Sunday, March 2, 2014
Nevada gambling win down 2.8 percent in January
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Lady luck favored Nevada gamblers in January, as casinos statewide posted a 2.8 percent drop in gambling revenue compared with the same month a year earlier, the state reported Friday.
Casinos raked in $884.2 million from gamblers, down from $909.3 million in January 2013, even though the amount wagered had increased by more than $375 million, the Gaming Control Board said.
"Volumes were up both for slots and tables, but we were impacted by hold issues, mainly table games and baccarat," said Mike Lawton, senior control board analyst.
The "hold percentage" is the portion of money gambled that the casinos win.
In January, the overall hold for card and table games was 11.87 percent, down from 12.17 percent in January 2013. But there was a big swing in the hold for baccarat, a high-roller game favored by Asian players: 8.9 percent in January versus 12 percent a year earlier.
On the Las Vegas Strip, home to the state's largest, posh resorts, casinos won $499.8 million, down 1.4 percent from $507 million. Downtown Las Vegas casinos' winnings of $43 million represented a drop of 3.4 percent.
Casinos in northern Nevada's Washoe County posted a slight uptick of 1 percent, with revenue of $53.3 million, while gambling halls in Reno took in $38 million, representing a 1.3 percent increase. South Lake Tahoe casinos' revenue of $14.7 million was off 12.4 percent.
The "win" is what was left in casino coffers after gamblers wagered $11.2 billion on slots, cards, dice and other games. A breakdown shows $8.5 billion was pumped into slot and video poker machines and $2.7 billion was bet on other casino games.
"Volumes were up both for slots and tables, but we were impacted by hold issues, mainly table games and baccarat," said Mike Lawton, senior control board analyst.
The "hold percentage" is the portion of money gambled that the casinos win.
In January, the overall hold for card and table games was 11.87 percent, down from 12.17 percent in January 2013. But there was a big swing in the hold for baccarat, a high-roller game favored by Asian players: 8.9 percent in January versus 12 percent a year earlier.
On the Las Vegas Strip, home to the state's largest, posh resorts, casinos won $499.8 million, down 1.4 percent from $507 million. Downtown Las Vegas casinos' winnings of $43 million represented a drop of 3.4 percent.
Casinos in northern Nevada's Washoe County posted a slight uptick of 1 percent, with revenue of $53.3 million, while gambling halls in Reno took in $38 million, representing a 1.3 percent increase. South Lake Tahoe casinos' revenue of $14.7 million was off 12.4 percent.
The "win" is what was left in casino coffers after gamblers wagered $11.2 billion on slots, cards, dice and other games. A breakdown shows $8.5 billion was pumped into slot and video poker machines and $2.7 billion was bet on other casino games.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
'Breatharian' Barbie Valeria Lukyanova Says She Wants To Live Off Light And Air Alone
A Ukrainian model who has cast herself as a real-life Barbie doll says she eventually hopes to live without eating or drinking.
Valeria Lukyanova, whose doll-like features and ultra-thin waist have stirred controversy in the past, has apparently made it her goal to survive "on air and light alone."
"In recent weeks I have not been hungry at all," Lukyanova said, according to the International Business Times. "I'm hoping it's the final stage before I can subsist on air and light alone."
The website linked that dietary desire to a New Age practice known as Breatharianism, in which followers neither neither eat nor drink, believing they can exist solely on "cosmic micro-food."
Lukyanova, who believes in reincarnation and claims to have been in contact with transdimensional beings, has said she uses her appearance to promote her "spiritual ideas."
But Jezebel.com maintains that Lukyanova is merely starving herself in order to maintain her dollish proportions.
J.P. McCARTHY
J. P. McCarthy was the morning voice of WJR/Detroit for over thirty years. McCarthy’s show was heard in 38 states and was rated number one in Detroit each year he was on the air.
J. P. McCarthy was born on March 22, 1936, in New York City. During his early years in radio, he gained experience at KFAR/Fairbanks and WTAC/Flint, before joining WJR/ Detroit as a staff announcer in 1956 and eventually “morning man” in 1958.
