Henry Cervantes, Mexican American farmworker turned WWII fighter pilot, dies at 100

Henry Cervantes was a Fresno-born, 19-year-old son of Mexican farmworkers when the Navy told him in 1942 that he could not fight for his country. An enlistment officer sent him home, saying the Navy didn’t take Mexicans, Filipinos or Black people. In an interview with the American Patriots of Latino Heritage, Cervantes said he directed a couple of choice epithets at the officer and declared, “I’ll prove you wrong,” before running out the door. He found a spot instead in the Army and the Army Air Force, where he flew more than two dozen missions as part of the “Bloody 100th” Bomb Group. He later served as a test pilot and flight instructor, among other roles, before retiring as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force in the mid-1960s. Cervantes lived to see his 100th birthday before his death on April 7 at his home in Playa Vista. The centenarian is remembered by his friends as a man with “impeccable diction” and gentle spirit, but he was no shrinking violet. Cervantes was born on Oct. 9, 1923, to a young Mexican couple, María Rincón and

Opinion: Is planting trees on Arbor Day one way we can all fight climate change? Not so much

Arbor Day has its roots in the 1870s, when the horticulturist J. Sterling Morton spearheaded a movement to green Nebraska’s largely treeless plains. Since then, citizens, businesses and governments have marked April 26 by planting trees in schoolyards, parks and neighborhoods. In recent years, tree-planting has been touted as no less than a means of empowering people to combat climate change. Gratifying and photographable, planting a tree seems to be a small but tangible act that almost anyone can undertake to reduce their carbon footprint and feel good about it. The science, however, suggests a more strategic use of our time and resources. Newly planted trees take many years to become effective carbon sinks. By contrast, properly caring for the forests we already have — and letting them grow older — can make a huge difference immediately. Instead of simply mass-planting saplings on Arbor Day or any other occasion, governments, businesses and people should look for ways to restore and conserve forests. The hard truth is that a singular focus on planting can cause us to literally and figuratively miss the forest — and its

USC’s Caleb Williams, UCLA’s Laiatu Latu are top pick and top defender taken in draft

DETROIT —  First offensive player selected in the NFL draft: USC. First defensive player: UCLA. But how could we have guessed there would be so many picks between Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams going No. 1 to Chicago and Bruins edge rusher Laiatu Latu going 15th to Indianapolis? Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, has clear goals in the coming weeks and months: “Learn all my teammates’ names, their families, learn the playbook and get ready to go win games.” Chicago had the opening selection for the first time since 1947, and followed that by picking Washington receiver Rome Odunze at No. 9. It was a bizarre first round Thursday night, with half of the first 12 selections being quarterbacks, tying the opening-round record of that historic 1983 draft that included future Hall of Famers John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. Even the Atlanta Falcons used their first pick on a quarterback, Washington’s Michael Penix, a head-scratcher of a decision seeing as that club signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180-million deal last month. (Jeff Lewis / Associated Press) In order, the quarterbacks chosen Thursday were

You’re gonna need a bigger number: Scientists consider a Category 6 for mega-hurricane era

In 1973, the National Hurricane Center introduced the Saffir-Simpson scale, a five-category rating system that classified hurricanes by wind intensity. At the bottom of the scale was Category 1, for storms with sustained winds of 74 to 95 mph. At the top was Category 5, for disasters with winds of 157 mph or more. In the half-century since the scale’s debut, land and ocean temperatures have steadily risen as a result of greenhouse gas emissions. Hurricanes have become more intense, with stronger winds and heavier rainfall. With catastrophic storms regularly blowing past the 157-mph threshold, some scientists argue, the Saffir-Simpson scale no longer adequately conveys the threat the biggest hurricanes present. Earlier this year, two climate scientists published a paper that compared historical storm activity to a hypothetical version of the Saffir-Simpson scale that included a Category 6, for storms with sustained winds of 192 mph or more. Of the 197 hurricanes classified as Category 5 from 1980 to 2021, five fit the description of a hypothetical Category 6 hurricane: Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, Hurricane Patricia in 2015, Typhoon Meranti in 2016, Typhoon Goni in

Art Deco and dignity inspire multi-hyphenate comedian Katie Cazorla’s new club, the Kookaburra Lounge

Most comedy clubs in L.A. can book a lineup on any given night, but it’s the special venues that know how to treat comedians properly when they walk in the door. For Katie Cazorla, that starts with giving them respect. “Comics should never have to pay for drinks when they’re performing,” Cazorla says. “If you perform and you get a tab, that’s bull—. You just provided the entertainment.” Since 1999, Cazorla’s life in L.A. has included living out of her car, starring in a pair of reality series — “Nail Files” and “Second Wives Club” — being involved in animal rescue and becoming a Hollywood restaurateur, a Studio City wellness owner and a multi-hyphenate comic-writer-live producer. As owner of the new Kookaburra Lounge comedy venue, Cazorla is intent on maximizing comfort — of performers and audience members — above exorbitant club cover charges. The “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” guest knew she wasn’t alone in her frustrations with traditional venues. Cazorla recalls one day posting a question on on Instagram, “’What are the top one or two things you cannot stand about comedy clubs?’ People were DM-ing

