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Tag: event

  • Grand jury recommends first-degree murder charges in Osceola County triple shooting, Worrell says

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    A grand jury has recommended upgrading the charges against the suspect in January’s triple homicide of tourists in Osceola County, according to State Attorney Monique Worrell.Ahmad Bojeh, 29, was arrested after three men were found shot to death in a residential subdivision near Kissimmee.>> Watch the full news conference belowDuring a news conference Thursday, Worrell said Bojeh is now facing three counts of first-degree murder. Bojeh was previously charged with second-degree murder. However, those charges were updated after a grand jury reviewed the case and returned an indictment, according to Worrell.BackgroundDeputies with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunshots around 12:14 a.m. Jan. 17.The OCSO said there were multiple 911 calls reporting several gunshots and more than one person down.Upon arrival, deputies found the three victims at the front of the property. Osceola County Fire Rescue pronounced all three dead.The initial investigation revealed that the bullet casings and unfired cartridges were consistent with .45- and .380-caliber ammunition, according to the arrest affidavit.Witnesses told deputies that the shooter ran into the house next door and was wearing all black.Deputies detained Bojeh at 298 Indian Point Circle.

    A grand jury has recommended upgrading the charges against the suspect in January’s triple homicide of tourists in Osceola County, according to State Attorney Monique Worrell.

    Ahmad Bojeh, 29, was arrested after three men were found shot to death in a residential subdivision near Kissimmee.

    >> Watch the full news conference below


    During a news conference Thursday, Worrell said Bojeh is now facing three counts of first-degree murder.

    Bojeh was previously charged with second-degree murder. However, those charges were updated after a grand jury reviewed the case and returned an indictment, according to Worrell.

    Background

    Deputies with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunshots around 12:14 a.m. Jan. 17.

    The OCSO said there were multiple 911 calls reporting several gunshots and more than one person down.

    Upon arrival, deputies found the three victims at the front of the property. Osceola County Fire Rescue pronounced all three dead.

    The initial investigation revealed that the bullet casings and unfired cartridges were consistent with .45- and .380-caliber ammunition, according to the arrest affidavit.

    Witnesses told deputies that the shooter ran into the house next door and was wearing all black.

    Deputies detained Bojeh at 298 Indian Point Circle.

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  • Lunar New Year events take place this weekend in Elk Grove

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    INVOLVED, YOU CAN GO TO HOPEWORKS MODESTO.ORG. THIS WEEKEND IN ELK GROVE, COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE COMING TOGETHER FOR A FUN, FESTIVE AND COLORFUL CELEBRATION. THE TENT OR LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL KICKED OFF TODAY CELEBRATING THE YEAR OF THE HORSE. IT’S PUTTING A TWIST ON TRADITION BY ALSO INCORPORATING ELEMENTS OF MARDI GRAS. THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL CELEBRATES THE INTERSECTION OF VIETNAMESE AND CAJUN CULTURE, PASSED DOWN BY VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WHO SETTLED ALONG NEW ORLEANS AND THE GULF COAST. ATTENDEES GET TO ENJOY TASTY FOOD, CARNIVAL RIDES, AND, OF COURSE, GAMES. ORGANIZERS SAY IT’S ALL ABOUT BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH CULTURAL CONNECTION. SACRAMENTO. WE JUST FEEL LIKE IT’S ONE OF THE MORE INTEGRATED, CONNECTED, DIVERSE COMMUNITY. AND I THINK MORE SO THAN NOW THAN EVER, THAT WE HAVE TO SHOW OUR UNITY, SHOW THE SENSE THAT EVERYBODY BELONGS HERE. YOU KNOW, IT’S NOT JUST BELONG, BUT IT’S ABLE TO THRIVE AND AND ABLE TO ACHIEVE OUR OWN AMERICAN DREAMS. AND BEING ABLE TO JUST LIVE A GOOD LIFE, LIVE A GOOD LIFE. YOU DIDN’T CHECK IT OUT TODAY. TH

    Lunar New Year events take place this weekend in Elk Grove

    Updated: 6:30 PM PST Feb 14, 2026

    Editorial Standards

    Lunar New Year is Tuesday, but Elk Grove is celebrating early with events this weekend. The Lunar New Year Tet Festival and Parade at Elk Grove Park offers carnival rides, games, lion dancers, and delicious food.Jim T. Chong, founder of Citywide Karaoke, and “My Lumpia Lady” food vendor Kathy Rapisura-Pardo joined KCRA 3 on Friday to discuss the fun-filled weekend, highlighting the excitement surrounding the “Year of the Horse.”This free event takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Learn more in the video above or here. Another Lunar New Year event in Elk Grove Also in Elk Grove, a market fair will take place on Saturday at District 56 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be lion dances at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., along with local vendors. California Is My Home Founder and CEO Eva Zhou joined KCRA 3 to discuss this event. See more in the video below or here. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    Lunar New Year is Tuesday, but Elk Grove is celebrating early with events this weekend.

    The Lunar New Year Tet Festival and Parade at Elk Grove Park offers carnival rides, games, lion dancers, and delicious food.

    Jim T. Chong, founder of Citywide Karaoke, and “My Lumpia Lady” food vendor Kathy Rapisura-Pardo joined KCRA 3 on Friday to discuss the fun-filled weekend, highlighting the excitement surrounding the “Year of the Horse.”

    This free event takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    Learn more in the video above or here.

    Another Lunar New Year event in Elk Grove

    Also in Elk Grove, a market fair will take place on Saturday at District 56 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be lion dances at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., along with local vendors.

    California Is My Home Founder and CEO Eva Zhou joined KCRA 3 to discuss this event.

    See more in the video below or here.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library celebrate 2025 in photos

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    In front of a crowd of close to 150 people, students and The Charlotte Observer staff photographers were honored for their work over the past year. The event, held at ImaginON: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, was put on in partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library for the third straight year.

    “The opportunity to celebrate the excellence of student photojournalists and offer encouragement to them as they pursue their passion is a privilege and an honor,” said Rana Cash, executive editor of The Charlotte Observer.

    “Even greater is the chance for them to see and hear from our staff photographers who produce some of the best work in the country. Even though I see their work every day, I remain in awe of their talent and the empathy they bring to our community on a daily basis.”

    Three students received top honors in the second annual photo contest. The overall first place winner was Lydia Riley, a student at East Mecklenburg High School, for her portrait of a ballerina, “Dancer in Bloom.”

    Lydia Riley, center, a student at East Mecklenburg High School, is honored as the overall winner of the student photo contest for her portrait, “Dancer in Bloom”, during The Charlotte Observer’s third annual Captured Memories event at ImaginON: The Joe and Joan Martin Theater in Charlotte on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
    Lydia Riley, center, a student at East Mecklenburg High School, is honored as the overall winner of the student photo contest for her portrait, “Dancer in Bloom”, during The Charlotte Observer’s third annual Captured Memories event at ImaginON: The Joe and Joan Martin Theater in Charlotte on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Emily Broyles ebroyles@charlotteobserver.com

    “Dancer in Bloom”
    “Dancer in Bloom” Lydia Riley

    Second place went to Henry Yingling, a student at Myers Park High School, for his black and white portrait of Charlotte FC player Alfred Zaha, “Thank You, CLT.”

