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Jury: PacifiCorp must pay punitive damages for wildfires, plus award that could reach billions

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A jury in Oregon says the electric utility PacifiCorp must pay punitive damages for causing devastating wildfires in 2020 — on top of an earlier verdict already expected to amount to billions of dollars.The decision Wednesday came two days after the jurors found PacifiCorp liable for the fires and said it must pay for damage to property as well as emotional distress. The jury awarded $73 million to 17 homeowners named as plaintiffs in the case, with damages for a broader class involving the owners of nearly 2,500 other properties to be determined later.PacifiCorp, owned by billionaire Warren Buffett’s Omaha, Nebraska-based investment conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, said it would appeal the liability verdict and damages.The Multnomah County Circuit Court jury in Portland found Wednesday that PacifiCorp’s negligence warranted additional damages to punish the utility’s alleged indifference to the safety of others and to deter such conduct in the future. The jury ...

Kingston Police seek help identifying Lemoine Point vandal

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

Kingston Police is appealing to the community for information about numerous acts of vandalism that occurred between April and June 2023 at the Lemoine Point Conservation Area, off Coverdale Drive.Throughout the vandalism spree, police say that approximately 30 benches were damaged, along with washroom doors and various other signage on the property.“Conservation area enthusiasts have been both outraged and dismayed over the fact that many of the benches that have been vandalized are memorial benches that have small plaques with names inscribed on them. The damage to the benches, washroom doors, and signage on the property has amounted to approximately $5000,” Kingston Police said in a news release.Many of the damaged benches are marked with anti-Trudeau graffiti.Recent security footage obtained in early June has provided crucial insights into the suspect’s activities.Police note that the individual responsible for the vandalism appears to frequent the area during ...

Could Colorado home prices set a new record this summer?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado homes are approaching the record prices set last spring, but if the normal sales patterns hold they won't likely pass them. The Colorado Association of Realtors released its May report for both the Denver metro and statewide housing market data. After banner years of home sales brought on by the global COVID pandemic, Colorado homes sold more quickly and for more money than they ever have in the early years of the 2020s. They dropped nearly $100,000 from last spring to this January but have been rising $10,000-15,000 each month ever since. Brothers killed in I-25 road rage shooting, family says The median sales price for a Colorado single-family home was $575,000 in May 2023, the highest the state's home prices have been since last July.Prices would need to rise another $25,000 to match the record set last April, but that's unlikely if buyers act as they did in years before the pandemic began. In the seven years between 2014 and 2021, Colorado home price...

Broward County Public Schools’ superintendent search entering final phase

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

The search for Broward County’s next school superintendent is reaching its final phase of the selection process, as three highly qualified candidates vie for the position.It was a long morning and afternoon of questions for Broward County Schools’ final three superintendent finalists.The first finalist is Dr. Peter Licata, a South Florida and Broward County native, currently regional superintendent of schools in Palm Beach County. “I have spent 29 years in Palm Beach County. If you are looking for someone who can transform Broward to the next level, that doesn’t negotiate the value system in any way, that every child walking through the door is considered important, that’s who I am,” said Licata. “It’s a 24/7 job, and it’s an honor to have that role.”The second finalist is Luis Solano, the deputy superintendent for Detroit’s School District, also a former associate superintendent in Collier County and the former of Mi...

5 dogs die in RV fire before Florida dog show, official say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Five dogs were killed in an RV fire the day before a dog show was set to begin in Florida, officials said.The fire was first reported Tuesday afternoon at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue spokesperson Rob Herrin said. The American Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Show was scheduled to begin Wednesday at the fairgrounds and run through the weekend.Bystanders reported seeing smoke coming from the RV’s vents and then attempted to get inside the car, but couldn’t because of the flames and smoke, Herrin said. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, the RV owners told investigators that five boxers had been inside the vehicle.No humans were injured, officials said.Investigators believe the fire was an accident, but they’re still narrowing down a specific cause, Herrin said.

