Douglas County OKs property tax relief; state review required

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:05:20 GMT

Douglas County OKs property tax relief; state review required Douglas County leaders have approved a plan to reduce property values by about $4 billion in a push to help residents hammered by soaring taxes but the plan still requires state review.The county commissioners voted unanimously this week to implement the adjustment in 2023 home value assessments — the first effort by a metro Denver county to address Colorado’s anticipated property tax surge.The new valuations will save residents of Douglas County an average of $223 on their January tax bills, officials said, but also mean $28 million less in funds for the county government.Commissioner Abe Laydon linked the decision to county opposition to Proposition HH.  That statewide measure, which goes to voters this fall, would allow property owners to deduct $50,000 from their property’s value while increasing how much the state can keep under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.“We listen to our citizens, and in this economy, where every dollar is stretched, any relief is going to be signifi...

Opinion: Colorado’s big cats are not trophies and they shouldn’t be for sale

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:05:20 GMT

Opinion: Colorado’s big cats are not trophies and they shouldn’t be for sale This week, a diverse statewide coalition — Cats Aren’t Trophies (CATs) — initiated a Colorado ballot measure to end trophy hunting mountain lions, along with fur trapping bobcats. As members of CATs, we aim to introduce the campaign and explain why all Coloradans should support us to qualify this measure for the fall 2024 ballot.Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office say this photo shows Patrick Montgomery holding the mountain lion he killed on March 31. Montgomery had been released pending charges for his involvement in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol but because the hunt violated the terms of his release, he was placed on 24/7 house arrest. (Photo provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.)Come November, mountain lion trophy hunting will be afoot in Colorado. Like each year before, trophy hunts will claim as many as 500 lions, with most of the animals shot from trees after being relentlessly chased by packs of dogs fitted with sophisticated radio telemetry equipm...

Broncos scouting report: How Denver matches up against Dolphins and predictions

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:05:20 GMT

Broncos scouting report: How Denver matches up against Dolphins and predictions Broncos (0-2) at Dolphins (2-0)When: 11 a.m. MT, SundayWhere: Hard Rock StadiumRadio/TV: 850 AM, 94.1 FM/CBSBroncos-Dolphins series: The Broncos are 6-12-1 in 20 regular-season games dating back to 1966; the Broncos won 20-13 in the last meeting, on Nov. 20, 2020, and have won three of the last four matchups.In the SpotlightIt was the second quarter of the Miami Dolphins’ season-opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. Miami’s offense faced a first-and-10 from its 23-yard line when star wide receiver Tyreek Hill squatted at the line of scrimmage. Just before the ball was snapped, Hill motioned out before cutting across the middle to make a 29-yard reception.Through two weeks, the Dolphins have lined Hill up in unorthodox spots in their offensive formations. The 7-time Pro Bowler was already a threat with his cheetah-like speed. But this will make it even harder for the Broncos to defend him on Sunday afternoon.“It puts a lot more on our plate than (Hill) just lining up (on the...

Geese overrun Echo Park Lake, prompting complaints from park visitors

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:05:20 GMT

Geese overrun Echo Park Lake, prompting complaints from park visitors Echo Park Lake is the center of controversy yet again, but this time, it's not a people problem.Two years after controversy surrounded a homeless encampment and fence erected at the site, Canada geese are the controversy du jour, according to the Los Angeles Times."Canada geese — which average 3 feet in length from beak to tail — have flocked to Echo Park Lake for years," the Times reports. "But lately, they’ve ruled the roost: charging yappy little dogs, scaring children, pooping all over the sidewalk, and pushing out other, smaller waterfowl."The public has taken notice, with Laila Molina, field deputy for Council District 13, noting that she gets "a lot of emails — mainly now about the geese situation at the park,” she told the Echo Park Neighborhood Council, as reported in the Times.On social media, Angelenos have shared those grievances. In June, Micaela Mielniczenko shared to X, formerly Twitter, a video of dozens of geese and other waterfowl approaching parkgoers and squawkin...

From the fields of California to space: Jose Hernandez embodies the American Dream

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:05:20 GMT

From the fields of California to space: Jose Hernandez embodies the American Dream The odds were stacked against him. But that didn’t stop Jose Hernandez from chasing his dreams.The California native came from humble beginnings, growing up in the agricultural fields of Stockton. But his hard work and perseverance took him far beyond – all the way into space as a NASA astronaut.Now, Hernandez’s story can be appreciated by the masses thanks to a new Amazon Prime movie, “A Million Miles Away.” KTLA’s Vera Jimenez recently spoke with Hernandez and the film’s director, Alejandra Marquez.

