Don't trash that old phone: How to get rid of unwanted electronics

ST. LOUIS (KTVI) – If you have a growing pile of electronics in your home, it's common to want to throw them in the trash. But that's the last thing you should do.

E-waste contains lots of hazardous elements that can harm humans and animals, according to Scott Schaffer, chief information security officer with Blade Technologies.

Batteries are a big concern because they contain many different chemicals and can catch fire under certain conditions.

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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, electronics are also made of valuable materials that "require energy to mine and manufacture."

"Donating or recycling consumer electronics conserves our natural resources and avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing virgin materials," the federal agency said.

According to the EPA, recycling 1 million laptops is equivalent to saving the amount of electricity used by more than 3,500 U.S. homes in a year. And for every 1 million recycled cell phones, 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered, said the EPA.

Those who want to recycle an electronic device should take it to a local e-waste recycler, or check to see if nearby electronics retailers are accepting old devices for recycling. The EPA also offers information on electronic donation and recycling on its website.

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If you don't want to recycle your device for any particular reason, it can also be repurposed. An old smartphone, for instance, can be used an alarm clock, security camera or remote for a smart TV. And an old tablet can be used as a digital picture frame or video call station.

Sometimes, simply upgrading the hardware or software in your computer or laptop can prolong its life and usefulness, temporarily eliminating the need for a new one.

Schaffer also suggested a number of apps that can help users find new purpose for their old devices.

• AlfredCamera: Use for cross-platform security cameras
• Manything: Good for repurposing iOS tablets as security cameras
• Presence Video Security Camera: Good for using devices for security cameras
• Alarm Clock for me: Cross-platform app to turn your device into a dedicated alarm clock
• Apple Photos app or Google Photos app: Will let you turn your device into a dedicated smart picture frame

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SFMTA workers demand full restoration of all service

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KRON) - San Francisco transit riders, operators, and advocates rallied in front of the Municipal Transportation Agency building demanding a full restoration of all service lines after many were cut since the beginning of the pandemic.

While the MTA has made moves towards more cuts, city leaders say they're now making headway with the transit agency in a reversal decision to bring back some of its lines by early next year.

Supervisor Dean Preston says its all thanks to community organizations and rallies like the one held Thursday.

On Thursday Muni riders, operators, and transit advocates rallied in San Francisco for the Municipal Transportation Agency to restore all of its lines that have since been cut during the pandemic.

Supervisor Dean Preston who represents District 5 says the cuts in service have had tremendous impacts on residents.

Preston claims that MTA's been trying to eliminate lines and consolidate service to save on costs, however, he says the board is now starting to listen.

This comes as the transit agency announced on Wednesday that it's temporarily suspending some short-line services, including these up on your screen due to employees who are still not vaccinated.

SFMTA Director Jeffery Tumlin writes, quote:

"Vaccines are safe, and the best way to protect the public, our workers, and their families. We're preparing to minimize service impacts as mandate takes effect Monday."

The suspension in short line rides goes into effect on Monday, November 1st.

While SFMTA will have to suspend some of its services due to operators not being vaccinated, Supervisor Dean Preston emphasizes that this is not the reason for all of the cuts in service previously.

He says ridership is up and more San Franciscans are getting back to work, so restoring these lines will be crucial for the transportation of this city.

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Dine & Dish: Inside Kollar Chocolates

NAPA, Calif. (KRON) - Happy National Chocolate Day and happy almost Halloween. 

We're on the cusp of trick-or-treating where candy is front and center.

We know what ends up in the bag and what gets traded out but tonight on Dine and Dish, this one's for adults with a sweet tooth.  

Submit to Dine & Dish

We're going upscale chocolate with a Bay Area chocolatier.

Calling all chocola-holics.

Kollar Chocolates of Napa is rolling out these delicacies ready for any occasion.

Meet the chocolatier, Chris Kollar, the inspiration behind Kollar Chocolates.

Concocted in Wine Country and now also being served up at a high-end hotel, top of the mark, alongside flavor-infused organic vodka from Sonoma.

Made by hand, Kollar Chocolates are infused with flavors like passion fruit and earl grey tea.

If they look like something extra-terrestrial, you're on the right track.

Kollar Chocolates rolled out some planet-inspired chocolates for Space X.

You could say, these locally made chocolates are out of this world.

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Classes, activities canceled at 2 Sonoma County high schools following threat

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) - Two Sonoma County high schools will be canceling classes and school activities on Friday after receiving a threat.