Except for a few years at KGO/San Francisco, McCarthy made WJR his on-air home for the rest of his career. For a number of years, he did both the morning and evening drive-time shows, then settled into the morning slot, as well as a noon-time show.
McCarthy’s unique blend of news, information, sports, entertainment, and interviews made him a legend in Detroit. Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer once attributed McCarthy’s success to making people feel at ease and genuinely caring about what they had to say.
In addition to his on-air excellence, McCarthy was also a civic leader and a significant supporter of local charities.
J. P. McCarthy died on August 16, 1995.
J. P. McCarthy was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1992, the first local broadcaster to be inducted.
The Frank Beckmann Show
Vladimir Putin now has troops in Crimea and you know he's going to punish the pro-west group that ousted the government of Ukraine.....Meantime, President Obama issues idle threats about joining the international community to affirm protest of the Russian strong arm actions and skipped today's meeting on the crisis by his own national security team.....Embarrasing.
"Ah yes, I remember it well ..................."
Well, who is the idiot now?
During the 2008 presidential campaign, Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin warned that if Senator Barack Obama were elected president, his “indecision” and “moral equivalence” may encourage Russia’s Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine.
Palin said then:
After the Russian Army invaded the nation of Georgia, Senator Obama’s reaction was one of indecision and moral equivalence, the kind of response that would only encourage Russia’s Putin to invade Ukraine next.
For those comments, she was mocked by the high-brow Foreign Policy magazine and its editor Blake Hounshell, who now is one of the editors of Politico magazine.
In light of recent events in Ukraine and concerns that Russia is getting its troops ready to cross the border into the neighboring nation, nobody seems to be laughing at or dismissing those comments now.
MILLER: Prideful president refuses to admit Obamacare is a disaster
By Emily Miller The Washington Times
President Obama is scrambling to put Band-Aids on the health care law instead of admitting that it is DOA.
He pushed Obamacare through Congress with the promise that it would help the 30 million uninsured Americans and not hurt the rest of us. Five years later, the government intrusion has disrupted the coverage of the more than 300 million Americans who were content with their insurance, and it is already dragging down the economy. Mr. Obama is trying to to hide the problems.
That’s why the White House announced Monday it would again push back the deadline for the mandate to kick in for companies with between 50 and 100 employees to 2016, which gets the negative economic impact to hit after the election.
This is just the latest in two dozen delays to Obamacare that the president has made — without consulting Congress.
On Tuesday, the president attempted to make the change to the employer mandate not seem like a political decision. In a joint press conference with President Francois Hollande of France, Mr. Obama said it was merely an “adjustment” to help midsize companies with compliance.
He said that “the purpose of the law is not to punish them,” but just force them to give health insurance to their employees.
If you are the owner of one of those companies who would be penalized (or taxed, as the Supreme Court calls it), it sure feels like punishment if you are struggling to pay for health insurance for your employees and keep your books balanced.
Mr. Obama took zero responsibility for the struggles that businesses are having in meeting the federal demands. He actually reached back 75 years to pin blame on President Franklin Roosevelt.
“We have a unique system compared to many parts of the world, including France,” the president told reporters. “Partly because of historical accident and some decisions that FDR made during wartime back in World War II, our health care has been much more tied to employers. That not the case in most other developed countries.”
A good follow-up question would have been: Mr. President, name one person who has traveled to France to get medical treatment, compared with the thousands around the world who flock to the United States for our top-notch doctors.
The government-run, European medical system that Mr. Obama seems to love makes medical care the equivalent of going to the DMV.
He pushed Obamacare through Congress with the promise that it would help the 30 million uninsured Americans and not hurt the rest of us. Five years later, the government intrusion has disrupted the coverage of the more than 300 million Americans who were content with their insurance, and it is already dragging down the economy. Mr. Obama is trying to to hide the problems.
