What you need to know about changes to Paso Robles’ downtown parking program

If you’re used to two hours of free parking in downtown Paso Robles, your time is almost up. Right now, visitors to downtown Paso Robles can park for free for the first two hours. After that, its $2 per hour. The idea behind free parking for two hours was to be a convenience for customers,” said business owner and Paso Robles resident Robert Fash. “The average stay downtown is probably within the two-hour gap.” But beginning in early 2024, parking will be $1 per hour from minute one. Parking signage and kiosk operation will also be improved for clarity. The city council voted 3-2 to make the changes. Mayor John Hamon said the goal is to make the parking program pay for itself. Now that we have removed the free parking and we are at a dollar an hour from minute one, we will see revenue go into the black, pay off the debt, keep spaces available, with an opportunity to possibly gain additional dollars to reinvest back into this area of parking,” Hamon said. For some locals, parking a few blocks away to avoid

Julefest 2023: What to know about Solvang’s annual holiday festivities

For the coming weeks, the historic Danish village of Solvang has transformed into a winter wonderland. It is all part of the citys annual Julefest celebration, and we caught up with organizers, businesses and visitors for an inside look at what to expect. It is so much fun! The first thing we have of course is all the lights and the decorations, said Susan Lee, Solvang Visitor Center manager. While crews were putting the finishing touches on the holiday displays at Solvang Park on Monday, Ian Arguelles and his family were taking in the Danish culture. Just walking around, taking in all the sights, the Scandinavian or more specifically, Danish, architecture, Arguelles said. Just seeing the Danish flavor in this little part of California. Arguelles says during his familys vacation in Solvang, he has explored the town, checked out local businesses and sat in on the nightly Julefest light show. Last night I saw a little light show! Just a crowd of people jamming out, dancing. It was kind of nice to see, even before the Christmas holiday has started, people are still in that

Electric motorcycle sparks fire at Pacifica home

PACIFICA – An electric motorcycle sparked a fire at a Pacifica home Monday afternoon, authorities said. The fire was reported just before 2:45 p.m. in the 1200 block of Lerida Way, near Terra Nova High School, according to the North County Fire Authority. Crews arrived to find fire and smoke coming from the two-car garage of a single-family residence. Two residents who were home at the time managed to evacuate without injury, authorities said. Crews knocked down the fire, which ultimately caused fire and smoke damage to the garage, as well as smoke damage to the second story, according to the fire authority. The cause of the blaze – an “electrical malfunction within a charging motorcycle” – was determined to be accidental, authorities said. A spokesperson for the fire authority did not immediately return a message seeking additional details about the incident. The fire displaced the residents, who made temporary housing arrangements, authorities said. No firefighters were injured. Check back for updates.

Fountain Valley Police Seek Hit-and-Run Driver

Fountain Valley police Monday asked for the public’s help to catch a hit-and-run driver who seriously injured a motorcyclist. The collision occurred about 4:50 p.m. Nov. 18 at Ward Street and Calle Independcia, police said. A white SUV going north on Ward Street in the left lane switched lanes, cutting off the motorcyclist, who veered right and slammed into a parked vehicle, police said. The SUV then ran over the motorcyclist, police said. The victim — a 27-year-old man from Orange — was expected to survive his injuries, police said. Police suspect the vehicle was a 2001-2007 white Toyota Highlander. Anyone who may have information helpful to detectives was asked to call 714-593-4481.

King/Drew tries to help City Section basketball get back on track

One by one, longtime City Section basketball observers have already concluded this season’s collection of teams is the weakest in years, if not ever. King/Drew coach Lloyd Webster is asking for patience. “We’re still recovering from COVID,” he said Monday after his team’s 66-51 win over Sylmar in an opening game of the Maranatha tournament. “We still have kids lacking basketball fundamentals. They play 80 games of travel ball and 28 of real basketball.” King/Drew (1-1) will probably end up as a City Section Open Division title contender, as it usually does, but it has lots of young players. Freshman Semaj Howard scored 14 points against the Spartans. Sophomore Jayshawn Kibble had 20 points. For Sylmar, freshman Joseph Dickson scored 22 points. King/Drew put together a powerful surge late in the game to pull away. Webster is confident his team will be much better by February and March. He just needs practice and game time to get his players to believe in each other. His 6-foot-4 sophomore son, Josahn, is a starter, and it’s an interesting dynamic. “I’m trying to spend more time being dad

