’d all the Isla Vista Parties and recorded some original EDM songs that he was able to sell  to other artists .Upon his return home to Encinitas , he decided to get back to his roots and start a rock band. He has been playing guitar since the age of 8 when he got into his older sister’s Green Day records and then taught him...

Book Review: Musician and poet Chris Forrest publishes bracing debut work of poetry, Destination Nowhere

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:17 GMT

 The first poetry collection from Chris Forrest is filled with insightful musings on what it means to be human Accomplished musician and writer Chris Forrest, aka Exetera, has released his debut poetry collection, Destination Nowhere.The collection accompanies Chris’ third music project, Connected Disconnection, which is being released in November. Combined, these projects go to showcase Chris’ versatility across different mediums.Chris` journey to becoming a successful artist has been fraught with obstacles, which molded him into the person he is today. Against the backdrop of a turbulent childhood, Chris developed a love for reading at the age of 7. He began writing poetry to deal with emotional and physical trauma, pouring his heart into a Goosebumps journal he had as a kid.From this, he spent his teenage years turning unadorned ramblings into competent verses of poetry. In high school, late-night conversations and adventures with friends gave him the confidence to share his poem...

From Stigma to Self-Expression: How Herbarium is Leading the Cannabis Culture Shif

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:17 GMT

The world is on the path of a remarkable transformation, with perspectives on cannabis undergoing a metamorphosis unlike any other in history. Gone are the days when whispers of cannabis elicited hushed voices and sidelong glances. Today, it is a symbol of a vivacious and holistic way of life, shedding its once-forbidden cloak and emerging as a symbol of wellness, creativity, and togetherness.Herbarium: More Than a BrandEnter Herbarium. This isn’t just another brand in the ever-growing cannabis industry; this is a movement, an ethos, a lifestyle. Herbarium doesn’t just sell cannabis; it embodies the profound shift in how the world perceives this plant. It’s about crafting an experience that resonates with a generation yearning for authenticity, community, and a touch of nature’s magic.The idea behind the founding of Herbarium is that cannabis is an essential and healthy component of life. Open-minded curiosity about cannabis is something we promote. To promote inno...

Alec Celestin on Startup Powerhouses, Influencers, & Artists

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:17 GMT

At the intersection of artistry and entrepreneurialism lies the unique talent of Alec Celestin, founder of the Nofhotos Group. This Gen Z crossover who aspires to be a combination of the legendary fashion designer/entrepreneur Virgil Abloh and the tech visionary Elon Musk, has rapidly made his presence known among both the entertainment and tech industries.With a flair for capturing mesmerizing visuals and an innate understanding of brand strategy, Celestin has carved a niche for himself within the world of start-ups. Alec’s dual expertise in both arts and business further adds a unique strategic lens that differentiates him from other entrepreneurs.Alec explains, “Many artists grapple with business nuances, and many business minds are lost in the art realm. My role is often to bridge these two worlds seamlessly.”The result? A clientele that includes entertainment startups like Flighthouse, Afterparty, and Fanfix as well as collaborations with chart-topping music icons l...

Jose Aguilera Killed, Melecio Hernandez-Ayala Arrested after Hit-and-Run Crash on Englehart Avenue [Fresno, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:17 GMT

Hit-and-Run Collision Left Jose Aguilar Dead, Suspect ArrestedFRESNO, CA (August 28, 2023) – Wednesday morning, Jose Aguilera was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Englehart Avenue.The incident occurred on August 23rd, at around 10:30 a.m., near 10535 Englehart Avenue.Per reports, Melecio Hernandez-Ayala, 40, who works for Foster Farms via a short-term agency, got into a business van with no authorization and drove around the site on Englehart Avenue in Reedley.During that drive, he allegedly hit another employee, Jose Aguilera, 25, who was walking.Ayala drove away from the property, northbound on Englehart Avenue, without pausing to offer aid or report what had occurred.Medics arrived and pronounced the victim, Aguilera, dead at the scene.Meanwhile, authorities located and arrested Ayala. He was charged with felony hit and run and theft of a vehicle.No other information was disclosed by deputies, and the crash is still under investigation.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorr...

Feds charge Hayward man who they claim was driving Cadillac in this iconic Bay Area sideshow photo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:17 GMT

OAKLAND — Federal prosecutors say they have identified the man who was driving a Cadillac in what became an iconic photograph of a Bay Area sideshow, depicting a young woman hanging out the window of the moving vehicle with a mini AK-47 in her hands.In a recent court filing, prosecutors identified the driver as 26-year-old Christopher Gonzalez-Nunez, a Hayward with alleged ties to a Norteño subset, and said the woman in the picture was Gonzalez-Nunez’s “significant other,” who is not mentioned by name. The longtime Bay Area mystery was solved thanks to Instagram users, according to authorities.“Not only does the car match a vehicle that Gonzalez-Nunez owned at the time, but Instagram users ‘tagged’ him in photos from the incident and mentioned him by name,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Leif Dautch wrote in a legal motion. “Perhaps most tellingly, Gonzalez-Nunez posted a photo on his Instagram account of what appears to be him wearing ...