That’s why the White House announced Monday it would again push back the deadline for the mandate to kick in for companies with between 50 and 100 employees to 2016, which gets the negative economic impact to hit after the election.
This is just the latest in two dozen delays to Obamacare that the president has made — without consulting Congress.
On Tuesday, the president attempted to make the change to the employer mandate not seem like a political decision. In a joint press conference with President Francois Hollande of France, Mr. Obama said it was merely an “adjustment” to help midsize companies with compliance.
He said that “the purpose of the law is not to punish them,” but just force them to give health insurance to their employees.
If you are the owner of one of those companies who would be penalized (or taxed, as the Supreme Court calls it), it sure feels like punishment if you are struggling to pay for health insurance for your employees and keep your books balanced.
Mr. Obama took zero responsibility for the struggles that businesses are having in meeting the federal demands. He actually reached back 75 years to pin blame on President Franklin Roosevelt.
“We have a unique system compared to many parts of the world, including France,” the president told reporters. “Partly because of historical accident and some decisions that FDR made during wartime back in World War II, our health care has been much more tied to employers. That not the case in most other developed countries.”
A good follow-up question would have been: Mr. President, name one person who has traveled to France to get medical treatment, compared with the thousands around the world who flock to the United States for our top-notch doctors.
The government-run, European medical system that Mr. Obama seems to love makes medical care the equivalent of going to the DMV.
Rain drenches Phoenix for first time in 2 months
PHOENIX (AP) - A 70-day streak without any precipitation in the Phoenix area finally came to an end Saturday.
A gray sky, showers and even some hail greeted residents of Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs.
A storm system originally expected to bring rain by Friday evening started just after midnight, the National Weather Service said.
Charlotte Dewey, a meteorologist, said there had been a few reports of “pea-sized hail” northwest of Phoenix in the cities of Deer Valley, Peoria and Sun City West.
As much as an inch of rain was reported in areas northwest and north of central Phoenix, including in the White Tank mountains and Deer Valley. Tempe and the north Scottsdale area have received anywhere from 0.8 to one inch of rain.
Valerie Meyers, also a meteorologist, said there was also a chance of isolated thunderstorms and wind gusts between 30 and 35 mph for the rest of the day. But the storm system would taper off by Sunday, she said.
“By tomorrow afternoon, we’re looking at a pretty nice day for the lower desert,” Meyers said.
A gray sky, showers and even some hail greeted residents of Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs.
A storm system originally expected to bring rain by Friday evening started just after midnight, the National Weather Service said.
Charlotte Dewey, a meteorologist, said there had been a few reports of “pea-sized hail” northwest of Phoenix in the cities of Deer Valley, Peoria and Sun City West.
As much as an inch of rain was reported in areas northwest and north of central Phoenix, including in the White Tank mountains and Deer Valley. Tempe and the north Scottsdale area have received anywhere from 0.8 to one inch of rain.
Valerie Meyers, also a meteorologist, said there was also a chance of isolated thunderstorms and wind gusts between 30 and 35 mph for the rest of the day. But the storm system would taper off by Sunday, she said.
“By tomorrow afternoon, we’re looking at a pretty nice day for the lower desert,” Meyers said.
Illinois readies for major winter snowstorm
CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois is bracing for another winter storm with snow, freezing rain and sleet in the forecast throughout the state. Cities are mobilizing snow removal crews and spreading anti-icing agents on primary routes, bridges and overpasses.
The National Weather Service predicts 7 to 10 inches of snow and sleet in the St. Louis area Saturday evening. A winter storm warning is in effect from 6 p.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Monday.
In central Illinois, the storm is expected to bring 6 to 8 inches of snow. Winds and an extended period of falling snow could make driving
dangerous with limited visibility and snowpack on roads.
The Chicago area is expecting snowfall accumulations of 4 to 6 inches. The weather service cautions that snow could be heavy at times making travel hazardous.
