RICHMOND, Calif. (KRON) -- It could take days and perhaps weeks to repair the damage to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, according to officials. Caltrans officials say the fatal big rig accident at the toll plaza this past Monday destroyed one lane and impacted two others.
Only four of the seven lanes are currently open, resulting in snarled traffic at times.
The fiery accident Monday night torched the far-right lane, known as lane 7, and seriously impacted the integrity of lanes 5 and 6, according to Caltrans. The CHP is investigating the cause of the crash that killed the big rig driver.
Westbound traffic was shut down for hours that night. Now, days later, repairs are still underway with no timeframe for when the three damaged lanes will reopen.
"Forty thousand drivers pass through the area. It is a priority to get it done," said Vince Jacala, a Caltrans spokesperson.
Jacala said a large team continues to assess what it will take to safely rebuild the lanes.
"We need to get the items and that might take some time," he explained.
"The toll plaza items were burned up," said John Goodwin, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the state agency that manages the toll plaza at the bridge.
He says the agency is in a similar position to Caltrans looking for parts to replace the burned items. The toll plaza is scheduled to be eliminated with a new overhead gantry. That project isn't due to begin until 2024, according to Goodwin.
Another planning meeting to evaluate fixing the toll plaza will happen next Monday. A more accurate timeline on when the bridge could reopen may emerge then.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) -- While Democrats in congress continue to have difficulty pushing through any gun safety legislation due to Republican opposition, California along with 18 other states, has red flag legislation already on the books.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen says this has been very successful and in a post on his website he’s encouraging the implementation of red flag laws across the United States.
"If an individual is a threat to themselves or others, and they possess firearms, we can go to a judge and ask the judge to temporarily remove those firearms and do that very quickly," Rosen said. "And when I say very quickly, I mean within a few hours. It absolutely has saved lives."
Rosen says California's law which was passed in 2016, is not some little used rule of law, at least not in Santa Clara County.
"In Santa Clara County, last year we use gun violence restraining orders more than 200 times," he added.
Most recently, Rosen says the red flag law’s gun violence restraining order was obtained to remove two AR-15 assault rifles, ghost guns, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, from a fired construction worker who he says was threatening former co-workers.
"It escalated to the point where he was showing them through the internet photos of him holding a gun and shooting them and they call the police," he said. "The police vote with us. We got a gun violence restraining order so I think this is a good example of law enforcement working quickly to avert a mass tragedy."
Rosen admits red flag laws won’t stop every mass shooting, but says it’s one of a series of tools that needs to be utilized.
HICKMAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) - Deputies rescued a woman from an alleged kidnapping and domestic violence situation in Tennessee Sunday after a convenience store customer noticed her discreet signal for help, according to Hickman County Sheriff's Office officials.
The woman ran into the Twice Daily store and gave a signal with her hand by crossing her thumb over her palm and repeatedly covering her thumb with her four other fingers, witnesses said. The hand signal was made famous on the social media platform TikTok and is reportedly used to signal the need for help during a domestic violence situation.
Deputies responded to the scene and found a pickup truck leaving the parking lot as they arrived. Witnesses told deputies to follow the truck and when the deputies did, a pursuit ensued.
The pursuit lasted for around 10-15 minutes before the truck crashed in neighboring Dickson County. The driver, identified as 31-year-old Jonathan Smith, got out of the vehicle and ran before being tased and taken into custody. The woman was not injured.
Twice Daily customer Eric Streeval recalled seeing the woman enter the store and look over at him, also mouthing the word "help." Streeval is a part of a motorcycle group that helps women in domestic violence situations. He credited the woman for reaching out.
"If you see something, say something," Streeval said. "Domestic violence is a bad thing here in Tennessee. The victims, a lot of times they're too afraid to speak out. And I credit the young lady in this situation with having the world's most courage of actually speaking out because who knows what would have happened."
Streeval said he's since reached out to the victim on social media and hopes to put her in touch with local resources.
"I would just tell her lean on family if she's got family, [or] find a complete stranger. If someone's willing to listen, talk to him. Don't think everything bundled up inside. Reach out to somebody and just believe the good in somebody."
