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When Black Friday Comes...
Nov 20, 2008 | 10:51 PM PST
Category:
News
Are you ready for those super duper deals the day after turkey day? Retailers are hoping you are. They are out to provide some really deep discounts, since few of us have been enticed to do any early holiday shopping. There are some pretty good deals being offered (you can check them out early by going on the internet). If shoppers don't open their wallets and wide...the future for some retailers could be in jeopardy. You know what...I know a lot of folks who can't afford to open those wallets wide during these tough economic times.
Fires of October
Oct 13, 2008 | 10:58 PM PST
Category:
News
Here we go again. Brutal Santa Ana winds pound the Southland, pushing fires and firefighters to the limit. What can you do? Make sure you have a lot of that defensible space around your property. You know, keep a clear area around your home free of combustible materials. With high winds, there's no guarantee, but every little bit helps. Also, do yourself a favor...stay indoors and don't breathe that crummy air. It's very bad for your lungs and can cause many problems. Finally...stay alert and stay tuned to Fox 11 for the very latest. Quite often...YOU are the first line of defense!
I've covered some pretty gruesome stories in my career...but this one ranks right up there as one of the worst. A daughter convicted along with her ex boyfriend, of stabbing the mom with three knives in her home, dumping the body in the ocean....oh..and let's not forget...plunging a butter knife in mom's eye. For that, the daughter will spend at least 25 years in prison, if not her entire life. All of this, reportedly because mom was laying down some strict rules for the daughter, which led to her being grounded, which led to the murder. At the daughter's sentencing, you almost felt sorry for her. There she was telling the judge, she didn't do it, that she loved her mom. Her dad, pledging his support for her, while telling the court the mom, his wife, was not the woman everyone thought. Brutal.....and sad at the same time.
Watch out on the Bailout
Oct 9, 2008 | 7:03 PM PST
Category:
News
Like many folks, I'm waiting to see the true numbers on the federal bailout. No..not that $700 billion figure...but the numbers some Americans might receive with their new "federal" mortgage. I'm hearing some people with those incredible adjustable rate mortgages could wind up with loans with rates as low as three percent. Well..that's great if you're upside down or in fear of losing your home to foreclosure. What if you're not? What if you're one of those people with a nice, fixed rate mortgage, able to pay your bills on time and fairly optimistic you're secure in your home? Does that mean due to your fiscal responsibility that you'll be paying more than someone who should have known better or conned by some unscrupulous lender? I sure hope not. That's certainly not fair. Needless to say, it sends a very strong message....shoot the moon, go for broke and don't worry...government will come to the rescue.
Tape Nails OJ
Oct 6, 2008 | 5:44 PM PST
Category:
News
It's the tape stupid! Audio and video tape convicted OJ Simpson on all 12 counts in the armed robbery and kidnapping case in Las Vegas. As I sat through portions of the trial, I wondered if jurors would take any of the witnesses seriously, given their "interesting" backgrounds. Jurors told the world those witnesses could not be trusted. They relied on tapes secretly recorded to render a guilty verdict and it was clear to them that OJ orchestrated it all, including the use of guns in an attempt to retrieve belongings he once owned. I must admit, I was a little surprised the panel rendered a verdict so quickly. Yes, they spent about 12 hours or so deliberating, but I figured it would take longer given the dozen counts and two defendants. Yes..TWO defendants. Lost in most of this was co-defendant Clarence Stewart, OJ's golf buddy from North Las Vegas, recruited to go along that fateful night and assist in that retrieval. His attorneys unsuccessfully tried to sever their case from OJ's...and with good reason, given OJ's baggage. I thought Stewart would've testified on his own behalf. He had no gun, no apparent knowledge a weapon would be used and might be able to argue that he assaulted no one. Both men face serious prison time, given that Nevada law mandates prison time for armed robbery and kidnapping. As for the other cohorts who accompanied OJ and cut deals with prosecutors in exchange for their testimony, it'll be interesting to see how much time, if any, they'll serve behind bars. There was no winner in this case, with the exception of Thomas Riccio, the man who set it all up and taped OJ's six minute, expletive-filled rant in the hotel room. Riccio was granted immunity for his partcipation and THE TAPE that nailed OJ. Part of Riccio's deal was that OJ would sign copies of the book, "If I Did It," which OJ never did. So, I guess Riccio was a loser in a sense, although he did walk away with more than $100,000 for his audio tape...AND...his freedom. As for OJ...we'll all learn his sentencing fate December 5th...providing the final chapter. That is.. unless...an appeal is filed and a judge grants a new trial. No way you say....with OJ...anything is possible.