    Henry Yingling, center, a student at Myers Park High School, is honored as the second place winner of the student photo contest for his photo, “Thank You CLT”, during The Charlotte Observer’s third annual Captured Memories event at ImaginON: The Joe and Joan Martin Theater in Charlotte on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
    Henry Yingling, center, a student at Myers Park High School, is honored as the second place winner of the student photo contest for his photo, “Thank You CLT”, during The Charlotte Observer’s third annual Captured Memories event at ImaginON: The Joe and Joan Martin Theater in Charlotte on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Emily Broyles ebroyles@charlotteobserver.com

    Alfred Zaha blows a kiss to the crowd after scoring a goal in the first half of Charlotte FC's match vs. Montreal at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025.
    Alfred Zaha blows a kiss to the crowd after scoring a goal in the first half of Charlotte FC’s match vs. Montreal at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025. Henry Yingling henryyingling@outlook.com

    Third place went to Nahun Paz Puerto, a student at East Mecklenburg High School, for a black and white, night portrait of Charlotte’s skyline, “Queen City Never Sleeps.”

    Nahun Paz Puerto, center, a student at East Mecklenburg High School, is honored as the third place winner of the student photo contest for his night landscape, “Queen City Never Sleeps”, during The Charlotte Observer’s third annual Captured Memories event at ImaginON: The Joe and Joan Martin Theater in Charlotte on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
    Nahun Paz Puerto, center, a student at East Mecklenburg High School, is honored as the third place winner of the student photo contest for his night landscape, “Queen City Never Sleeps”, during The Charlotte Observer’s third annual Captured Memories event at ImaginON: The Joe and Joan Martin Theater in Charlotte on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Emily Broyles ebroyles@charlotteobserver.com

    “Queen City Never Sleeps.” A skyline shot of Charlotte from Matheson Bridge on Oct. 12, 2025.
    “Queen City Never Sleeps.” A skyline shot of Charlotte from Matheson Bridge on Oct. 12, 2025. Nahun Paz Puerto

    The top winners received a plaque and cash prize. The top three winning photos will be featured on The Observer’s social media platforms. Additionally, the top winner, Lydia Riley, will get to spend a day shadowing a staff photographer of her choice.

    This story was originally published January 15, 2026 at 4:48 PM.

    Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

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    Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez

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  • Watch the trailer for the KCRA 3 documentary “Liberty and Limits: Guns in California”

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    I have these Black Panthers up here with guns on the 2nd floor. Is this the way the racist government works? Don’t let *** man, uh, exercise his, his, his constitutional rights. They never gave the party credit for anything. We were the boogeymen. It’s become, um, you know, *** very complicated, interesting area of law. Is it about who has the guns, who has the guns, you know, it’s, it’s plain to see. It’s what we call *** sentinel event. It’s not just that the event happened, it’s that that event was in everybody’s living room. There’s another one in California, and that was the mass shooting at Cleveland School in Stockton. Shortly before 120 Tuesday. *** lone gunman, Patrick Edward Purdy, walked onto the playground at Cleveland Elementary armed with 2 pistols and *** semi-automatic rifle. 18 bullets came through my wall. The whole room turned white. Mass shootings were not *** thing. School shootings were unheard of. I tried to find out where they were where they were hit. I tried to stop the bleeding. Her leg was shattered. All her bones in her leg was shattered, but this year there’s an all-out push by certain lawmakers to ban all semi-automatic military-type weapons. From my cold dead hands. Like this one, the Soviet designed AK-47 assault rifle. There is absolutely no reason why out on the street today *** civilian should be carrying *** loaded weapon. The Constitution says the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. You can turn back in time and you can say right there. It’s where the course of events change.

    Watch the trailer for the KCRA 3 documentary “Liberty and Limits: Guns in California”

    Our documentary looks at two major California events that have shaped how we talk about and regulate guns in the U.S.

    Updated: 10:23 AM PST Jan 11, 2026

    Editorial Standards

    On May 2, 1967, the Black Panther Party came to the California State Capitol armed in protest of a bill eliminating open carry in California.On Jan. 17, 1989, Patrick Purdy opened fire on a Stockton schoolyard, killing five children and injuring dozens. The dates of two of Northern California’s biggest historical events may seem unrelated but they both inform a discussion about one thing: guns.The KCRA 3 documentary “Liberty and Limits: Guns in California” looks at how these two events, decades apart, have rippled across time to inform us still today. In 1967, then-Gov. Reagan was on the steps of the California Capitol pushing for gun control. He switched his position in the 1980s. The documentary also shows how the tragic killing of schoolchildren may have helped reduce the death rate in California.”Liberty and Limits: Guns in California” takes a look at the impact on the law and the U.S. Constitution that came as a result of each event. How the Black Panthers were talking about the Second Amendment right to bear arms, leading to a law we’re still debating today: open carry. The first internationally known school shooting, in Stockton, would push lawmakers across the country to reflect on gaps in regulations.Our documentary, airing Sunday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. on KCRA 3, explores how these events continue to inform us and the legacy the people involved are leaving for others.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    On May 2, 1967, the Black Panther Party came to the California State Capitol armed in protest of a bill eliminating open carry in California.

    On Jan. 17, 1989, Patrick Purdy opened fire on a Stockton schoolyard, killing five children and injuring dozens.

    The dates of two of Northern California’s biggest historical events may seem unrelated but they both inform a discussion about one thing: guns.

    The KCRA 3 documentary “Liberty and Limits: Guns in California” looks at how these two events, decades apart, have rippled across time to inform us still today. In 1967, then-Gov. Reagan was on the steps of the California Capitol pushing for gun control. He switched his position in the 1980s. The documentary also shows how the tragic killing of schoolchildren may have helped reduce the death rate in California.

    “Liberty and Limits: Guns in California” takes a look at the impact on the law and the U.S. Constitution that came as a result of each event. How the Black Panthers were talking about the Second Amendment right to bear arms, leading to a law we’re still debating today: open carry.

    The first internationally known school shooting, in Stockton, would push lawmakers across the country to reflect on gaps in regulations.

    Our documentary, airing Sunday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. on KCRA 3, explores how these events continue to inform us and the legacy the people involved are leaving for others.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • ‘The Philadelphia Fishing Show’ brings essential gear to Oaks, Pennsylvania

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    Saturday, January 10, 2026 10:28PM

    'The Philadelphia Fishing Show' casts a line this weekend

    OAKS, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — Fans of fishing gathered today to share their favorite hobby.

    The Philadelphia Fishing Show brought some of the best gear to Oaks, Pennsylvania for guests to shop around.

    “To break cabin fever. To get the best deals, to talk to destination places where you could travel and fish that you always wanted to do. You could do all these things online, it’s just so much better face to face,” said show promoter Dave DeGennaro.

