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Opinion: Any logging of giant sequoia trees must pass environmental protections

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:34 GMT

“God has cared for these trees …but he cannot save them from fools.”— John MuirIn just two years, wildfire has killed an estimated 13% to 19% of all mature giant sequoia trees. These most massive of trees grow only on certain western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, the mountain range that divides California’s Central Valley farmland from the Great Basin Desert.The loss of so many “big trees,” as conservationist John Muir called them, is unprecedented.Many of the best-known stands of giant sequoias grow more than 6,000 feet above sea level in three national parks — Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite. A visit to these immense trees typically begins with a drive up from Fresno. From the valley floor, Highway 180 curves into foothills, then winds onto steep, tree-covered mountainsides where cooler temperatures and higher humidity take the edge off the California sun.The road passes through Kings Canyon National Park, where visitors get their first impression of the big trees. A...

Racial missteps come under fire in diverse Denver mayor’s race: “We need to expect more.”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:34 GMT

Campaign flyers that promote a white candidate with racially charged language. A TV ad that includes video of mostly Latino or Black people who are homeless, fighting or engaged in crime. News stories that focus on the alleged mistreatment of legislative staff by a candidate who’s a Black woman — but don’t scrutinize other candidates’ reputations as bosses.All of these have fueled recent flashpoints over race and gender as a historically large, and notably diverse, field of candidates campaign to be Denver’s next mayor in the April 4 election.Disputes over campaign tactics have put two white candidates — Mike Johnston and Chris Hansen — on the defensive. And a group of 25 Black elected officials and community leaders endorsed a statement March 8 that condemned media portrayals of Black candidates, messages promoted by some campaigns, and the exclusion of lower-funded candidates from debates and forums as organizers have sought to narrow the ...

Judge throws out state air permit issued to Commerce City company without proper review of pollution

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:34 GMT

A district judge in Adams County threw out a tanker-truck repair company’s state-issued air permit after two environmental groups argued it had been granted by Colorado regulators without a scientific review to find out just how much pollution would be emitted.The Center for Biological Diversity and North Range Concerned Citizens in November filed a lawsuit over the air permit issued to Polar Service Centers in Commerce City. On Thursday, Judge Teri Lynn Vasquez agreed the permit application was not properly vetted and vacated the permit, according to an order filed in Adams County District Court.Robert Ukeiley, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, said the permit caught his organization’s eye after it was granted in October because of the company’s location near residential housing and a middle school in a neighborhood that already suffers through a disproportionate amount of air pollution.Ukeiley said his group believed Polar Service Centers’...

Colorado Girl Scouts open “DreamLab,” a national model for the organization

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:34 GMT

There’s a lot more to Girl Scouts than cookies. There’s outdoor adventure, STEM projects, robotics, producing podcasts and building lasting friendships.And now there’s also DreamLab. Girl Scouts of Colorado held a grand opening this month for a first-of-its-kind concept that will be a model for Girl Scouts across the country. The 4,000-square-foot center in Denver’s Lowry neighborhood is a showcase for the organization’s programs and a gathering place for Scout troops, employees and families and girls who want to learn more about Scouts.About 1,000 people turned out for the opening March 12, which coincided with the 111th anniversary of Girl Scouts. The location in the growing residential and shopping area along Quebec Street was picked because of its high visibility and diverse population, said Girl Scouts of Colorado CEO Leanna Clark.“About 17% of our membership is within 10 miles of DreamLab and we have access to 80,000 girls who are Girl Scout...

Colorado ski resorts expecting fresh snow every day this week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:34 GMT

Spring may have sprung at 3:23 p.m. on Monday, but another amazing snowfall week is predicted for Colorado ski resorts, especially those in the southern part of the state.The high country will be in the grip of a seven-day snow cycle through Sunday, according to Joel Gratz, founding meteorologist at OpenSnow, a forecasting and reporting service that focuses on mountain weather. Wolf Creek, which historically gets the most snow in Colorado, is predicted to receive another 59 inches through Friday. And that’s on top of a 161-inch base depth, a season snowpack that is 49% above normal.Purgatory can expect 40 inches, Silverton 35 inches. Five resorts — Telluride, Crested Butte, Powderhorn, Steamboat and Sunlight can expect 20-30 inches, while Snowmass, Beaver Creek, Aspen Highlands and Vail are looking at 16-19 inches.. Nine other areas are expected to receive double-digit totals.“The first round of snow will be Monday to Tuesday morning, the second round of snow will ...