Biden touts labor endorsements, but members worry about Trump’s “cultish” support

By Aaron Navarro April 26, 2024 / 6:00 AM EDT / CBS News Where Biden and Trump stand on labor issues Where Biden and Trump stand on labor issues 05:20 Washington — President Biden often calls himself the most “pro-union president in history,” and the ballroom packed with labor members Wednesday needed no more convincing. The crowd at the North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) conference booed at the sight of former President Donald Trump during an video before Mr. Biden’s speech, with some chanting “lock him up!” before the president took the stage.  “Donald Trump is incapable of running anything,” said NABTU president Sean McGarvey in the video, where the union announced its endorsement of Mr. Biden. Seeking to contrast himself with Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Mr. Biden said “Trump preferred non-union workers in his real estate projects,” and added his predecessor put “union busters” on the National Labor Relations Board. Nearly all the major labor unions have endorsed Mr. Biden. The board of the AFL-CIO, which represents 60 unions and has over 12 million members, was one of the first to

Trump trial moves to cross-examination of first witness

David Pecker will end his week where he began: on the stand in former President Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial . The former National Enquirer publisher was the first witness called to the stand after opening statements Monday. Over hours of testimony over three days, Pecker described a scheme in which he agreed to spend tens of thousands of dollars to purchase the rights to stories that might embarrass Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign in order to keep them from being made public, a process known as “catch and kill.” On Thursday, Pecker said that arrangement led him to pay $150,000 to the model Karen McDougal, who claimed to have had an affair with Trump in 2006. Trump denies that relationship. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges relate to reimbursements to his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who paid adult film star Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim of a sexual encounter with Trump days before the 2016 election. Pecker said he remembered speaking to Cohen about Daniels and refusing to buy her story. Pecker

Black man’s death in police custody probed after release of body cam video

April 26, 2024 / 5:38 AM EDT / CBS/AP Toledo, Ohio — An Ohio man who was handcuffed and left facedown on the floor of a social club last week died in police custody, and the officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave. Police body-camera footage released Wednesday shows a Canton police officer responding to a report of a crash and finding Frank Tyson, a 53-year-old East Canton resident, by the bar in a nearby American Veterans, or AMVETS, post. The crash at about 8 p.m. on April 18 had severed a utility pole. Officer Beau Schoenegge’s body-camera footage shows that after a passing motorist directed police to the bar, a woman opened the door and said: “Please get him out of here, now.” Police grabbed Tyson and he resisted being handcuffed and said repeatedly, “They’re trying to kill me” and “Call the sheriff,” as he was taken to the floor. This image, taken from Canton Police body camera video, shows 53-year-old Frank E. Tyson on April 18, 2024, in Canton, Ohio. Police say Tyson, a resident of East Canton, was arrested in

Don’t just track your steps: 4 health points to monitor on your smartwatch

By Sara Moniuszko Edited By Paula Cohen April 26, 2024 / 5:00 AM EDT / CBS News Tracking your health data through wearable devices Tracking your health data through wearable devices 05:48 From smart wearables like the Apple Watch or Garmin trackers to the celebrity-sported Oura ring and trendy WHOOP strap, health tech has come a long way from just tracking your steps. “There’s lots of different metrics now that we can begin to look at,” says Dr. Davin Lundquist, family physician and chief medical officer at Augmedix. “Anytime that we can have a greater awareness of our health and paying attention to it, it tends to influence behavior in a positive way.” Here are four that doctors say can be useful to monitor: Sleep  Most healthy adults can benefit from sleep tracking to some level, says Dr. Carlos M. Nunez, chief medical officer at medical device company ResMed. “Many users aren’t tracking the right information and can end up fixating or misinterpreting the data rather than observing the larger trends that the trackers can help to indicate,” Nunez says. “Users should start by tracking

Stressed out? Founder of this upcoming festival says you should ‘fly a kite’

The Morro Bay Kite Festival returns this weekend. The family-friendly event is scheduled to take place all weekend Friday night and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Hundreds of kites will take flight throughout the weekend, with 500 free kites provided to kids through Central Coast Funds for Children. “It’s just an amazing event,” said Shaun Farmer, the founder of the Morro Bay Kite Festival. “Where you can come with your family enjoy relax.” The Friday night flight will include kites with LED lights. Event organizers tried to do a night flight last year which didn’t end up working out. This year may be the first successful attempt if the wind cooperates. “There’s something about being in control of that kite up in the air and watching it fly,” Farmer said. “It’s just soothing … I tell people all the time: ‘You want to lose stress? Go fly a kite.'” The event is free to attend for community members of all ages. You can learn more on the Morro Bay Kite Festival website.