    The events will be taking place until Sunday, January 11th at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.

    For more information, check out the video above.

    Also, check out their website.

    Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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    Nick Iadonisi

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  • Registration is open for El Camino Health’s heart forum

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    Heart forum

    Registration is open for El Camino Health’s 15th Annual Heart Forum.

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    Anne Gelhaus

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  • Video: Samantha Ruth Prabhu struggles to reach her car after being mobbed by fans at a launch event

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    Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu was recently spotted at a launch event in Hyderabad today. A video from the event has since gone viral, showing the actor struggling to make her way to her car as she was surrounded by an overwhelming crowd of fans and photographers. Samantha was seen surrounded by security who struggled with the huge crowd at the event.

    Samantha Ruth Prabhu gets mobbed at a launch event

    In the video, Samantha is seen donning a Kanjeevaram silk saree. The actor exited the venue amid heavy security while fans gather around her, eager to catch a glimpse or take pictures. Despite the chaos, Samantha maintained her composure, politely acknowledging the crowd as she slowly moved toward her vehicle. However, the sheer number of people made it difficult for her to exit smoothly, with security personnel stepping in to clear a path. The incident once again highlighted Samantha’s massive popularity and the frenzy she attracts at public events.

    Samantha Ruth Prabhu marries Raj Nidimoru

    Samantha tied the knot with Raj Nidimoru in the presence of their friends and family on December 1, 2025. Samantha confirmed the news with a sweet post on social media, which gave a glimpse into their intimate wedding ceremony. They got married in a Linga Bhairava Vivaha at the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore.

    Samantha’s Workfront

    Samantha Ruth Prabhu is next expected to appear in a lead role in the web series Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom. The show is said to be a six-episode venture with Aditya Roy Kapur as her co-lead. Directed by Rahi Anil Barve, the series is based on a Marathi short story titled Vidushak by GA Kulkarni. Samantha recently confirmed that her next film as a lead will be the Telugu movie Maa Inti Bangaram, which will be directed by Nandini Reddy.

    ALSO READ: A look at Samantha and Raj Nidimoru’s love story that bloomed behind the camera and was sealed in a temple

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  • Run to Feed the Hungry 2025: Recaps from this year’s Sacramento Thanksgiving tradition

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    The 32nd annual Run to Feed the Hungry is now underway, bringing a record number of participants to the Thanksgiving tradition to benefit the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services.Organizers say it’s the largest Thanksgiving Day fun run in the country. It’s also the biggest fundraiser of the year for Sacramento Food Bank.The Nov. 27 event for 2025 offers a 5-kilometer or 10-kilometer run or walk. People will also join virtually and get a bib and shirt.The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services helps hundreds of thousands of people get food assistance in Sacramento County each month through a network of 111 partner agencies. Last year, the organization distributed the equivalent of 33.2 million meals to an average of 309,285 people each month. This year, food banks have experienced increased demand. Days ahead of the fun run, the 2025 Run to Feed the Hungry had already set a new registration record, topping last year’s record of 31,660 participants on Monday. At the first event in 1994, there were 796 runners and walkers.Around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, organizers said registration for the run had sold out, with 34,050 runners. It’s the first time the event has sold out in its 32-year history.| MORE | A look at the weather for Run to Feed the HungryHere is what else you should know about this year’s event, which KCRA 3 and My58 help to sponsor. Live updates from Run to Feed the Hungry 9:15 a.m.: The runner who won the 10K just crossed the finish line for the 5K seconds before the 15-minute mark.9 a.m.: The 5K is now underway.8:48 a.m.: The first female runner finished seconds before the 34-minute mark.8:44 a.m.: The first three participants for the 10K race finished in under 30 minutes.8:15 a.m.: The 10K race began with the elite runners taking the lead.8 a.m.: This year’s run will provide 4 million meals to those in need.7:30 a.m.: Traffic expert and DJ Brian Hickey gives a preview of what music to expect during the run.7 a.m.: Some runners are already showing up to prepare for the fun run.6 a.m.: KCRA 3’s Deirdre Fitzpatrick and Teo Torres get an early look at the start of the course before the sunrise. Where are the road closures for Run to Feed the Hungry?Watch the video below for a quick snapshot of closures.Where does Run to Feed the Hungry take place?The event starts on J Street, west of the entrance of Sacramento State, and runs a loop through the East Sacramento neighborhood. The course ends at the Scottish Rite Temple at 56th and H streets. View the course map here.People usually park at Sac State and in the surrounding neighborhood. Event organizers say there is free bike parking near the start line. View the parking map here.Note: The J Street entrance to Sac State will be closed until after the race finishes. Are there race awards?Yes.People can choose to have chip timing and join a timed runner’s corral to compete for an award.The top three finishers in each age group will get a medal, and the top three overall men and women in the 5K and 10K will receive plaques and prize money.The top three masters (age 40 or older) among men and women will also receive plaques and prize money.Learn more here.How to check Run to Feed the Hungry race resultsYou can find out what time runners completed the run here. What else should I know?No bikes, skateboards, or scooters are allowed. People using strollers are not allowed in the timed races but are encouraged to sign up for the untimed events.Refunds and transfers are not available.Click here for more FAQs from organizers.Celebrating thankfulnessShare photos of what you’re thankful for this holiday season.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

    The 32nd annual Run to Feed the Hungry is now underway, bringing a record number of participants to the Thanksgiving tradition to benefit the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services.

    Organizers say it’s the largest Thanksgiving Day fun run in the country. It’s also the biggest fundraiser of the year for Sacramento Food Bank.

    The Nov. 27 event for 2025 offers a 5-kilometer or 10-kilometer run or walk. People will also join virtually and get a bib and shirt.

    The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services helps hundreds of thousands of people get food assistance in Sacramento County each month through a network of 111 partner agencies. Last year, the organization distributed the equivalent of 33.2 million meals to an average of 309,285 people each month.

    This year, food banks have experienced increased demand.

    Days ahead of the fun run, the 2025 Run to Feed the Hungry had already set a new registration record, topping last year’s record of 31,660 participants on Monday. At the first event in 1994, there were 796 runners and walkers.

    Around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, organizers said registration for the run had sold out, with 34,050 runners. It’s the first time the event has sold out in its 32-year history.

    | MORE | A look at the weather for Run to Feed the Hungry

    Here is what else you should know about this year’s event, which KCRA 3 and My58 help to sponsor.

    Live updates from Run to Feed the Hungry

    9:15 a.m.: The runner who won the 10K just crossed the finish line for the 5K seconds before the 15-minute mark.

    9 a.m.: The 5K is now underway.

    8:48 a.m.: The first female runner finished seconds before the 34-minute mark.

    8:44 a.m.: The first three participants for the 10K race finished in under 30 minutes.

    8:15 a.m.: The 10K race began with the elite runners taking the lead.

    8 a.m.: This year’s run will provide 4 million meals to those in need.

    7:30 a.m.: Traffic expert and DJ Brian Hickey gives a preview of what music to expect during the run.