iPhone 15 hits stores. Should you upgrade?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:05:20 GMT

iPhone 15 hits stores. Should you upgrade? It's a big day for Apple fans... the latest iPhone 15 models are now in stores!Of course, the question for any loyal iPhone user is whether to upgrade. Here's what you need to know about the new devices and where to get them.One of the most basic questions I always get is whether it's better to go to your carrier or the Apple store for the transaction.I visited the Apple Tower Theater store in Downtown Los Angeles to get some answers."We’re going to get them set up connected and activated all right here in the store," said Terence Smith Jr., an Apple Sales Specialist. "Anything you can do at your carrier you can do at the Apple store."Terence Smith Jr., an Apple Sales SpecialistThat's good to know. Especially if you're considering switching plans or carriers or trying to get an upgrade deal.This year, there are four new models of the iPhone 15. Green is one of the color choices but it's also part of a major push from Apple to make its products carbon neutral by 2030."All four models...

How will El Niño affect winter in California? New long-range outlook released

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:05:20 GMT

How will El Niño affect winter in California? New long-range outlook released As it looks increasingly likely a strong El Niño will stick with us through winter, we're getting a peek at how the climate phenomenon might impact the weather this holiday season. The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center released a new long-range weather outlook Thursday, previewing what the next three months of weather might look like. The forecast includes the early part of winter — but the outlook doesn't look very wintery just yet. 70% chance of ‘strong’ El Niño: How long will it last? Instead, a record-breaking hot summer has stretched into a warm fall for many. That trend appears set to continue for much of the country. The Pacific Northwest and Northeast are most likely to have above-average temperatures through December. The West Coast, Southwest, Gulf, East Coast and Great Lakes are all also leaning toward a warmer-than-average late fall and early winter. In states where the temperatures do drop, it doesn't look likely they'll be accompanied with blanket...

Pedestrian Hurt in Multi-Vehicle Crash on Wilshire Boulevard [Santa Monica, CA]

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:05:20 GMT

Pedestrian Hurt in Multi-Vehicle Crash on Wilshire Boulevard [Santa Monica, CA] One Hospitalized after Multi-Vehicle Crash on Wilshire Boulevard near 14th StreetSANTA MONICA, CA (September 22, 2023) – Wednesday afternoon, a multi-vehicle crash on Wilshire Boulevard left at least one person injured.Officials responded to the incident at around 4:30 p.m., near the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and 14th Street.Based on the initial investigation, a car sped past an intersection at a red light and collided with a second vehicle. The collision caused the second car to spin out of control and hit a nearby pedestrian.Medical responders rushed the victim, believed to be an elderly adult, to a hospital for unspecified injuries.Meanwhile, the Santa Monica Police Department closed down the westbound Wilshire Boulevard between Euclid Street and 15th Street.At this time, it was unclear whether the authorities made any arrests from the incident. No further details regarding the two-vehicle crash have been released to the public.Santa Monica Officials will provide m...

Reco Winn: From Music to Fashion, Entrepreneurship and Beyond

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:05:20 GMT

Reco Winn: From Music to Fashion, Entrepreneurship and Beyond “Reco Winn,” a luxury accessory brand named after the founder, has impressed travelers and fashion enthusiasts with its latest travel bag offering, “The Weekender.”No matter how much we speak about a few individuals transcending boundaries and creating their own new norms, catapulting to massive growth and success all on their own, it feels like many more discussions are still needed around them for the world to know their genius.These professionals across sectors have done exceptionally well as founders, creators, artists, and entrepreneurs and have inspired up-and-comers in their niches, just like dynamic entrepreneur Reco Winn did with his luxury accessory brand Reco Winn.Reco Winn, the brain behind his much-talked-about luxury accessory brand, can’t hold his excitement enough to offer travelers and fashion enthusiasts his latest travel bag offering in the form of “The Weekender.”This latest addition to the Reco Winn Collection caters to those who love packing for a long weekend,...

Mystic or Mogul? Meet the Spiritual Entrepreneur Teaching LA How to Turn Their Inner Wisdom into Income

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:05:20 GMT

Mystic or Mogul? Meet the Spiritual Entrepreneur Teaching LA How to Turn Their Inner Wisdom into Income In the recent surge of spiritual entrepreneurship, a challenge surfaces: a misalignment between soulful purpose and tangible abundance. Many spiritual entrepreneurs grapple with a disconnect; their soul missions often translate slowly into earthly success.This struggle is what Alexandria Moran and the Third Eye Psychic School want to solve as they pioneer a soulful approach to equip spiritual women to blend their internal soul callings with real-world business prosperity effortlessly. Moran illuminates the path to authentic and aligned prosperity by developing one’s natural clairvoyant abilities.Leading the Third Eye Psychic School, Moran is not just a typical business guru; she’s a spiritual entrepreneur on a mission to bridge the gap between purpose and profit. Drawing from her spiritual expertise and business acumen, she aims to provide a safe, ethical, responsible, and fun space where women can explore the hidden parts of their subconscious mind, understand and trust...