The West Sonoma County Union High School District posted a notice on their website saying they received a threat on Thursday evening.

The district and Sebastopol police department decided it would be best to cancel school at West County High School and Laguna High School.

Officials are currently investigating the incident.

More details will be released at a later time.

Check back for updates.

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‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star Dorit Kemsley robbed in home invasion

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating after “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Dorit Kemsley was robbed at her Encino home late Wednesday night, with the assailants taking expensive handbags, jewelry and watches.

At around 10:50 p.m., three people wearing dark hoodies broke into the home on the 17000 block of Adlon Road, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

"The victim was in the residence at the time and was met by the suspects," LAPD officials said in a news release. "The victim was in fear and complied with the suspects' demands by directing them to valuables."

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Police sources confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that the robbery involved the reality star.

Kemsley was asleep inside the home when the intruders broke in by smashing through the children's classroom door, according to Daily Mail, which was first to report on the incident.

Aerial video showed one of the home's glass doors was shattered Thursday morning.

The intruders held the star at gunpoint and ransacked the house, the Daily Mail reported, citing an unnamed source close to Kemsley.

After taking the handbags, jewelry and watches, the robbers fled the scene in a black truck, leaving behind "a significant monetary loss," according to LAPD.

Kemsley has said during past interviews that she buys all of her clothes at the full retail price so she can combine the exact pieces she wants.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

LAPD described the suspects as being between 20 to 30 years of age, all wearing black hoodies and dark pants. No description of the truck was available.

KTLA reached out to Kemsley but had not heard back Thursday afternoon.

Detectives from the LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Division, Robbery Special Section, asked members of the public with any information to come forward.

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1 person in custody after police activity temporarily grounds LAX flights

One person was taken into custody at Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday evening after flights were grounded due to reports of an active shooter in or near Terminal 1.

As of 7:50 p.m., police said there is no threat and no active shooter at the airport, according to a tweet from LAX.

The airport later added that about 300 passengers "self-evacuated" onto the tarmac after a report of a person with a gun.

No shots were fired and no weapon was recovered, the airport added.

Despite initial reports that there were no injuries, Nicholas Prange of the Los Angeles Fire Department said two people were injured near Gate 17A in Terminal 1.

A 40-year-old man was hurt, but did not need to be taken to a hospital, while another person, whose age and gender are not known, was transported to a nearby hospital, Prange said.

At 8:19 p.m., the airport announced that the south side of the airfield has reopened for flights, though the north side remains closed.

Check back for updates to this developing story.

The FAA has opened the south side of the airfield to flights following a ground stop for a security incident. The north side remains closed for now. Please check your flight status. More details to come.

— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) October 29, 2021

Statement about tonight's security incident inside Terminal 1. If you are flying tonight check your flight status. pic.twitter.com/AMDTqy6CSK

— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) October 29, 2021

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Push continues to bring WNBA to the East Bay

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) -- A former WNBA champion is now onboard to lead Oakland's effort to bring women's basketball to the East Bay.

At a virtual press conference on Thursday, she explained why now is the best time for professional basketball to return to Oakland.

"I am super excited about being a part of it and I can't wait to work with each and every one of you," Alana Beard, African American Sports & Entertainment Group.

There is a buzz surrounding former WNBA champion, Alana Beard, partnering with the African American sports and entertainment group to lead AASEG's all-female ownership's effort to bring a new WNBA expansion franchise to the city of Oakland. Beard talks about why now is the perfect time for the WNBA to take advantage of the Bay Area sports market.

"I can pull from many examples. You think about Kansas City and what they have done in terms of dedicating an entire arena that cost $70 million to women's sports or the increase in viewership," Beard said. "49% in its 25th year. I can not think of a better time than right now."

"We are ready. We have the venue. We have the community," Kaplan said. "We have the support, and we have the basketball."

Oakland vice mayor Rebecca Kaplan led the effort to secure the Oakland-Alameda County Joint Power Authority's unanimous vote for AASEG's non-binding agreement to use the Oakland Arena as the new home for WNBA basketball.

"I do want to make clear that they were the only applicant for the arena. There were not two competing bidders for the area lease," Kaplan said. "AASEG submitted the proposal submitted the lease and it was unanimously approved."

"The next steps obviously will be us starting to go through the process of communicating our proposal with the league leadership," Bobbitt said.

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