    7 a.m.: Some runners are already showing up to prepare for the fun run.

    6 a.m.: KCRA 3’s Deirdre Fitzpatrick and Teo Torres get an early look at the start of the course before the sunrise.

    Where are the road closures for Run to Feed the Hungry?

    Watch the video below for a quick snapshot of closures.

    Where does Run to Feed the Hungry take place?

    The event starts on J Street, west of the entrance of Sacramento State, and runs a loop through the East Sacramento neighborhood. The course ends at the Scottish Rite Temple at 56th and H streets. View the course map here.

    People usually park at Sac State and in the surrounding neighborhood. Event organizers say there is free bike parking near the start line. View the parking map here.

    Note: The J Street entrance to Sac State will be closed until after the race finishes.

    Are there race awards?

    Yes.

    People can choose to have chip timing and join a timed runner’s corral to compete for an award.

    The top three finishers in each age group will get a medal, and the top three overall men and women in the 5K and 10K will receive plaques and prize money.

    The top three masters (age 40 or older) among men and women will also receive plaques and prize money.

    Learn more here.

    How to check Run to Feed the Hungry race results

    You can find out what time runners completed the run here.

    What else should I know?

    No bikes, skateboards, or scooters are allowed. People using strollers are not allowed in the timed races but are encouraged to sign up for the untimed events.

    Refunds and transfers are not available.

    Click here for more FAQs from organizers.

    Celebrating thankfulness

    Share photos of what you’re thankful for this holiday season.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

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  • Imaginarium opens for 2025 season Wednesday after earlier confusion, organizers say

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    The Imaginarium holiday light show at Cal Expo opened on Wednesday following a delay and confusing announcements. The status of Imaginarium’s Utopia, billed as Northern California’s largest holiday light festival, was thrown into confusion Wednesday when a spokesperson for the event said a social media post announcing the opening after earlier delays was premature. “Several new electrical panels have been installed and are currently pending inspection,” Darla Givens told KCRA 3 two hours after Imaginarium Sacramento posted on Facebook about its reopening plans. “Once those panels are fully inspected and approved, Imaginarium will receive the green light to open. Until that process is complete, Imaginarium will remain closed.”(Previous coverage in the video above.)That process was since completed. Givens confirmed a second Facebook post that said “Cal Expo is definitely opening tonight” at 5 p.m. “The Imaginarium team has been working non-stop to install the new electrical panels,” she said. “Because this year’s footprint is three times larger than previous years, the process required extensive coordination and additional time to ensure every section of the experience is powered reliably.”Imaginarium was originally set to begin holding light shows on Friday, Nov. 21. But the opening day was called off abruptly within an hour of gates being set to open. Givens cited “unforeseen circumstances” at the time and said Saturday the delay was due to damaged electrical panels that needed to be replaced. During the closure, tickets appear to have continued being sold online. Organizers said that ticket holders could email them at imagine@imaginarium360.com to reschedule postponed dates. But some people said on Facebook they had trouble connecting with event organizers. Imaginarium aims to transform the fairgrounds into a glowing wonderland powered by more than 15 million lights. The event previously faced an opening day delay in 2023 because of severe weather. This year’s edition debuts an expanded footprint and a new entrance at Cal Expo’s Main Gate at Exposition and Heritage, which was supposed to streamline access for the season’s crowds. KCRA 3 got a tour of the attraction on Friday morning. Visitors can stroll through illuminated tunnels, step into mirror rooms, glide across a covered ice rink, snap photos with Santa, and cap the night with carnival rides and festive food and drink along Food Court Row near the waterpark.Organizers say Utopia aims to be a “perfect holiday escape,” where families and couples can make new traditions in a setting designed for dazzling photos and spirited nights out. Imaginarium traces its roots to the team behind the first U.S. Chinese Lantern Festival at Great America in 2011. The concept evolved into Global Winter Wonderland, which opened at Cal Expo in 2014, and later into Imaginarium, which organizers say is the largest holiday light festival in the country. The brand now spans multiple locations across California and Arizona.Learn more about tickets here. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    The Imaginarium holiday light show at Cal Expo opened on Wednesday following a delay and confusing announcements.

    The status of Imaginarium’s Utopia, billed as Northern California’s largest holiday light festival, was thrown into confusion Wednesday when a spokesperson for the event said a social media post announcing the opening after earlier delays was premature.

    “Several new electrical panels have been installed and are currently pending inspection,” Darla Givens told KCRA 3 two hours after Imaginarium Sacramento posted on Facebook about its reopening plans. “Once those panels are fully inspected and approved, Imaginarium will receive the green light to open. Until that process is complete, Imaginarium will remain closed.”

    (Previous coverage in the video above.)

    That process was since completed. Givens confirmed a second Facebook post that said “Cal Expo is definitely opening tonight” at 5 p.m.

    This content is imported from Facebook.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    “The Imaginarium team has been working non-stop to install the new electrical panels,” she said. “Because this year’s footprint is three times larger than previous years, the process required extensive coordination and additional time to ensure every section of the experience is powered reliably.”

    Imaginarium was originally set to begin holding light shows on Friday, Nov. 21. But the opening day was called off abruptly within an hour of gates being set to open.

    Givens cited “unforeseen circumstances” at the time and said Saturday the delay was due to damaged electrical panels that needed to be replaced.

    During the closure, tickets appear to have continued being sold online. Organizers said that ticket holders could email them at imagine@imaginarium360.com to reschedule postponed dates. But some people said on Facebook they had trouble connecting with event organizers.

    Imaginarium aims to transform the fairgrounds into a glowing wonderland powered by more than 15 million lights.

    The event previously faced an opening day delay in 2023 because of severe weather.

    This year’s edition debuts an expanded footprint and a new entrance at Cal Expo’s Main Gate at Exposition and Heritage, which was supposed to streamline access for the season’s crowds. KCRA 3 got a tour of the attraction on Friday morning.

    Visitors can stroll through illuminated tunnels, step into mirror rooms, glide across a covered ice rink, snap photos with Santa, and cap the night with carnival rides and festive food and drink along Food Court Row near the waterpark.

    Organizers say Utopia aims to be a “perfect holiday escape,” where families and couples can make new traditions in a setting designed for dazzling photos and spirited nights out.

    Imaginarium traces its roots to the team behind the first U.S. Chinese Lantern Festival at Great America in 2011.

    The concept evolved into Global Winter Wonderland, which opened at Cal Expo in 2014, and later into Imaginarium, which organizers say is the largest holiday light festival in the country.

    The brand now spans multiple locations across California and Arizona.