Smith is currently charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated domestic assault, with more charges pending, according to investigators.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) – There's a new warning about a crime that some are linking to the high price of gas – thieves drilling into vehicle gas tanks to steal fuel.
Newer vehicles have an anti-rollover valve that relieves pressure in the tank and also prevents would-be thieves from siphoning gas, according to AAA, so crooks are bypassing the valve and drilling right into the underside of the car.
In Kansas City, police in Overland Park and Independence are investigating multiple such reports. Police say the crimes happened overnight last week and left at least two pickup trucks and a third vehicle damaged.
In Washington state, where the average price of regular gas was $4.74 on Monday, police in the city of Everett warned drivers of the crime:
With the sharp and fast rise of price at the gas pumps we are seeing an increase in gas theft. While some thieves use rubber hoses to siphon fuel out, we are seeing modern day thieves use power tools to drill a hole in the gas tank and steal fuel. The cost of damage to the gas tank far exceeds that of the gasoline and we recommend that you park your vehicle in a garage or well-lit and high traveled area to help deter would-be thieves. If you see or hear and suspicious activity near your vehicle, call 911 right away.
Everett Police Department
The Automobile Club of Southern California has also alerted members about the tactic; at least two instances of gas tank drilling were reported in the San Diego area last week.
AAA said it's an expensive crime. If it's a small hole, a mechanic may be able to patch the tank, If not, car owners could face a repair bill of more than $1,000 to replace a damaged gas tank.
It also creates a potential fire safety hazard.
How can you tell if you have been a victim of fuel theft?
AAA said those who suspect they were a victim of fuel theft should look for the following signs:
The smell of gas as you approach your vehicle
A puddle under your vehicle near the fuel tank
The vehicle is not starting
The vehicle starts but the fuel gauge shows fuel is missing and/or the check engine light comes on
What should you do if you confirm your vehicle has been tampered with?
Contact the police to file a report
Reach out to your insurance agent to find out if your policy covers the repair
Take your vehicle to get fixed as soon as possible
Here are some tips from AAA on how to protect your vehicle:
Park in the garage at your home if you have one.
When out in public, park in a well-lit area with high traffic.
If possible, park in a secure location like a fenced-in lot or parking garage.
When in a garage, find a parking spot near the exit or elevator since those have the most visibility and foot traffic.
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WDTN) — A 14-year-old girl was pronounced dead after being pulled from the water at an Ohio amusement park on Tuesday evening.
The coroner's office later identified the teen as Mykiara Jones.
According to a release from the Butler County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to the lake at Land of Illusions Amusement Park in Middletown on a report of a juvenile drowning. When deputies arrived, the Madison Township EMS and the Land of Illusions staff were attempting to locate Mykiara, who had went underwater at approximately 5 p.m.
The Land of Illusions lifeguard located Mykiara at approximately 5:30 p.m. She was immediately pulled from the water and Madison Township EMS began treatment.
Mykiara was flown to Dayton Children's Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The Butler County Sheriff's Office said Mykiara fell into the water after she was on a "jumping apparatus." She was not wearing a life vest.
“This is a tragedy no parent should have to endure. These are the calls first responders dread and have difficulty dealing with. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,” said Sheriff Jones.
According to a release from the Middletown City School District, Mykiara was a student there.
It is with great sadness that I write this letter to you. One of our students died yesterday after a possible drowning incident at the Land of Illusion Water Park. Mykiara Jones was a rising freshman at Middletown High School and we mourn for her family and friends. Mykiara’s mother works in our schools, so we will be wrapping our arms around her during this extremely difficult time.
Middletown City School District Superintendent Marlon Styles
The school said information on memorial arrangements will be released at a later date.
Land of Illusion released a statement Wednesday afternoon:
Land of Illusion is saddened to learn of the passing of a young girl at our Aqua Adventure Park yesterday (July 20). Out of respect for her and her family, and for our employees who are also dealing with this tragedy, Land of Illusion Aqua Adventure Park will be closed today.
We are fully supporting state and local officials as they investigate the incident. We would like to thank first responders and all those who participated in the rescue effort. We ask that you join us in sending thoughts and prayers and our deepest condolences to our guest’s family and friends, as well as to the team members and guests who were onsite last evening during this tragedy.