Political Olympics
Aug 7, 2008 | 10:50 PM PST
Category:
News
For all those who say the Olympics should be about sport and devoid of politics, it seems much of the latter is coming to light just hours before the opening ceremony. Even our nation's number one fan, President Bush can't help but sound off on China's human rights violations. The Chinese government quickly responded and basically said, mind your own business. It would be nice to focus on the athletic talents from the world's best, but we keep hearing about electronic eavesdropping, shuttling protesters far out of sight or worse... and folks banned from China for their actions and beliefs related to Darfur and Sudan. To be honest, I think the one thing I'm most concerned about for the athletes is the pollution. Have you seen it? It's so thick you could cut it with a proverbial knife. It looks like a thick soup hanging over Olympic Stadium. That can't be good. Talk about a human rights violation...
Where Did Summer Go?
Aug 1, 2008 | 9:58 PM PST
Category:
News
It's August already? I can't believe this summer is flying by. In a blink of an eye, July came and went and now the countdown is underway for back to school. I'm sure the kids don't want to hear that. Better make the best of the rest of summer. Going on vacation? Or perhaps you're like many others, fed up with gas prices, so you'll be enjoying a "staycation." Yep, just kicking it at home. Not a bad idea. There's so much to see and do without burning all that fossil fuel. Hit the beach, a park, take a hike, visit a museum. Southern California has a lot to offer and a lot of the natural wonder is free or pretty cheap. Check it out.
Kid Torture
Jul 31, 2008 | 10:41 PM PST
Category:
News
How could it happen? An 11 year old boy and his 15 year old sister...reportedly tortured by their parents. Imagine, locked in a bedroom, bound with pantyhose and thrown on the floor for six hours or more a day. And there's more. The kids never went to school and actually thought their lives were normal. How sad is that? The parents face life in prison if convicted on the torture charge. What shall become of the kids? Stories as these turn your stomach, even for veteran police officers. Here's the real scary part...had it not been for an alert neighbor who contacted authorities...the alleged abuse could've continued...and it's already alleged to have taken place six years or longer.
Earthquake...What Earthquake?
Jul 29, 2008 | 10:53 PM PST
Category:
News
Believe it or not...I did not feel the 5.4 temblor. No foolin! I was working outside on my car, had the industrial vac goin...didn't feel or hear a thing. I kept working for more than an hour..no tv or radio on. It wasn't until I got a phone call that someone told me about it. I know it sounds odd, but it's the truth! I've spoken to a bunch of people about the rockin and rollin they felt, some just a couple miles away. I don't know what to make of it. Is there anyone else out there in the Southland who didn't feel it? I'd like to hear your non-experience.
Cheated Out of AP Exams
Jul 16, 2008 | 9:26 PM PST
Category:
News
Imagine..you're a high school honors student who studies all year to pass advanced placement tests for college credit, only to find out the test was disqualified and you have to take it again. That's the issue facing 375 students at Trabuco Hills High in Mission Viejo. The reason..ten students reportedly cheated during the exam that wasn't closely watched by administrators. To boot, they didn't even find out if they passed. How devastating? Consider that many of these students are just a couple weeks from entering college. Yet, here they are, cramming to study..again and praying they pass. If they don't, no college credit and they'll likely have to take those courses in college AND PAY FOR THEM! That could run more than $30,000. To add insult to injury..it was the honest students who apparently ratted out the cheaters and for their honesty..the New Jersey based Educational Testing Service throws out all 690 test scores. Some students took FIVE AP exams. The school also shoulders a big part of the blame...failing to implement proper testing procedures that may have lead to the cheating. What a nightmare! The students and their parents hope a last ditch court battle will result in validating the test scores. It's a long shot. In the meantime..it's time to study and pray for a miracle! What a way to start your college career!