Mother-son duo behind Tavern restaurants battle in court over $8M

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:34 GMT

Denver restaurateur Frank Schultz has been sued by the co-owner of his various businesses, accused of pilfering hundreds of thousands of dollars from their companies, cutting his partner out of real estate deals that she financed, and owing her at least $7.75 million.That co-owner is also his mother.“I’m disappointed that Ms. Papay, my mother, has made a years-long family dispute open to the public,” Schultz told BusinessDen. “Her lawsuit mischaracterizes the facts and omits key information.”Terry Papay, who will turn 70 next month, and her husband Albert sued Schultz on March 15 in Denver District Court. Also listed as plaintiffs are nine companies representing the family’s considerable restaurant and real estate holdings in Denver and the south metro.Since 1997, when they turned a warehouse at 20th and Market into The Soiled Dove music venue, the Papays and Schultz have operated Tavern Hospitality Group. It later included restaurants and venues in Uptown, Lowry, Littleton and the ...

Another storm hits Southern California with heavy rain; street flooding reported

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:34 GMT

Heavy rain fell across metropolitan Los Angeles Tuesday morning as the first major storm of the spring hit Southern California - on the first full day of spring. This latest storm is forecast to bring several inches of rain, mountain snow, and potentially damaging wind gusts through Wednesday.The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for a wide swath of Southern California from the Mexico border to San Luis Obispo County and the southern half of California’s Central Valley. Winter storm warnings have been issued for mountains in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.NWS is forecasting one to three inches of rain for coastal areas and valleys through Wednesday with 3-6” possible in the lower mountains and foothills.Flooding on the 101 Freeway South at the 5 Freeway. March 21, 2023. (KTLA)“Snow levels will be particularly low, starting at 6,000 feet but dropping to 3,500 to 4,000 feet by Wednesday morning,” said KTLA weather anchor Kacey Montoya.Peak wind gusts will range ...

LAUSD strike begins, closing schools for more than a half-million students

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:34 GMT

Despite last-minute negotiations that went into the evening Monday, the Los Angeles Unified School District was unable to come to agreement with the union representing thousands of its employees to avert a work stoppage.On Tuesday morning, the LAUSD strike began, shutting down hundreds of schools and creating hardships for hundreds of thousands of parents.Demonstrators could be seen picketing under the rain as early as 5:30 a.m. in Van Nuys, video showed.The strike had been in the works for several weeks, and union reps identified Tuesday as the first day of what is tentatively planned to be a three-day stoppage.The strike includes the support of as many as 60,000 employees of the school district who are members of both the Local 99 of Service Employees International Union and United Teachers Los Angeles.The unions represent both educators and school district employees, including bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers and teaching aids. LAUSD superintendent: Strike talks stall...

Couple ambushed by armed robber in Koreatown: Video

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:34 GMT

Surveillance video captured the moments a couple out on a date in Koreatown last week were robbed by a man with a semi-automatic handgun, and police believe the suspect may have committed at least one other armed robbery in the area. The incident happened around 10 p.m. on Mar. 15 outside Jaragua, a Salvadoran restaurant in the 4400 block of Beverly Boulevard.  Video shows the couple complying and dropping to the ground, while the armed suspect takes their money, debit cards, cellphones and a designer handbag.  “Obviously they were scared, traumatized, can’t walk in the neighborhood,” the owner of Jaragua told KTLA.  The restaurant owner did not want to appear on camera out of concern for his safety.  “I tried to get the word out to the employees because that's why I'm here. I'm going to walk them out when they get into their car. And this morning, they're kind of scared to walk by themselves, even in the parking lot,” he said.   Larchmont Village residents, busines...

LAUSD Strike: Resources for students, parents available

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:34 GMT

Union employees in the Los Angeles Unified School District started a three-day strike over wages Tuesday, forcing the closure of hundreds of schools and impacting hundreds of thousands of families.The school district and Los Angeles County have announced multiple resources to help parents.LAUSD ResourcesStudent Supervision: Free student supervision will be provided at select elementary, middle and high schools from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the three-day strike period. A complete list of the schools offering can be found here.Meal Pickup: Families can also pick up meals for students at Grab & Go locations on Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The district will give out six meals per student to cover breakfast and lunch over the next three days.Other Resources: LAUSD parents can check the district website for real-time updates on the strike and learn about more available resources.Los Angeles CountyAfter-School Programs:  Mayor Karen Bass announced Tuesday that she authorize...