(NEXSTAR) – The Olympic Village has its first case of COVID-19, Tokyo officials have confirmed.
The case, detected via a positive COVID-19 test on Friday, was observed in a “games-concerned personnel” and not an athlete, organizers said in a recent report. The patient’s identity was not disclosed, though they were listed as a non-resident of Japan.
The patient is also under a 14-day quarantine, the official report indicates.
The case represents just one of over a dozen new cases reported by organizers on Saturday, but the first within the Olympic village. Most others were observed in contractors or members of the media, following positive tests between July 14 and July 16, according to official documentation.
News of Friday’s positive case within the Olympic Village also comes after Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), had said there was “zero” risk of athletes passing the virus to other residents of the Olympic Village or the people of Japan earlier this week.
The case, detected via a positive COVID-19 test on Friday, was observed in a “games-concerned personnel” and not an athlete, organizers said in a recent report. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
At a press conference Saturday, Bach said the positive cases were evidence that routine screenings were effective.
“We have been informed by Tokyo 2020, that from the 1st of July to the 16th of July, around 15,000 athletes, officials and other accredited people … have arrived here in Tokyo and, as you know, have been tested upon arrival,” said Bach. He added that only 15 people tested positive “at arrival or during their screening tests” for a rate of just 0.01%.
All patients were isolated so as not to pose a risk to other participants or the Japanese population, Bach said.
Since July 1, organizers have said that a total of 45 people under the IOC’s “jurisdiction” have tested positive for COVID-19. Only one of those is an athlete from abroad — who was not residing in the Olympic Village — and who is currently under quarantine.
“This shows the measures are not only in place, but that they are working and that they are enforced,” Bach added at Saturday’s press conference, in reference to the 15 new cases reported on Saturday.
The Olympic Village on Tokyo Bay is expected to house roughly 11,000 athletes during the Tokyo Summer Games, as well as “thousands” of staff members, the Associated Press reported.
The 2020 Olympics are scheduled to begin Friday, July 23, and last through Aug. 8.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated after a group of unidentified people attacked his private residence, the country’s interim prime minister said in a statement Wednesday.
First Lady Martine Moïse is hospitalized following the attack late Tuesday, interim Premier Claude Joseph said.
Joseph condemned what he called a “hateful, inhumane and barbaric act,” adding that Haiti’s National Police and other authorities had the situation in the Caribbean country under control.
The nation of more than 11 million people had grown increasingly unstable and disgruntled under Moïse's rule. Its economic, political and social woes have deepened, with gang violence spiking heavily in the capital of Port-au-Prince, inflation spiraling and food and fuel becoming scarcer at times in a country where 60% of the population makes less than $2 a day. These troubles come as Haiti still tries to recover from the devastating 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew that struck in 2016.
Moïse, 53, had been ruling by decree for more than two years after the country failed to hold elections, which led to Parliament being dissolved. Opposition leaders have accused him of seeking to increase his power, including approving a decree that limited the powers of a court that audits government contracts and another that created an intelligence agency that answers only to the president.
In recent months, opposition leaders demanded he step down, arguing that his term legally ended in February 2021. Moïse and supporters maintained that his term began when he took office in early 2017, following a chaotic election that forced the appointment of a provisional president to serve during a year-long gap.
Haiti was scheduled to hold general elections later this year.
VALLEJO, Calif. (KRON) -- A brush fire that burned through 10 acres in Vallejo, including neighborhoods, was likely sparked from fireworks, fire officials said.
The Swanzy Fire caused evacuations on Monday night and damaged at least eight homes, according to the Vallejo Police Department.
It's a reminder that during the California drought, people should be wary of how their actions can potentially cause the next major wildfire - especially as the Fourth of July approaches.
Cal Fire says to never use fireworks near dry grass or other flammable materials. The agency also advises not to light more than one firework at a time, and be ready with a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of an emergency.
People also need to pay attention to local laws regarding using fireworks. In Vallejo for example, fireworks are illegal.