Inside the most lopsided loss of LeBron James’ career: ‘A lot’ needs to change

PHILADELPHIA —  LeBron James sat on the end of the Lakers’ bench in Philadelphia, a city he hasn’t won a game in since 2017 and watched the numbers on the scoreboard turn. On a night where he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most combined minutes played in the NBA’s regular season and playoffs, the 21-year veteran experienced a new low. Never had his team ever lost this badly — the 76ers beating the Lakers 138-94 — a 44-point margin of defeat to establish a career worst. “What needs to change in order for that not to happen again?” he said, repeating a reporter’s question. “Um, a lot.” Asked for specifics, James declined to provide any. “A lot,” he repeated. Following a good win Saturday in Cleveland, the Lakers seemed unraveled after getting blown out in Philadelphia, with James being uncharacteristically brief and Anthony Davis predicting an intense film session Tuesday. (Matt Slocum / Associated Press) “There’s an opportunity for us to talk about it. And look at it. This is what we can’t have,” Davis said. “But you have to quickly flush it because we have

Man sentenced in $7M scam targeting local Orthodox Jewish community

A 58-year-old Sherman Oaks man was sentenced to nearly seven and a half years in federal prison Monday for scamming fellow members of a San Fernando Orthodox Jewish Israeli community out of more than $7 million through an investment company he and his brother operated out of their parents’ home, authorities announced.   Sassi Mizrahi was found guilty on five counts of wire fraud and, along with the 87 months of prison time, was ordered to pay some $4.47 million in restitution.   His brother, 51-year-old Encino resident Motty Mizrahi, pleaded guilty in January of this year to six counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.   From June 2012 to March 2019, the Mizrahi brothers fraudulently raised millions of dollars from at least 40 investors in their community, promising them “guaranteed” returns of 2% and 3% a month and annual rates between 30% and 102%, according to a news release from the United States Department of Justice, Central District of California.   The brothers also assured their victims that their money could be withdrawn on an on-demand basis after an

Crews battling massive sinkhole, burst water pipe in Hacienda Heights

Crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department were responding to a Hacienda Heights neighborhood after reports of a large sinkhole forming due to a possible water main break Monday, authorities confirmed to KTLA.   Calls about the sinkhole, located in the area of East Edgeridge and East Tamarix drives, came into the fire department at around 6:25 p.m.   L.A. County first responders on the scene of a water main burst in Hacienda Heights on Nov. 27, 2023. (KTLA) L.A. County first responders on the scene of a water main burst in Hacienda Heights on Nov. 27, 2023. (KTLA) L.A. County first responders on the scene of a water main burst in Hacienda Heights on Nov. 27, 2023. (KTLA) L.A. County first responders on the scene of a water main burst in Hacienda Heights on Nov. 27, 2023. (KTLA) L.A. County first responders on the scene of a water main burst in Hacienda Heights on Nov. 27, 2023. (KTLA) Video of the scene captured by Sky5 showed a heavy flow of water and mud in the 2300 block of Avocado Terrace with at least

Pablo Guzmán, veteran reporter and co-founder of New York’s Young Lords Party, dies

(Photo illustration by Diana Ramirez / De Los; Photos by Associated Press) Renowned New York City reporter and co-founder of New York’s Young Lords Party Pablo Guzmán has died at age 73. Guzmán suffered a heart attack Sunday, according to CBS New York. Born in Spanish Harlem and raised in the South Bronx, Guzmán graduated from Bronx High School of Science and attended the State University of New York at Old Westbury. During his college years, he became a co-founder of the Young Lords Party in New York. Inspired by the Black Panthers, the group was a Puerto Rican revolution party fighting for neighborhood empowerment and the self-determination of Latinos. In addition to acting as one of the group’s main spokesmen, Guzmán was also the minister of information. In that role, he produced and hosted a weekly radio show for the Young Lords, edited their weekly newsletter Palante and helped the organization grow in various other cities. Toward the end of the Vietnam War, Guzmán refused to report for the draft as an act of protest. He was subsequently imprisoned for nine months on a