‘Something for everyone’: San Luis Obispo International Film Festival kicks off

The 30th annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival is taking place through April 30. Skye McLennan, the executive director for the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, says the six-day event has something for everyone. I would say that we truly have something for everyone, said McLennan. We have narratives, documentaries, short films. We have films about sports like surfing, skateboarding this year. Theres no genre that we dont cover here at the festival. Even horror actually. She says seeing the audience’s reaction makes all the effort worth it. Seeing people laugh, cry, enjoy themselves, said McLennan. Thats what we work all year long on is bringing the people together. It means so much. The directors and writers told KSBY News that it’s an honor to participate in the festival. This is terrific, said David R. Hardberger, “Homecoming” short film director. Im glad that theyre doing this here. It gives independence. It gives people like myself short films. It gives people an opportunity to get out there and see it. Its stunning,” said Kelly OSullivan, “Ghostlight” film director and writer. “Even just walking into

One dead in crash with semi-truck on I-5 near Camp Pendleton

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — At least one person is dead after a car collided with a semi-truck on Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton Thursday night, according to California Highway Patrol. The collision was reported just before 9 p.m., near the Cockleburr Road overpass. According to CHP logs, a sedan was traveling at high rates of speed along the southbound lanes when the driver lost control and struck the semi-truck, which was on the right hand side of the road. Smoke was reportedly visible following the crash, law enforcement added. At least one person was reported deceased as a result of the crash. No additional information on any other injuries in the crash or the chain of events that led to the crash was immediately available. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

No bomb found after threat called in to UC San Diego

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — UC San Diego sent out an emergency alert to students Thursday night reporting a possible bomb threat on campus. After a thorough search, no threats to safety were found. The “Triton Alert” was sent out around 8:20 p.m. According to the alert, the bomb threat was reportedly impacting Atkinson Hall, a classroom and event space in the Warren Mall area of campus. In a statement, a spokesperson for UCSD said Atkinson Hall was evacuated and the area surrounding it has been cleared of people. The building was cleared of any safety hazards around 11 p.m. No additional details were immediately available about who called in the threat. The university said they are investigating and requested support from other agencies, including San Diego Fire-Rescue. In a post on Instagram earlier in the night, UCSD law enforcement asked students and the public to stay away from the Atkinson Hall area “until further notice.” A road closure also appeared to be in place on Voigt Drive from Hopkins Drive to Equality Lane while crews were on scene. All closures have since been lifted.

Clovis Rodeo expected to bring $30 million boost to local economy

Friday, April 26, 2024 6:33AM The Clovis Rodeo is back. Every year, tens of thousands of people fill the stands. CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) — The Clovis Rodeo is back. Every year, tens of thousands of people fill the stands. Clancy Wardle, president of the Clovis Rodeo Association, says a packed house significantly boosts the local economy. “When the rodeo comes to town, it always has a big impact on the city, and the city is always great about working with us. Bringing all these people into town, into the bars and restaurants, so it’s a big impact, bringing on 15 to 16 million a year,” said Wardle. Cora Shipley, owner of Soups, Scoops and More in Old Town Clovis, says her business has been around for 35 years and always notices an uptick in sales. “It brings a lot of out of town, and it always helps, and local people come into town, and anything with the cowboys, they love!” Shipley said. Shirley also adjusted her store hours to accommodate the busy influx of traffic before and after the rodeo. The City of Clovis’ business

Big turn out for day two of the Clovis Rodeo

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) — Gates opened up a few hours ago to excited Clovis Rodeo fans on Thursday evening The Clovis Rodeo is anticipating a big turnout, especially heading into the weekend. Country music artist Michael Ray also performed on Thursday night. Organizers said they really take pride in making this an affordable event for families to come and enjoy. Rodeo fans dressed in their cowboy hats and boots came out on Thursday evening, to catch all the action in Old Town Clovis. From bareback riding to steer wrestling, people were excited and having a good time. “You’re going to see the best of the best cowboys,” said Mark Thompson, with the Clovis Rodeo Association’s Board of Directors. “We have the prize money, $50,000, this year to get more of the best contestants here.” Contestants travel from all over the country to be part of the Clovis Rodeo. But some are even coming from even as far as Canada, Mexico, and Australia. “This is a world where contestants work their whole lives to become good at what they do,” said Wayne Brooks, who serves as