The fines for using fireworks in Vallejo are:
$250 for a first violation
$500 for a second violation (within 12 months of the previous violation)
$750 for a third violation (within 12 months of the previous violation)
"Fireworks are dangerous and have caused many fires, costly property damage and severe injury. Fireworks are also frightening to many pets and wildlife with the peak loss of pets during the year occurring on the 4th of July. Fireworks are also toxic pollutants both to air and water," the city says.
Solano County and counties surrounding it are considered to be under exceptional drought, which is the worst designation, per the U.S. Drought Monitor.
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) — Elected officials in Texas said the state should help pay some of the eye-watering electricity bills sent to residents after the devastating and deadly winter storm that caused widespread blackouts.
Texas has a highly unusual deregulated energy market that allows consumers to choose between scores of competing electricity providers.
Some providers sell electricity at wholesale prices that rise in sync with demand, which skyrocketed as a record-breaking freeze gripped a state unaccustomed to extreme cold, killing at least two dozen people and knocking out power to more than 4 million people at its peak; some 30,000 people were still without power on Sunday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said.
As a result, some Texans who were still able to turn on lights or keep their fridge running found themselves with bills of $5,000 for just a five-day period, according to photos of invoices posted on social media by angry consumers.
The Dallas Morning News said one provider offering a wholesale tariff plan had urged its thousands of customers to switch suppliers ahead of the storm to avoid high prices, but many found it would take too long to change their provider.
"The bill should go to the state of Texas," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said in an interview with CBS News on Sunday. "When they're getting these exorbitant electricity bills and they're having to pay for their homes, repair their homes, they should not have to bear the responsibility."
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price told CBS both the state and the federal government should be expected to help with the bills.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who was forced to cut short a holiday jaunt with his family to the Mexican beach resort of Cancun after public outrage, also distanced himself from the free-market system he had previously praised.
"This is WRONG," Cruz wrote on Twitter. "No power company should get a windfall because of a natural disaster, and Texans shouldn't get hammered by ridiculous rate increases for last week's energy debacle. State and local regulators should act swiftly to prevent this injustice."
Abbott called an emergency meeting of state lawmakers on Saturday to discuss the problem, saying in a statement that they had a responsibility to ensure Texans "do not get stuck with skyrocketing energy bills."
On Sunday, the governor told reporters that the Texas Public Utilities Commission will order electricity companies to pause sending customers electricity bills. The commission is also issuing a temporary moratorium on disconnection for non-payment, Abbott said.
Separately, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued civil investigative demands to power companies regarding the outages, their emergency plans and pricing, saying that the companies "grossly mishandled" the weather emergency.
U.S. President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for Texas on Saturday that makes federal funding available to people harmed by the storm, including assistance for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans.
All power plants were back online this weekend and power had been restored to most homes as the weather returned to normal, but concerns still remained about water supplies, with millions of Texans being advised to boil water before using. Houston officials said the city's water was safe to use without boiling as of Sunday.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KRON) - The Department of Defense released the first images of a COVID-19 vaccination record card and vaccination kits Wednesday.
Photo By: EJ Hersom, DOD
The cards will be sent out as part of vaccination kits from Operation Warp Speed.
"Everyone will be issued a written card that they can put in their wallet that will tell them what they had and when their next dose is due," according to Dr. Kelly Moore, associate director of the Immunization Action Coalition in a report by CNN.
The CDC issued a COVID-19 Vaccination Program Interim Playbook which states "For most COVID-19 vaccine products, two doses of vaccine, separated by 21 or 28 days, will be needed. Because different COVID-19 vaccine products will not be interchangeable, a vaccine recipient’s second dose must be from the same manufacturer as their first dose."
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Eight missing children were rescued in a five-day rescue operation in the Indianapolis area and one person was arrested on charges including parental kidnapping, according to federal authorities.
The children are between 6 to 17 years old in what’s been called “Operation Homecoming, according to the U.S. Marshals Service’s Southern District of Indiana.
Authorities said children are “considered to be some of the most at-risk and challenging recovery cases in the area.”
The arrested adult was also charged with possession of weapons and intimidation.
The children were turned over to the Indiana Department of Child Services.
Federal authorities worked with groups including Indianapolis police and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
No further details about the children or the circumstances were released.