    Learn more about tickets here.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Run to Feed the Hungry 2025 sets registration record for Sacramento Thanksgiving Day tradition

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    Run to Feed the Hungry has become a Thanksgiving tradition in Sacramento since its inaugural event 31 years ago. Organizers say it’s the largest Thanksgiving Day fun run in the country. It’s also the biggest fundraiser for Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. Around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, organizers said registration for the run had sold out, with 34,050 runners. It’s the first time the event has sold out in its 32-year history. The Nov. 27 event for 2025 offers a 5-kilometer or 10-kilometer run or walk. People were also able to register virtually and get a bib and shirt.The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services helps hundreds of thousands of people get food assistance in Sacramento County each month through a network of 111 partner agencies. Last year, the organization distributed the equivalent of 33.2 million meals to an average of 309,285 people each month. This year, food banks have experienced increased demand. The 2025 Run to Feed the Hungry has already set a new registration record, topping last year’s record of 31,660 participants on Monday. At the first event in 1994, there were 796 runners and walkers.Here is what else you should know about this year’s event, which KCRA 3 and My58 help to sponsor. What is a team at Run to Feed the Hungry? A team could represent a company, family, school or another group. If you join or form a team, you get access to an upgraded tech shirt, a team area with coffee, water and breakfast snacks on Thanksgiving morning and a professional photo. Learn more here. The deadline to form or join a team was Nov. 21. Where and when is packet pickup? Packet pickup takes place at Fremont Presbyterian Church, located at 5770 Carlson Drive. Additional parking is across the street at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center.Below are the times to pick up your packet. Saturday, Nov. 22: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 23: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.Monday, Nov. 24: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.Tuesday, Nov. 25: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.Wednesday, Nov. 26: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27: 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.When do the races start? The 10K starts at 8:15 a.m. for timed runners and 8:20-8:30 a.m. for untimed runners. The 5K starts at 9 a.m. for timed runners and 9:05-9:40 a.m. for untimed runners. Where does Run to Feed the Hungry take place?The event starts on J Street, west of the entrance of Sacramento State, and runs a loop through the East Sacramento neighborhood. The course ends at the Scottish Rite Temple at 56th and H streets. View the course map here.People usually park at Sac State and in the surrounding neighborhood. Event organizers say there is free bike parking near the start line. View the parking map here.Note: The J Street entrance to Sac State will be closed until after the race finishes. Can you look up your run time for the 5k or 10k? Yes, there is a Run to Feed the Hungry results page that tracks when participants cross the finish line and how long it took them. See past race results here. Are there race awards?Yes.People can choose to have chip timing and join a timed runner’s corral to compete for an award.The top three finishers in each age group will get a medal, and the top three overall men and women in the 5K and 10K will receive plaques and prize money.The top three masters (age 40 or older) among men and women will also receive plaques and prize money.Learn more here. Can I bring my pet?Organizers ask participants to leave their pets at home. How to volunteer? You can sign up here. What else should I know?No bikes, skateboards, or scooters are allowed. People using strollers are not allowed in the timed races but are encouraged to sign up for the untimed events.Refunds and transfers are not available.Click here for more FAQs from organizers. Celebrating thankfulnessShare photos of what you’re thankful for this holiday season. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

    Run to Feed the Hungry has become a Thanksgiving tradition in Sacramento since its inaugural event 31 years ago.

    Organizers say it’s the largest Thanksgiving Day fun run in the country. It’s also the biggest fundraiser for Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services.

    Around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, organizers said registration for the run had sold out, with 34,050 runners.

    The Nov. 27 event for 2025 offers a 5-kilometer or 10-kilometer run or walk. People were also able to register virtually and get a bib and shirt.

    The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services helps hundreds of thousands of people get food assistance in Sacramento County each month through a network of 111 partner agencies. Last year, the organization distributed the equivalent of 33.2 million meals to an average of 309,285 people each month.

    This year, food banks have experienced increased demand.

    The 2025 Run to Feed the Hungry has already set a new registration record, topping last year’s record of 31,660 participants on Monday. At the first event in 1994, there were 796 runners and walkers.

    Here is what else you should know about this year’s event, which KCRA 3 and My58 help to sponsor.

    What is a team at Run to Feed the Hungry?

    A team could represent a company, family, school or another group. If you join or form a team, you get access to an upgraded tech shirt, a team area with coffee, water and breakfast snacks on Thanksgiving morning and a professional photo. Learn more here.

    Run to Feed the Hungry

    Here’s this year’s team shirt.

    The deadline to form or join a team was Nov. 21.

    Where and when is packet pickup?

    Packet pickup takes place at Fremont Presbyterian Church, located at 5770 Carlson Drive. Additional parking is across the street at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center.

    Below are the times to pick up your packet.

    • Saturday, Nov. 22: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Sunday, Nov. 23: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Monday, Nov. 24: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Tuesday, Nov. 25: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Wednesday, Nov. 26: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27: 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

    When do the races start?

    The 10K starts at 8:15 a.m. for timed runners and 8:20-8:30 a.m. for untimed runners. The 5K starts at 9 a.m. for timed runners and 9:05-9:40 a.m. for untimed runners.

    Where does Run to Feed the Hungry take place?

    The event starts on J Street, west of the entrance of Sacramento State, and runs a loop through the East Sacramento neighborhood. The course ends at the Scottish Rite Temple at 56th and H streets. View the course map here.

    People usually park at Sac State and in the surrounding neighborhood. Event organizers say there is free bike parking near the start line. View the parking map here.

    Note: The J Street entrance to Sac State will be closed until after the race finishes.

    Can you look up your run time for the 5k or 10k?

    Yes, there is a Run to Feed the Hungry results page that tracks when participants cross the finish line and how long it took them.

    See past race results here.

    Are there race awards?

    Yes.

    People can choose to have chip timing and join a timed runner’s corral to compete for an award.

    The top three finishers in each age group will get a medal, and the top three overall men and women in the 5K and 10K will receive plaques and prize money.

    The top three masters (age 40 or older) among men and women will also receive plaques and prize money.

    Learn more here.

    Can I bring my pet?

    Organizers ask participants to leave their pets at home.

    How to volunteer?

    You can sign up here.

    What else should I know?

    No bikes, skateboards, or scooters are allowed. People using strollers are not allowed in the timed races but are encouraged to sign up for the untimed events.

    Refunds and transfers are not available.

    Click here for more FAQs from organizers.

