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Pythons become an obsession: A night out with the hunters who caught that record-breaking 19-foot snake

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:52 GMT

Editor’s note: Bill Kearney of the South Florida Sun Sentinel recently headed out to the Everglades, where the state’s annual Python Challenge is underway. I pull up at dusk to a half-dozen kids loitering at a remote, darkened gas station. These kids aren’t looking for trouble, though. They’re looking for pythons.Specifically I’m here to meet record-holders Jake Waleri and Steve Gauta, two college-aged cousins who gained fame last month when Waleri yanked a 19-foot Burmese python from the swamp — the longest ever captured in Florida.On a Monday night, the duo hits the swamps in an attempt to win Florida’s 10th annual Python Challenge. The 10-day contest, which is coming to a close Sunday, doles out $10,000 to whoever catches the most pythons.A few of their friends will be helping out. “The more eyeballs the better,” says Gauta as he hands me a spotlight.We all hop into the back of two pickup trucks and head out on the dark roads that cut through Big Cypress Preserve, 30 miles east o...

Single family residence sells in Saratoga for $3.2 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:52 GMT

18277 Purdue Drive – Google Street ViewA house located in the 18200 block of Purdue Drive in Saratoga has a new owner. The 1,956-square-foot property, built in 1957, was sold on July 25, 2023, for $3,160,000, or $1,616 per square foot. This single-story house has three bedrooms and two baths. On the exterior, the house is characterized by the use of wood shake roofing / shingles. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. In addition, the house is equipped with a one-car garage, offering a dedicated parking spot and storage area. Situated on a spacious 7,956-square-foot lot, the property offers ample outdoor space.Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby:On Vanderbilt Drive, Saratoga, in June 2023, a 1,200-square-foot home was sold for $1,840,000, a price per square foot of $1,533. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In June 2023, a 1,723-square-foot home on Clemson Avenue in Saratoga sold for $2,600,500, a price per square foot of $1,509. The hom...

How to adjust your travel plans for Maui during the wildfires

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:52 GMT

Emma Fox | (TNS) Los Angeles TimesThe Hawaiian island of Maui is asking visitors to stay away as it tries to recover from devastating wildfires.Officials said Thursday morning that two of the three fires on Maui were largely contained. But the damage to portions of the island is extensive, particularly in the tourism-heavy region of West Maui, where fire appears to have incinerated much of the historic town of Lahaina.The Kahului Airport on Maui remains open, at least in part because of all the people being evacuated (officials have asked all visitors on “non-essential” trips to leave). With the wildfires causing more than 50 deaths and an estimated $8 billion to $10 billion in damage and economic losses, the Hawaiian government is strongly discouraging tourists from coming to the island.If you had a vacation planned, this is what you need to know.Should I cancel my trip to Hawaii?The state tourism authority emphasized that most parts of Hawaii continue to welcome visitors. “Travel ...

Oakland man charged with chasing down and killing woman, attempting to kill her would-be rescuer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:52 GMT

OAKLAND — A 36-year-old man has been charged with chasing down a Seattle native, then standing over her and shooting her at close range as she lied, injured, on the sidewalk, court records show.Victor Sledge, of Oakland, was charged with murdering 27-year-old Nicole Marcy, an Oakland resident and Seattle native. Sledge has also been charged with attempted murder and assault with a firearm for allegedly shooting a man who showed up to rescue Marcy, court records show.Marcy was shot and killed around 4:45 a.m. on July 19. Video surveillance shows her killer chasing her off International Boulevard and firing at her as she ran away. She was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground on the 1200 block of 18th Avenue, then the man caught up with her and shot her several more times at close range, police said.The 39-year-old man who arrived in a vehicle to rescue Marcy was struck in the legs, but able to get himself to Highland Hospital without help from paramedics, authorities said.Su...