The National Weather Service predicts 7 to 10 inches of snow and sleet in the St. Louis area Saturday evening. A winter storm warning is in effect from 6 p.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Monday.
In central Illinois, the storm is expected to bring 6 to 8 inches of snow. Winds and an extended period of falling snow could make driving
dangerous with limited visibility and snowpack on roads.The Chicago area is expecting snowfall accumulations of 4 to 6 inches. The weather service cautions that snow could be heavy at times making travel hazardous.
Obama in 'direct' confrontation with Putin on Ukraine
I have to wonder how much impact his statement carried. I doubt that we no longer intimidate anyone. My guess that our threat was followed by a chuckle on Putin's part. I am afraid that the "leader of the free world" has lost his importance, and his "threats" fall on deaf ears. "Who is calling, oh, the guy from the US, "kакого черта" does he want, tell him I am visiting our troops in Cuba."
Washington (AFP) - President Barack Obama told President Vladimir Putin on Saturday that Russia's dispatch of troops to Ukraine flouted international law and warned he was courting political isolation if the incursion continues.
Obama also spelled out the right of the people of Ukraine to chart their own destiny and symbolically began to line up the long-time Western alliance against Russia, calling the leaders of France and Canada.
The US leader's 90-minute telephone call with Putin represented the kind of direct confrontation between the men who run the White House and the Kremlin rarely seen since the end of the Cold War.
The White House account of the call was unusually detailed and blunt, hinting at tense exchanges as fractures deepened in a diplomatic relationship that has been deteriorating since Putin returned as president in 2012.
"President Obama expressed his deep concern over Russia's clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity," the White House said.
Obama told Putin that his actions were a "breach of international law, including Russia's obligations under the UN Charter, and of its 1997 military basing agreement with Ukraine."
The White House statement appeared designed to underscore the gravity of the situation, and as a message to political opponents who say Obama shows insufficient steel as a leader and declines to enforce US red lines.
Obama also spelled out the right of the people of Ukraine to chart their own destiny and symbolically began to line up the long-time Western alliance against Russia, calling the leaders of France and Canada.
The US leader's 90-minute telephone call with Putin represented the kind of direct confrontation between the men who run the White House and the Kremlin rarely seen since the end of the Cold War.
The White House account of the call was unusually detailed and blunt, hinting at tense exchanges as fractures deepened in a diplomatic relationship that has been deteriorating since Putin returned as president in 2012.
"President Obama expressed his deep concern over Russia's clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity," the White House said.
Obama told Putin that his actions were a "breach of international law, including Russia's obligations under the UN Charter, and of its 1997 military basing agreement with Ukraine."
The White House statement appeared designed to underscore the gravity of the situation, and as a message to political opponents who say Obama shows insufficient steel as a leader and declines to enforce US red lines.
Blind woman suing nudist community that told her to get rid of service dog
I'm sure it is just me. I not only have vision, I have 20/20, and since my recent cataract operation, I have great sight in both eyes. I am probably a deviate of some kind, why would a blind person want to live in a nudist community?" I can't imagine sitting by the pool, and hearing, "OMG, look at her!" And, I have no vision. "Hey, Fido, if she is really stacked, bark, OK!" The above photo is not of Sharon Fowler, I took it off of the Paradise Lakes website, and they have "day passes" and a motel, etc., etc., etc.
She was told that because Laura, a black Labrador, was over the 25-pound weight limit, she needed to go. This, despite Ms. Fowler providing Paradise Lakes with the proper documentation that proved Laura was a service dog. Sharon told WTSP that Paradise Lakes also claimed, “[Laura] was out of control and needed to be removed off the property, or we would be fined $50 a day.”
She did not mislead the community. As the Tampa Bay Times notes, “Before Fowler moved into the community, she was required to fill out an application and pass a background check. She disclosed her need for Laura and the dog's weight. Her application was approved.”