    Celebrating thankfulness

    Share photos of what you’re thankful for this holiday season.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

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  • Weekend event roundup: Sacramento-area things to do for Nov. 21-23

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    Looking for things to do this weekend? Here’s a list of events happening in Northern California from Friday, Nov. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 23.Before you head out the door, check the latest forecast here.Sacramento-area eventsImaginarium The Imaginarium, billed as the state’s largest holiday light festival, returns to Cal Expo through Jan. 4. It features 15 million LED lights, daily circus performances and more. Tickets start at $16 for children and seniors. General admission starts at $21. UPDATE: Opening day was called off on Friday. It’s not clear if this will be open this weekend. Learn more. Donut Half MarathonA “Donut” half marathon where the course includes stops at various cafes and doughnut shops takes place Saturday, starting at Tupi Coffee. Registration is free but people are encouraged to donate to Girls on the Run of Greater Sacramento. Learn more. 100 Years of Palestine “100 Years of Palestine” is an immersive cultural exhibition taking place at Tarbiya House Roseville on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is also a community bazaar featuring vendors and artists. Learn more. Ballroom BoxingA 6-bout professional boxing card is set for Friday night at the DoubleTree Hotel in Sacramento. One of the bouts will feature a Sacramento native making his pro-boxing debut. Find more information here. Sacramento Annual Fall Vendor and Craft Fair A fall marketplace featuring vendors takes place Saturday at the Pat O’Brien Community Center, located at 8025 Waterman Road, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more. Causeway Boxing Classic The second annual Causeway Boxing Classic takes place at The Nest on the Sacramento State campus Friday starting at 7 p.m. Learn more. Mountain Mandarin Festival The 32nd Mountain Mandarin Festival takes place through Sunday in Roseville @ the Grounds. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Kids ages 10 and under are free. Friday general admission costs $8 and weekend general admission tickets cost $14. Seniors can get in for $10. Learn more. Causeway Classic The Sacramento State Hornets will take on the UC Davis Aggies in a high-stakes football matchup Saturday at 1 p.m. in Davis. You can also watch the game on My58. Learn more. Stockton-area events209 Beatdown XXVI Experience a live MMA cage fight at Stockton Civic Auditorium Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Ticket prices start at $45. Learn more. Venetians Gardens Holiday Boutique Check out holiday gift ideas at this event Saturday and Sunday located at the Venetian Gardens Association Clubhouse, at 1555 Mosaic Way. Learn more. San Joaquin Potters Guild Fine Arts Festival Check out art and live demonstrations for free at the 2025 Fine Arts Festival on Saturday and Sunday at Central United Methodist Church, located at 3700 Pacific Avenue in Stockton. Learn more. Jiu Jitsu World League Finals The Jiu Jitsu World League Finals takes place at Adventist Health Arena on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. Learn more. Modesto-area eventsHoliday Craft Show Thirty-five vendors are appearing at a Holiday Craft Show at 505 West Granger Avenue Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more. Holiday Night Market A Holiday Night Market kicks off Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 711 I Street in Modesto to kick off the holiday shopping season. Learn more. Scavenger HuntA Junior Rangers “Wildlife Gratitude Scavenger Hunt” takes place Saturday at Dos Rios State Park near Modesto from 11 a.m. to noon. Learn more. More sports, concerts & showsBig Bad Voodoo Daddy performs at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts in Tracy on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets. Heart performs at Hard Rock Live Sacramento in Wheatland Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets. The Beach Boys with Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone performs at The Venue at Thunder Valley Casino on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets. Built to Spill performs with Larry Yes and Braided Waves at Harlow’s in Sacramento Friday at 7:30 p.m., but the event is sold out. Yolanda del Río performs at Stockton’s Bob Hope Theatre Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets. John Legend performs at The Venue at Thunder Valley Casino Saturday at 8 p.m. in Lincoln. Tickets. Tyler Rich performs at Ace of Spades in Sacramento Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets. Manheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis performs at the Gallo Center Sunday in Modesto at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets. Know of more events to include? Email us at web@kcra.com.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    Looking for things to do this weekend? Here’s a list of events happening in Northern California from Friday, Nov. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 23.

    Before you head out the door, check the latest forecast here.

    Sacramento-area events

    Imaginarium

    The Imaginarium, billed as the state’s largest holiday light festival, returns to Cal Expo through Jan. 4. It features 15 million LED lights, daily circus performances and more. Tickets start at $16 for children and seniors. General admission starts at $21. UPDATE: Opening day was called off on Friday. It’s not clear if this will be open this weekend. Learn more.

    Donut Half Marathon

    A “Donut” half marathon where the course includes stops at various cafes and doughnut shops takes place Saturday, starting at Tupi Coffee. Registration is free but people are encouraged to donate to Girls on the Run of Greater Sacramento. Learn more.

    100 Years of Palestine

    “100 Years of Palestine” is an immersive cultural exhibition taking place at Tarbiya House Roseville on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is also a community bazaar featuring vendors and artists. Learn more.

    Ballroom Boxing

    A 6-bout professional boxing card is set for Friday night at the DoubleTree Hotel in Sacramento. One of the bouts will feature a Sacramento native making his pro-boxing debut. Find more information here.

    Sacramento Annual Fall Vendor and Craft Fair

    A fall marketplace featuring vendors takes place Saturday at the Pat O’Brien Community Center, located at 8025 Waterman Road, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more.

    Causeway Boxing Classic

    The second annual Causeway Boxing Classic takes place at The Nest on the Sacramento State campus Friday starting at 7 p.m. Learn more.

    Mountain Mandarin Festival

    The 32nd Mountain Mandarin Festival takes place through Sunday in Roseville @ the Grounds. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Kids ages 10 and under are free. Friday general admission costs $8 and weekend general admission tickets cost $14. Seniors can get in for $10. Learn more.

    Causeway Classic

    The Sacramento State Hornets will take on the UC Davis Aggies in a high-stakes football matchup Saturday at 1 p.m. in Davis. You can also watch the game on My58. Learn more.

    Stockton-area events

    209 Beatdown XXVI

    Experience a live MMA cage fight at Stockton Civic Auditorium Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Ticket prices start at $45. Learn more.

    Venetians Gardens Holiday Boutique

    Check out holiday gift ideas at this event Saturday and Sunday located at the Venetian Gardens Association Clubhouse, at 1555 Mosaic Way. Learn more.

    San Joaquin Potters Guild Fine Arts Festival

    Check out art and live demonstrations for free at the 2025 Fine Arts Festival on Saturday and Sunday at Central United Methodist Church, located at 3700 Pacific Avenue in Stockton. Learn more.

    Jiu Jitsu World League Finals

    The Jiu Jitsu World League Finals takes place at Adventist Health Arena on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. Learn more.

    Modesto-area events

    Holiday Craft Show

    Thirty-five vendors are appearing at a Holiday Craft Show at 505 West Granger Avenue Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more.

    Holiday Night Market

    A Holiday Night Market kicks off Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 711 I Street in Modesto to kick off the holiday shopping season. Learn more.

    Scavenger Hunt

    A Junior Rangers “Wildlife Gratitude Scavenger Hunt” takes place Saturday at Dos Rios State Park near Modesto from 11 a.m. to noon. Learn more.

    More sports, concerts & shows

    Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performs at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts in Tracy on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets.

    Heart performs at Hard Rock Live Sacramento in Wheatland Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets.

    The Beach Boys with Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone performs at The Venue at Thunder Valley Casino on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets.

    Built to Spill performs with Larry Yes and Braided Waves at Harlow’s in Sacramento Friday at 7:30 p.m., but the event is sold out.

    Yolanda del Río performs at Stockton’s Bob Hope Theatre Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets.

    John Legend performs at The Venue at Thunder Valley Casino Saturday at 8 p.m. in Lincoln. Tickets.

    Tyler Rich performs at Ace of Spades in Sacramento Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets.

    Manheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis performs at the Gallo Center Sunday in Modesto at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets.