Fresno native Xavier Worthy drafted in first round by the Kansas City Chiefs

WEATHER ALERT High Wind Warning WATCH LIVE Welcome, Manage MyDisney Account Log Out On the journey to the NFL Draft, Worthy broke the NFL Combine’s 40-yard dash record. Friday, April 26, 2024 6:25AM Fresno native and Central High alum Xavier Worthy has been selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 NFL Draft. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The Central High School alum is off the board. Xavier Worthy has been drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowls with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He’s the first player from Central California taken in the first round since Firebaugh’s Josh Allen was taken 7th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. RELATED: Xavier Worthy gifts childhood coach with 98″ TV Worthy’s career with the Texas Longhorns ended with a College Football Playoff semi-final appearance against the Washington Huskies, who were headed by former Bulldogs head coach Kalen DeBoer. Xavier Worthy reacts to being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs during a watch party with his loved ones

Cultiva La Salud offers free fitness dance classes for Parlier community

The fitness dance classes happen every Monday from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at Parlier High School’s cafeteria. Friday, April 26, 2024 6:03AM A local organization is taking action to improve the well-being of Latinas in rural areas of Fresno County. FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — A local organization is taking action to improve the well-being of Latinas in rural areas of Fresno County. Cultiva La Salud is now offering fitness classes in Parlier. Get ready to move and groove! You also don’t want to forget a towel because the class will have you sweating. “These classes combine cardio and dance,” explained Evelyn Morales, project coordinator. The non-profit is partnering with Parlier Unified to host the free classes to Latinas in the community. “Community members living in the rural areas of Fresno County have high incidence rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, just to name a few,” Morales said. “This can be attributed to limited opportunity to engage in physical activity.” Cultiva La Salud wants to offer a safe and fun way to promote healthy and active living. According to Morales, taking

Frustración y enojo tras otro colapso de los Lakers ante Nuggets en Juego 3

Los Lakers volvieron a tener ventaja de dos dígitos este jueves, al igual que los primeros dos encuentros de la primera ronda de los playoffs contra los Nuggets de Denver, pero de la misma forma que en el Juego 1 y 2, volvieron a caer ante los actuales campeones de la NBA. La última versión de ese colapso ocurrió este jueves en casa en la derrota por 112-105 en el Juego 3 de la serie de playoffs, dejando a Los Ángeles a un solo paso de la eliminación. El cuarto partido de esta serie, de siete juegos a ganar cuatro, está programado para el sábado a las 5:30 p.m. (ABC) en Los Ángeles. Ningún equipo en la historia de los playoffs de la NBA se ha levantado de una desventaja de 3-0 en una serie. “Nuestra mentalidad ahora es ganar uno. Ganamos uno y luego vamos pensando de ahí hacia delante. Necesitamos ganar el sábado”, expresó Anthony Davis con más desilusión que desesperación en su voz. Y es fácil estar desilusionado cuando los Lakers llegaron a estar arriba por 12 puntos en el Juego 1

Sale closed in San Jose: $4.2 million for a four-bedroom home

7008 Calabazas Creek Circle – Google Street View A spacious house located in the 7000 block of Calabazas Creek Circle in San Jose has new owners. The 2,903-square-foot property, built in 1993, was sold on April 10, 2024, for $4,160,000, or $1,433 per square foot. This two-story home boasts a generous living space with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. In addition, the home includes a two-car garage, offering generous space for vehicles and storage requirements. The property occupies a sizable 6,300-square-foot lot. These nearby houses have also recently been sold: In March 2023, a 3,209-square-foot home on Calabazas Creek Circle in San Jose sold for $3,350,000, a price per square foot of $1,044. The home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. A 3,018-square-foot home on the 1400 block of Buckthorne Way in San Jose sold in August 2023, for $3,750,000, a price per square foot of $1,243. The home has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. On Longfellow Way, San Jose, in April 2023, a 1,472-square-foot home was sold for $2,570,500, a price per square foot of $1,746. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Deported veteran dies while waiting to return home to US

SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Jesus “Chuy” Juarez was only 17 when he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He’d convinced his parents to sign a waiver so recruiters would allow him to sign up, and he served for three years during the Vietnam War. While taking part in a military training exercise, he fell off a truck and was badly hurt. The injuries he suffered on that day were misdiagnosed and never treated properly, according to family and friends. After 17 years, deported veteran who helped others like him, finally returns home to US “That accident back in 1975 caused him a life from that point forward of pain,” said Robert Vivar, of the Unified U.S. Deported Veterans Resource Center. “He struggled to be able to deal with the pain from the injuries he sustained.” Robert Vivar is with the Unified U.S. Deported Veterans Resource Center. (Salvador Rivera/Border Report) Juarez also struggled with being away from home. He was raised in Sherman Heights near downtown San Diego. But he was deported for having undocumented migrants in his car and would spend almost 30 years waiting