Understandably, Sharon is angry. She told WTVT FOX 13 News, “I am legally blind. Laura is a trained, certified guide dog. You cannot bully us. We will not leave. This is our home. I won't be embarrassed. I won't be intimidated. We will go all the way with this, and we've done nothing wrong." Believing the law to be on her side, Ms. Fowler has filed a lawsuit against the condo association for mental anguish. Though the suit was initially thrown out, an appellate court overturned that ruling and the case will proceed.
The various media outlets down in Florida covering this story have reached out to Paradise Lakes for comment, but so far the property and its management has kept quiet on the manner.
Russia executes de facto takeover of Crimea region
Putin's move follows President Barack Obama's warning Friday "there will be costs" if Russia intervenes militarily, sharply raising the stakes in the conflict over Ukraine's future and evoking memories of Cold War brinkmanship. The explicit reference to the use of troops escalated days of conflict between the two countries, which started when Ukraine's pro-Russian president was pushed out by a protest movement of people who wanted closer ties to the European Union.
"I'm submitting a request for using the armed forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine pending the normalization of the socio-political situation in that country," Putin said in his request sent to parliament.
Putin's call came as pro-Russian demonstrations broke out in Ukraine's Russian-speaking east, where protesters raised Russian flags and clashed with supporters of the new Ukrainian government.
Way to go ..... Roger
Brilliant Federer stuns Djokovic in Dubai
Dubai (AFP) - Roger Federer showed an enterprising new side to his game as he beat Novak Djokovic for the first time in 18 months and ended the top seed's defence of the Dubai Open title.
The record 17-time Grand Slam title winner beat the six-time major champion 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, turning the match around not only with scintillating groundstroke hitting but with some bold approaches to the net.
Djokovic looked the more likely winner when he got within a point of going a break up in the fifth game of the second set, but a couple of minutes later came a short rain delay which halted his momentum.
After that Federer's game rose to much higher levels, and his increasing willingness to come forward, which earned him 11 points from 17 net forays, seemed to bear the stamp of his new coach, Stefan Edberg.
"There was a buzz out there tonight, and I was able to enjoy myself with that crowd," five-time Dubai champion Federer said on court.
"For some reason I had a tough start but the crowd kept pushing me on and I played well. It's a quick court so I am always trying to be aggressive. I wish I could do Stefan's volleys, but I work with what I have."
Russia's Parliament Approves Putin's Request For Troops In Ukraine
Russia's parliament unanimously approved a request by President Vladimir Putin to authorize the intervention of Moscow's forces in Ukraine until "the normalization of the political situation" there.
The Federation Council vote came quickly after a formal appeal from Putin, but seemed to only rubber-stamp what has already occurred: Ukraine's defense minister said some 6,000 additional
Russian troops are already in the Crimea in what appeared to be a move aimed at maintaining Kremlin access to the strategic peninsula, where Russia's Black Sea fleet is based.
After the vote, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Reuters as saying:
"[The] president [now] has received the full arsenal of means needed to resolve the situation, in terms of using [military] forces and in terms of taking decisions about [withdrawing] the head of our diplomatic mission in the United States."
Although the additional Russian force appeared, at least for now, to be limited to the Crimean peninsula, Putin's appeal, which called for authorizing force in the whole of the country, seemed to set up the possibility of a wider intervention.
The military moves, thus far involving mysterious balaclava-clad soldiers, follow the installation this week in Crimea of Sergiy Aksyono, a pro-Russian leader and the ouster a week ago of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.
Yanukovych fled to Russia and Aksyono asked Moscow for help in "stabilizing the region." The election of Aksyono, who claimed Saturday that he's coordinating directly with troops from Russia's Black Sea fleet and that those forces were guarding government buildings, has been deemed illegal by Kiev.
NPR's Emily Harris reports from the Ukrainian capital that the new government in Kiev has accused Russia of breaking an agreement on stationing troops in Crimea.
Russia's Interfax news agency quotes Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk as demanding that Russia "recall their forces, and return them to their stations."
"Russian partners, stop provoking civil and military resistance in Ukraine," Yatsenyuk said in an apparent reference to pro-Russian partisans in eastern Ukraine.