A 50-foot-tall Christmas tree, singers and a bell choir light up downtown LA

A crowd let out “oohs” as 3,500 colorful lights adorning the 50-foot-tall Christmas tree suddenly turned on, ushering in the official 2023 Los Angeles County tree lighting on Monday, Nov. 27. Dozens of celebrators gathered around the base of the tree at the Jerry Moss Plaza in downtown Los Angeles between the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Ahmanson Theater in front of The Los Angeles Music Center. Some in the crowd were sipping free hot cocoa and munching on snacks. They showed their appreciation for the coordinated sound of hand-held bells and chimes from 15 student performers from the Valley Christian High School Handbell Choir based in Cerritos on the Los Angeles County-Orange County border. The handbell choir played holiday favorites from “White Christmas” to “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Carol of the Bells.” Visitors gather on the steps to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to look at the tree county Christmas tree which was lit in a ceremony Monday, November 27, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG) Children play in the lights at the LA County Tree lighting ceremony outside of the Dorothy Chandler

5-year-old Merced girl who died after being swept into water in Half Moon Bay identified

Tuesday, November 28, 2023 2:10AM HALF MOON BAY, Calif. — A five-year-old girl who died after being rescued at Martin’s Beach in Half Moon Bay on Saturday has been identified. The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office has identified the girl as Naretzi Navarrete of Merced. Navarrete and a 54-year-old man were swept by a wave at the beach on Saturday. Authorities rescued her and took her Stanford that evening. The Coast Guard announced Sunday she was pronounced dead. Before the announcement of her death, the Coast Guard suspended the search for the man who is still missing. The Coast Guard said crews searched for approximately 22 hours and scoured 100 square miles. The agency confirms the victims are related as grandfather and granddaughter. There was a Beach Hazard warning for the coastline this past weekend of potentially deadly sneaker waves. Copyright © 2023 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Expert explains new iPhone ‘NameDrop’ feature that’s gaining attention online

The new feature was added to the Apple iOS 17.1 update. By Alyana Gomez Tuesday, November 28, 2023 1:42AM PHILADELPHIA — The new Apple iOS 17.1 update is getting a lot of attention on social media after a “NameDrop” feature was recently added. The feature allows two iPhone users to share personal information — like photos, videos, and phone numbers — pretty quickly when two phones are tapped together. Police departments have been bringing attention to the new feature, but experts say both phone users need to approve the information before it’s swapped. “If both parties consent to allowing the swap of information then that can take place and you don’t have to go through the tedious process of typing in somebody’s name and phone number,” said Titiana Jordan, the chief parenting officer with Bark Technologies. “Another unfounded fear is that children’s contact information can be unwillingly shared with potential bad actors, and that’s typically not the case,” she added. Jordan says dual consent lowers the risk, but she encourages parents to talk with their children. NameDrop will automatically be enabled with the update, so

Fresno State Marching Band aims for $75,000 prize in Metallica competition

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The Fresno State Marching band is hoping heavy metal will help bring home the big bucks. Earlier this month, the Fresno State Marching Band wasted no time breaking out the guitar and making formation changes on the field. The group had been practicing for months to perfect this performance. That’s because it was part of an online competition with other major schools. “This has never been done before. I’ve never even heard of this until this past spring when I got an email out of the blue from the band,” Fresno State Marching Band Director Steve McKeithen said. “The band” was Grammy award-winning heavy metal band Metallica. They created the “For Whom the Band Tolls” marching band competition with colleges and high schools from around the country. Metallica provided 13 of their songs for schools to choose from and the chance to win thousands of dollars in prize money. The winner of Fresno State’s division takes home $75,000. “This would almost double my budget,” McKeithen said. McKeithen says the money would be a game changer and allow them to purchase new

Merchandise stolen from DripOnDrip shoe store in River Park

The break-in comes just days before the store celebrates its one-year anniversary. Tuesday, November 28, 2023 12:55AM FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A small business at Fresno’s River Park Shopping Center is in need of major repair after a break-in. Security footage shows a group of suspects smash the windows at the DripOnDrip shoe store off of Nees and Blackstone. This happened within minutes just after 4 am Monday. Video shows the suspects pulling merchandise from clothing racks, before taking off in two cars. Roman Gonzales is the store owner and is still working to figure out how much was taken. He says this was a major loss during the holidays. The break-in comes just days before the store celebrates its one-year anniversary. They were also ready to show off merchandise at an upcoming expo next month. If you have any information about this break-in, you’re asked to call Fresno Police. A GoFundMe has been started to help the business. For news updates, follow Amanda Aguilar on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Copyright © 2023 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.