    Know of more events to include? Email us at web@kcra.com.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Rollins College hosts free seminar for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

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    Rollins College is opening its doors Saturday to anyone in Central Florida who lost a loved one to suicide.It’s in honor of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.Register for free.Those who show up will learn coping strategies, explore grief and discover resources to help with each unique healing journey. The Central Florida chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is hosting the seminar. It’s from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at 1000 Holt Ave.International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is an event in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience.This event is for survivors of suicide loss only.In 1999, Senator Harry Reid, who lost his father to suicide, introduced a resolution to the United States Senate, leading to the creation of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. Also known as Survivor Day, the day was designated by the United States Congress as a day on which those affected by suicide can join together for healing and support. It was determined that Survivor Day would always fall on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, as the holidays are often a difficult time for suicide loss survivors.If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.

    Rollins College is opening its doors Saturday to anyone in Central Florida who lost a loved one to suicide.

    It’s in honor of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.

    Register for free.

    Those who show up will learn coping strategies, explore grief and discover resources to help with each unique healing journey.

    The Central Florida chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is hosting the seminar. It’s from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at 1000 Holt Ave.

    International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is an event in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience.

    This event is for survivors of suicide loss only.

    In 1999, Senator Harry Reid, who lost his father to suicide, introduced a resolution to the United States Senate, leading to the creation of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.

    Also known as Survivor Day, the day was designated by the United States Congress as a day on which those affected by suicide can join together for healing and support.

    It was determined that Survivor Day would always fall on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, as the holidays are often a difficult time for suicide loss survivors.

    If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.

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  • 2025 Florida Classic Weekend in Central Florida

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    2025 Florida Classic Weekend in Central Florida

    ARE STEPPING UP FOR THE FLORIDA CLASSIC. FROM THE BRASS TO ALL THE FANS IN THE STANDS, THIS EXCITEMENT RUNS WELL BEYOND THE FIELD AT CAMPING WORLD STADIUM. THIS YEAR MARKS THE 80TH MEETING BETWEEN THE FLORIDA A&M RATTLERS AND THE BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS. THE FLORIDA CLASSIC IS GOING TO BE A GOOD TIME. AND JOINING ME THIS MORNING TO TALK ABOUT THE RICH HISTORY OF THIS AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM THIS MILESTONE YEAR. WE HAVE TONY JENKINS FROM FLORIDA BLUE AND JUSTIN KINSEY, BOARD MEMBER FOR FLORIDA CITRUS SPORTS. GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING. THANK YOU. SUCH AN EXCITING TIME, TONY. LET’S TALK ABOUT, FOR THOSE WHO AREN’T FAMILIAR, WHAT IS THE FLORIDA CLASSIC? IT’S AN INSTITUTION NUMBER ONE. IT’S THE NUMBER ONE FUNDRAISER FOR BOTH OF THESE SCHOOLS FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. MOST BOWL GAMES YOU HAVE MIDDLE INDIVIDUALS, PRODUCERS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN RECEIVING THE FUNDS. ALL OF THESE FUNDS GO BACK TO THE SCHOOLS. SO THAT’S ONE REASON WHY PEOPLE SHOULD ATTEND THIS. BECAUSE YOUR MONEY IS GOING BACK FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. SECONDLY, THIS IS THE BEST WEEKEND OF THE YEAR. YEAH, ALL THE ACTIVITIES SURROUNDING THE FOOTBALL GAME. THERE’S A BATTLE OF THE BANDS. THERE’S A BIG LUNCHEON. SO IT’S JUST A FESTIVE WEEKEND. SOME PEOPLE CALL IT A BIG FAMILY REUNION. IT ACTUALLY IS THE FOOD THAT’S OUT THERE. IT SMELLS GOOD. IT TASTES EVEN BETTER. THE ATMOSPHERE IS SO ELECTRIC. ABSOLUTELY. ALWAYS A GOOD TIME. WHAT MAKES CLASSIC WEEKEND SO SPECIAL? JUSTIN, ALL THESE YEARS LATER, I THINK IT’S JUST WHAT TONY SAID. IT BEING A FAMILY REUNION. SO BEING IN THE CENTER OF THE STATE, YOU HAVE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAT HAVE ATTENDED BOTH FAMU OR BETHUNE-COOKMAN. YOU HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HAVE ATTENDED AND EVERYONE MEETS RIGHT HERE IN THE MIDDLE, AND THEY JUST GO ALL AROUND THE STADIUM. YOU HAVE A WILD ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE, AND THAT’S WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL. JUST THE PEOPLE COMING BACK TO BE WITH EACH OTHER, THE COMMUNE, EVERY YEAR. IT SURE DOES. I REMEMBER BEING A LITTLE GIRL WATCHING MY COUSINS COME DOWN FROM TALLAHASSEE FOR THE CLASSIC STAYING WITH US, AND I WOULD JUST WATCH THEM IN AWE, GET READY FOR ALL THE EVENTS AND ALL THE FUN THINGS THAT COME ALONG WITH CLASSIC WEEKEND. SPEAKING OF THE EVENTS, TONY, THERE’S SOMETHING NEW THIS YEAR. THERE’S A GOLF TOURNAMENT WHICH IS TEEING OFF RIGHT NOW. YES. WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT WITH THIS NEW ADDITION AND THE REST OF THE EVENTS THIS WEEKEND? I’M EXCITED THAT THE ORGANIZERS FLORIDA, CITRA SPORTS, THE TWO SCHOOLS. WE’RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO ADD NEW INGREDIENTS AND NEW PROJECTS WITH THE GAME. THIS GOLF TOURNAMENT IS BRAND NEW. IT’S OUR INAUGURAL GOLF TOURNAMENT AT EAGLE CREEK, AND WE’VE GOT OVER 20 TEAMS THAT HAVE BEEN A PART OF IT THIS YEAR, SO I’M EXCITED THAT WE’RE ADDING THIS NEW COMPONENT TO THE FLORIDA CLASSIC. YEAH, IT’S GOING TO BE A LOT OF FUN. AND JUSTIN JUST PUT INTO PERSPECTIVE. WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE IMPACT, BUT THIS REALLY AFFECTS NOT JUST THE SCHOOLS BUT CENTRAL FLORIDA AND BEYOND. BEYOND ESPECIALLY THE COMMUNITIES OF WEST LAKES, LAKE LORNA DOONE, THE ROCK ROCK LAKE COMMUNITIES, LAKE SUNSET. WE HAVE OVER 70 TO 80 VENDORS THAT ARE LOADING IN RIGHT NOW. AND THE FISCAL IMPACT FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURS ARE ABOUT 500 TO $750,000 PER YEAR. SO THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM IT. OBVIOUSLY, THE THE HOTELS, THE AIRPORT TRAVEL, ALL OF THE EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND HERE. THERE ARE A LOT OF FREE EVENTS HAPPENING THAT MAKE THAT ATMOSPHERE ELECTRIC, LIKE IN LORNA DOONE PARK. WE HAVE THE YARD WHERE WE SEEK TO CREATE THE HBCU CAMPUS ATMOSPHERE. YOU HAVE THE DIVINE NINE OUT THERE. YOU HAVE THE VENDORS, YOU HAVE THE FAN FEST GOING ON THE FLORIDA BLUE FLORIDA CLASSIC FAN FEST, AND IT’S JUST AN AMAZING TIME. ALWAYS, ALWAYS STOP BY THE RV LOT IF YOU GET A CHANCE. OH, CERTAINLY. SO. AND I’LL BE OUT THERE WITH MY SOURCE FOR DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY INCORPORATED REALLY QUICKLY. BEFORE WE GO, WHERE CAN PEOPLE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FLORIDA CLASSIC? GO TO OUR WEBSITE, FLORIDA CLASSIC DOT. THERE’S NEWS OUT THERE. PEOPLE CAN FIND OUT ABOUT THE GAME, ABOUT THE EVENTS, SIGNING UP FOR THE GAME. SO THAT’S INCREDIBLE. AND OF COURSE WE’LL POST ALL OF THIS ON OUR WEBSITE WESH.COM. AND EVEN THOUGH IT IS A FRIENDLY RIVALRY, I’M WEARING ORANGE FOR A REASON.