SMI - 3/1/14
Well, it is the first of March, how did that happen? Is it Spring yet, not according to the weatherman, freezing temperatures and snow, lots and lots of snow. Baseball's Spring Training in Florida and Arizona, rain in California, I thought it was dry and they wanted some, and snow in a lot of the rest of the country.
As a nation, are we still a leader? Are we feared and respected around the world, I don't think so. Russia docks ships in Cuba, other countries are off of our waters. I am afraid we are a "laughing stock" around the world, not the powerful world force we used to be. We were the leader of the world, in technology, inventions, manufacturing, we built great cities, had a proud population who were willing and stood behind the country, the USA.
No more, other countries have surpassed us in many ways, we are just the "arrogant Americans" who just think we are number one in world status. I do think we are number one in television commercials and products sold on television. We are still spoiled, go to your local supermarket, check out all the products, we are spoiled, spoiled very bad.
Not to change the subject, but I just put in my eye drops, a really little bottle, took me five tries to get a drop in the eye, four on the cheek.
It is 40 degrees and overcast in Newark, Ohio, we are under a Winter Storm Watch, with the prospect of a Tropical Storm and snow. Up to 50 degrees today and then 28 tonight.
As a nation, are we still a leader? Are we feared and respected around the world, I don't think so. Russia docks ships in Cuba, other countries are off of our waters. I am afraid we are a "laughing stock" around the world, not the powerful world force we used to be. We were the leader of the world, in technology, inventions, manufacturing, we built great cities, had a proud population who were willing and stood behind the country, the USA.
No more, other countries have surpassed us in many ways, we are just the "arrogant Americans" who just think we are number one in world status. I do think we are number one in television commercials and products sold on television. We are still spoiled, go to your local supermarket, check out all the products, we are spoiled, spoiled very bad.
Not to change the subject, but I just put in my eye drops, a really little bottle, took me five tries to get a drop in the eye, four on the cheek.
It is 40 degrees and overcast in Newark, Ohio, we are under a Winter Storm Watch, with the prospect of a Tropical Storm and snow. Up to 50 degrees today and then 28 tonight.
Kid treats warehouse-store audience to incredible piano recital
What, no tip jar?
A young boy entertained shoppers at what looks like a Costco store by showing off his incredible skills at the piano, playing a Hungarian folk song titled "Csardas."
The boy, decked out in a varsity jacket and fedora, plays while standing and doesn't appear to break a sweat, tickling the ivories like a natural.
At one point in the clip, another kid wanders into the camera's frame. This one seems less than impressed, preferring the siren call of soft-serve ice cream to a musical masterpiece. To each their own.
One YouTube description identifies him as "Felipe." The video was first uploaded in 2011. It's just now starting to hit high notes on the Web.
The kid's a little like Batman. We don't know who he is. We don't know where he came from or where he lives. We just know he's good at what he does and that he has excellent taste in hats.
A young boy entertained shoppers at what looks like a Costco store by showing off his incredible skills at the piano, playing a Hungarian folk song titled "Csardas."
The boy, decked out in a varsity jacket and fedora, plays while standing and doesn't appear to break a sweat, tickling the ivories like a natural.
At one point in the clip, another kid wanders into the camera's frame. This one seems less than impressed, preferring the siren call of soft-serve ice cream to a musical masterpiece. To each their own.
One YouTube description identifies him as "Felipe." The video was first uploaded in 2011. It's just now starting to hit high notes on the Web.
The kid's a little like Batman. We don't know who he is. We don't know where he came from or where he lives. We just know he's good at what he does and that he has excellent taste in hats.
Under the Rock: Alcatraz's secret tunnels discovered
An old military fortress was found under Alcatraz.........
Researchers from Texas A&M University, using ground-penetrating radar technology, discovered a network of tunnels underneath the San Francisco island prison. Experts had believed the tunnels were destroyed long ago. Professor Mark Everett explained the technology to BBC News.