Swordfish Milanese / La Terrazza, Coral Gables

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

The Chef: Danny GanemThe Restaurant: La Terrazza, Coral GablesThe Dish: Swordfish MilaneseIngredients:Herb bread crumbs1 cup Panko Bread crumbs2 Tbsp Chopped Italian Parsley2 Tsp Dry Oregano1 Ea Lemon ZestTo Taste Espellete or Chili FlakesTo Taste Kosher Salt4 ea 7oz Swordfish4 ea Jimmy Nardello Pepper or small Sweet Peppers (roasted)4 ea Sunny Side Up Egg2 ea LemonsTo Taste Kosher SaltOlive OilCanola Oil for Pan FryingFinishing SaltParsley Puree:1 cup parsley leaves – rough chop2 garlic cloves, peeled2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil1/4 cup white wine vinegarSalt to tasteStep 1Combine the parsley in a blender or small food processor with the garlic and about half the oil. Turn on the machine and puree, adding the remaining oil to make a smooth paste.Step 2Add the vinegar and a large pinch of salt and blend for a second. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then serve or cover and refrigerate for up to a couple of days.Cilantro Puree, Dill Puree, Basil Puree, or Mint PureeMethod of Pr...

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez enters crowded GOP presidential race days after Trump’s indictment

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Miami Mayor Francis Suarez filed paperwork Wednesday to launch his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, jumping into the crowded race just a day after GOP front-runner Donald Trump appeared in court on federal charges in Suarez’s city.The 45-year-old mayor, the only Hispanic candidate in the race, declared his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission.Suarez, the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, is the son of Miami’s first Cuban-born mayor. He has gained national attention in recent years for his efforts to lure companies to Miami, with an eye toward turning the city into a crypto hub and the next Silicon Valley.Suarez, who is vying to become the first sitting mayor elected president, joins a GOP primary fight that includes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Despite having a candidate f...

SW Miami-Dade woman says she found box of mail dumped in her trash

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

A Southwest Miami-Dade woman is speaking out after, she said, she found dozens of pieces of mail in a box dumped in her garbage can.Razia Velez called 7News after, she said, she found the box.“This is really important stuff, you know,” she said. “This is people’s belongings, their information, their lives. This is a violation of all of us.”Surveillance video captured a man sitting in a driveway, at around 4 a.m. on Monday. He was seen sitting around for about an hour. “The person gets out of the car — it’s a man — and he takes this box, and he dumps it in my garbage can,” said Velez. “What seems to be a whole neighborhood of stolen mail. I mean, they went as far as ripping a mailbox apart.”Velez said she called Miami-Dade Police. She said officers came to look at the box and reported it to the postal police.Velez said she hasn’t heard from them yet and wants to make sure something is done. “Still waiting m...

Lakeville liquor store clerk accused of stealing $3 million lottery ticket skips arraignment

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

A woman accused of stealing and trying to cash in a winning lottery ticket worth millions of dollars skipped out on her arraignment Wednesday.The 23-year-old did not show up to Brockton Superior Court Wednesday. The judge then issued a warrant for her arrest.Investigators said she was a clerk at a liquor store in Lakeville where a man accidentally left his winning Mega Millions ticket back in January.The DA’s office said she tried to cash in the ticket worth $3 million dollars.

Police: Second teen arrested in connection to Roxbury sidewalk shootout

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:10 GMT

Police made a second arrest Wednesday in connection with a sidewalk shootout in Roxbury. In late May, gunfire erupted on Shawmut Avenue outside a liquor store, scaring bystanders and damaging cars.A 15-year-old boy from Boston faces several charges related to shooting a firearm and carrying without a license. He was arrested without incident around 465 Columbus Avenue in Boston, Boston police announced.The shooting was caught on video, showing two suspects exchanging gunfire around 7 p.m. May 24. The police announced a few days later that a 18-year-old had been arrested in connection with the incident.The teen is expected to be arraigned in Boston Juvenile Court.