Up..Up...and Away...
Jul 7, 2008 | 10:50 PM PST
Category:
News
Did ya see it? Up in the sky..it's a bird..it's a plane...it's a guy in a lawn chair? Yep.. a crazy fellow from Oregon finally made his lawn chair helium balloon flight to Idaho. What a sight! A handmade chair with about 160 giant helium filled balloons attached, allowing him to soar across the sky. It was quite a sight, though it didn't look too safe. Landing was tricky...he had to pop or shoot out the balloons one at a time. It just goes to show that the spirit of adventure...or foolishness..is alive and well in the U-S-A!
You May Have Already Won...or Not!
Jul 3, 2008 | 10:54 PM PST
Category:
News
I don't know about you...but I've been receiving a lot of mail lately telling me I'm in the running to receive tens of thousands of dollars or more. To find out, all I have to do is send $10-$25. Sounds like a scam to me. My advice to you..DON'T PAY THE MONEY! Some of these offers are from outside of the United States. Maybe it's legit..but it smells to me. The best thing you can do....recycle the paper..if you know what I mean.
No Where to Run or Hide
Jul 1, 2008 | 10:13 PM PST
Category:
News
Who robs a mailman? Well..three guys apparently did and tried to getaway by driving through the South Bay. Big Mistake. There's not a lot of outlets and the further south you go, your chances of escape lessen. You've got the beach to the west and many streets with twists and turns that lead to dead ends. You guessed it..our three amigos wound up cornered near a gated community only to be sniffed out by a couple of K-9s more than willing to take a few bites out of crime. Thankfully, the postman wasn't hurt. What these suspects may not know is that stealing mail from a postal carrier is a big time federal offense...punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Hope it was worth it!
Look Ma..No Handsfree
Jun 30, 2008 | 10:57 PM PST
Category:
News
For all the hype on the new state law regarding handsfree calling while driving, I betcha we'll still see plenty of folks on the road with their ear to a phone. Well...that is..until they see a cop. I liken it to the seat belt law. Many folks did buckle up..but many did not...unless they caught a glimpse of a black and white in the rearview mirror. I think both laws are good ones...but it's hard to believe legislators dropped the ball by not addressing texting. While we're at it...it seems to me the root of many problems stems from folks fumbling with the phone while dialing, opening/closing, etc. We shouldn't need a law to tell us how to act. Common sense should rule. But here we are...legislating behavior because enough people fail to use their noggin!
Make Money with Returns??
Jun 16, 2008 | 9:58 PM PST
Category:
News
Such is another sad tale of hassle when attempting to return an item for a refund. There I was at a major electronics store In the OC wanting to simply return an unopened desktop hard drive with the original receipt. Then....the clerks tells me that since I purchased the item in L.A. County, my refund would be calculated using the lower OC tax rate. Huh?? This was real simple. Just credit the exact amount back to the credit card I used. No..I was told...the "computer" won't let us do that. So, if I wanted the refund, I would have to donate the difference of 45 cents to the store. Now, that's not a lot, but it's the principle of the matter. Why should I have to pay extra to return an item that is "welcomed" at any of these chain stores as long as I had a receipt? I refused, deciding, I wouldn't give them the satisfaction or my 45 cents. Before I left, I asked, 'What if I buy a bunch of items at this OC store and return them to a L-A County store? I could MAKE money by returning them where the sales tax is higher.' The manager said, 'yes, that's true.' And I said, 'that's ok?' And suprisingly, he said, 'yes!' Now, I don't advocate anyone doing this. I should point out that I have returned items from other stores, purchased elsewhere with a different tax rate and never encountered a problem. Go figure.
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