"The cart has a transmitter and a receiver — it sends an electromagnetic wave into the ground that then reflects off all the different structures underneath.
"Much like medical imaging would make a scan of the body, we are making a scan of the ground under the rec yard."
But why were there tunnels under the prison, often called "the Rock"? Was Al Capone trying to pull a "Shawshank"? Not so fast, Hollywood.
The tunnels were from the 19th century, when the island was used as a military fort. The researchers believe they also found magazine buildings where ammunition was stored as well as other structures.
The underground discovery can't be physically reached except by radar, Fox News reports.
Alcatraz began as a military fort, but it went on to become America's most infamous federal prison, housing the likes of Capone, George "Machine Gun Kelly" Barnes, Mickey Cohen and Robert Stroud. It shut down in 1963 due to concerns that rough Bay Area weather was affecting the integrity of the prison's walls. The escape of three prisoners in 1962 likely hastened the decision to close the rock.
Alcatraz has since gone on to become a popular tourist destination, drawing 1.3 million visitors a year.
Big storm brings new worries to California
LOS ANGELES (AP) — California was lashed Friday by heavy rains that the parched state so desperately needs, though with the soaking came traffic snarls, power outages and the threat of mudslides.
Even with rainfall totals exceeding six inches in some places by midday, the powerful Pacific storm did not put a major dent in a drought that is among the worst in recent California history.
The first wave of the storm doused foothill communities east of Los Angeles that just weeks ago were threatened by a wildfire — and now faced the threat of mudslides. Small debris flows covered one Glendora street but no property damage occurred, police said. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for about 1,200 homes in the area.
Forecasts called for the storm to last through Saturday in California before trundling east into similarly parched neighboring states. Phoenix was expecting its first noticeable precipitation in two months.
In Los Angeles, rising water forced police to close major roads crossing the Sepulveda Basin. The flood-control area for the Los Angeles River on the San Fernando Valley floor is maintained as a wildlife refuge and recreation center but is otherwise kept clear of development.
A Fire Department swiftwater team rescued two men and two dogs from a perch on a tree trunk in the fast-moving Los Angeles River.
Power outages hit about 24,000 customers, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Southern California Edison said.
Rain was also falling in the central coast counties, in the San Francisco Bay region and in the Central Valley. Winter storm warnings were in effect in the Sierra Nevada for heavy snowfall.
Around San Francisco Bay, the storm led to an urban and small stream flood warning, as rain in excess of a half-inch an hour moved in, according to the National Weather Service. Wet roadways and crashes slowed the morning commute, and there were isolated power outages.
Even with rainfall totals exceeding six inches in some places by midday, the powerful Pacific storm did not put a major dent in a drought that is among the worst in recent California history.
The first wave of the storm doused foothill communities east of Los Angeles that just weeks ago were threatened by a wildfire — and now faced the threat of mudslides. Small debris flows covered one Glendora street but no property damage occurred, police said. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for about 1,200 homes in the area.
Forecasts called for the storm to last through Saturday in California before trundling east into similarly parched neighboring states. Phoenix was expecting its first noticeable precipitation in two months.
In Los Angeles, rising water forced police to close major roads crossing the Sepulveda Basin. The flood-control area for the Los Angeles River on the San Fernando Valley floor is maintained as a wildlife refuge and recreation center but is otherwise kept clear of development.
A Fire Department swiftwater team rescued two men and two dogs from a perch on a tree trunk in the fast-moving Los Angeles River.
Power outages hit about 24,000 customers, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Southern California Edison said.
Rain was also falling in the central coast counties, in the San Francisco Bay region and in the Central Valley. Winter storm warnings were in effect in the Sierra Nevada for heavy snowfall.
Around San Francisco Bay, the storm led to an urban and small stream flood warning, as rain in excess of a half-inch an hour moved in, according to the National Weather Service. Wet roadways and crashes slowed the morning commute, and there were isolated power outages.
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