Petaluma burglary suspect arrested after police deploy taser

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:52 GMT

(KRON) -- A burglary suspect was taken into custody Sunday following a foot chase that ended when officers deployed a taser, according to the Petaluma Police Department. Petaluma PD dispatch got a call at around 2:07 a.m. Sunday from someone reporting that they heard gunshots followed by glass breaking in the area around Aroyo Center.Officers responded, arriving within a few minutes of the 911 call. The responding officers located a broken window at a business within the center. They called for anyone inside to come out. Woman’s body found at Golden Gate Park A short while later, the suspect, later identified as Yony Rodas, came out the front door. Officers commanded Rodas to show his hands and surrender. According to police, he refused to comply and took off on foot.Officers gave chase and pursued Rodas through Arroyo Center toward a residential neighborhood. Fearing the suspect was armed due to the initial reports, an officer chasing Rodas deployed his taser, according to police...

Firefighters respond to structure fire in South San Jose

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:52 GMT

(BCN) -- Firefighters are battling a first-alarm structure fire at a residence in the 2200 block of Lucretia Avenue in South San Jose, fire officials said Monday. A partial road closure is in effect at the location of the fire, which was first reported on social media about 8:13 a.m. by the San Jose Fire Department. Federal workers in SF told to work from home due to safety concerns: reports Residents and motorists are advised to use caution around firefighting personnel and equipment at the scene. Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

SWAT team deployed on suspect who brandished firearm at Vallejo residence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:52 GMT

(KRON) -- A man was arrested on Saturday for brandishing a firearm along with numerous other charges, according to the Vallejo Police Department. Officers responded to a report of a man brandishing what appeared to be an assault rifle at residents in the 100 block of Ladera Drive around noon. The suspect, Rahul Kumar, refused to exit the residence, police said. Kumar had a warrant out for his arrest for violating multiple felonies. SWAT personnel, VPD's Special Weapons, crisis negotiation and tech teams were all activated. Kumar refused to surrender despite communications between him and VPD's Emergency Services Unit, according to officials. Human remains found during search for Katherine Schneider SWAT officers deployed less-lethal chemical agents into the residence which resulted in Kumar fleeing outside the back entrance. He was apprehended by officers before he could escape, VPD said. Kumar was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, terroristic threats, cruelty to an anima...

Taylor Swift boosted Silicon Valley economy by $33M

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:52 GMT

Swiftie or not, pop star Taylor Swift is undeniably a money magnet -- and new financial figures show a massive boost for Silicon Valley's economy from the artist's two-day stop at Levi's Stadium. Dan Rascher, president of Sports Economics, LLC, who analyzes the business of sporting events and concerts, told San Jose Spotlight that 60,000 swifties packed the stadium July 28 and 29 for Swift's Eras Tour. Rascher said 70 percent of attendees were out-of-towners, higher than the average 50-65 percent visitors Levi's Stadium typically sees. Traveling swifties spent $19 million on lodging, food and entertainment in Santa Clara County through the pop star's tour stop, he said, who'd already coughed up sometimes thousands of dollars for tickets. Large fight breaks out near Golden Gate Park Sunday "That leads to a total economic impact of around $33.5 million," Rascher told San Jose Spotlight. "That money gets respent in town over time, and that usually takes a few months." Swift...

Federal workers in SF told to work from home due to safety concerns: reports

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:52 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Federal workers at the Nancy Pelosi Federal Building in San Francisco have reportedly been told for work from home for the foreseeable future due to safety concerns, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The federal building, located on the corner of Seventh and Mission streets, is home to agencies that include the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the office of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.According to the newspaper, an official with the Department of Health and Human Services issued the work-from-home advisory in a memo to regional leaders earlier this month. Woman’s body found at Golden Gate Park "In light of the conditions at the (Federal Building) we recommend employees ... maximize the use of telework for the foreseeable future," read a portion of the memo cited by the Chronicle. "This recommendation should be extended to all Region IX employees, including those ...

Mountain lion spotted in Menlo Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:52 GMT

(BCN) -- Menlo Park residents are being advised to keep an eye out for a mountain lion that was spotted in the Sharon Heights area Monday morning, according to police. At about 8:45 a.m., Menlo Park police issued an advisory saying a lion was seen along the back fence line at the Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club. Wildlife officials said that since the big cat didn't appear to be aggressive, it didn't represent an immediate danger to the community, according to police. This endangered species was sought in Tulare County There have been several mountain lions sightings in and around populated Bay Area communities since the start of the year, including in Petaluma, San Jose, Cotati, Yountville and Stockton. In January, a child was attacked by a lion in unincorporated San Mateo County. Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.