    The 2025 Florida Classic Weekend is underway in Central Florida.The lineup of events celebrating the 45th annual matchup between Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University will run Thursday, Nov. 20, through Saturday, Nov. 22.Leaders from Florida Blue and Florida Citrus Sports join WESH 2 to discuss the rich history, impact, and events in Orlando.Event RundownInaugural Florida Classic Golf Tournament Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, 7 a.m.Eagle Creek Golf ClubFlorida Classic Consortium Kickoff Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, 11:30 a.m.Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress ResortFlorida Blue Battle of the Bands Friday, Nov 21, 2025, 7 p.m.Kia CenterFlorida Classic Fan FestSaturday, Nov. 22, 2025 (pre-game)Tinker Field Florida Blue Florida ClassicSaturday, Nov. 22, 2025, 3:30 p.m.Camping World StadiumClick here to learn more.

    The 2025 Florida Classic Weekend is underway in Central Florida.

    The lineup of events celebrating the 45th annual matchup between Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University will run Thursday, Nov. 20, through Saturday, Nov. 22.

    Leaders from Florida Blue and Florida Citrus Sports join WESH 2 to discuss the rich history, impact, and events in Orlando.

    Event Rundown

    Inaugural Florida Classic Golf Tournament

    Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, 7 a.m.

    Eagle Creek Golf Club

    Florida Classic Consortium Kickoff

    Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, 11:30 a.m.

    Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort

    Florida Blue Battle of the Bands

    Friday, Nov 21, 2025, 7 p.m.

    Kia Center

    Florida Classic Fan Fest

    Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 (pre-game)

    Tinker Field

    Florida Blue Florida Classic

    Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, 3:30 p.m.

    Camping World Stadium

    Click here to learn more.

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  • Hundreds of families wait in line for Thanksgiving food giveaway in Winter Park

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    A LOT OF PEOPLE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA NEED HELP PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE, AND THIS LINE OF CARS WAITING FOR A THANKSGIVING MEAL IS PART OF THE PROOF. THIS EVENT WAS PUT ON BY THE HISPANIC AMERICAN ALLIANCE GROUP IN WINTER PARK AND WESH TWO MICHELLE MEREDITH REPORTS. SOME PEOPLE GOT IN LINE LAST NIGHT. THERE WAS MUSIC, PEOPLE DANCING, FRUIT CRATES THAT WERE CREATIVELY TURNED INTO SUN HATS. IT LOOKED LIKE A PARTY. BUT TAKE A CLOSER LOOK. AND THERE WAS FOOD BEING STUFFED INTO CARS THAT PULLED UP ONE AFTER ANOTHER IN A LINE THAT SEEMED NEVER ENDING BECAUSE THIS WAS BETTER THAN A PARTY. IT WAS A FOOD GIVEAWAY PUT ON BY THE HISPANIC AMERICAN ALLIANCE GROUP, AND THE JOINT WAS JUMPING. THEY TELL US THEY STARTED THIS FOOD GIVEAWAY DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND 75 FAMILIES SHOWED UP. AND SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS JUST EXPLODED BECAUSE OF THE NEED. THE FOOD WAS SUPPLIED BY SECOND HARVEST AND WINN-DIXIE, BOTH CONTRIBUTING A TOTAL OF 56,000 POUNDS OF IT. WITH WINN-DIXIE PITCHING IN 500 TURKEYS. I’VE BEEN AMAZED TODAY WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE I MEAN, IT’S 500 THAT WE’VE WE’VE SIGNED UP TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LINED UP HERE SINCE LAST NIGHT, AND THAT’S A BIG DEAL. AND EVEN THIS MORNING, COMING IN AT 630, THEY WERE LINED UP DOWN THE STREET A COUPLE OF MILES, AND FROM CHOPPER TWO WE COULD SEE THE LINE GOT OUR ATTENTION AND THE ATTENTION OF THE FOLKS WHO WAITED HOURS TO GET A CHANCE AT A FIRST CLASS THANKSGIVING DINNER. I CAN EAT DINNER FOR THIS BECAUSE IT’S TOO MUCH. IT’S SAD BECAUSE PEOPLE IS NEEDED, BUT IT’S HAPPINESS THAT WE CAN HELP THEM. SO THAT IS A IS A JOINT OF DIFFERENT EMOTIONS AT THE SAME TIME. HAPPINESS THAT ON THIS DAY SEEMED TO PUT A SMILE ON EVERYONE’S FACE. COVERING ORANGE COUNTY AND WINTER PARK MICHELLE MEREDITH WESH TWO NEWS. RIGHT NOW YOU CAN HELP GET FOOD TO STRUGGLING NEIGHBORS. WESH TWO NEWS. SHARE YOUR CHRISTMAS FOOD AND FUND DRIVE BENEFITS. SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK. IF YOU’RE ABLE TO, WE HOPE YOU’LL HELP BY GIVING ONLINE OR STARTING A FOOD DRIVE. ALL PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT OUR NEIGHBORS WHO NEED IT MOST. ALL OF THE DETAILS ARE ON THE SHARE

    Hundreds of families wait in line for Thanksgiving food giveaway in Winter Park

    Updated: 11:29 PM EST Nov 20, 2025

    Editorial Standards

    A Thanksgiving food giveaway organized by the Hispanic American Alliance Group in Winter Park provided meals to hundreds of families, with some arriving the night before to secure their spot in line.The event featured music, dancing, and creatively repurposed fruit crates as sunhats, creating a festive atmosphere as cars lined up to receive food. The giveaway, which began during the pandemic, has grown significantly due to increasing demand.The food was supplied by Second Harvest and Winn-Dixie, contributing a total of 56,000 pounds of food, including 500 turkeys.”I’ve been amazed with the amount of people,” said Shawn Sloan from Winn-Dixie. “It was 500 the amount of people we signed up to take care of, and people have been here since last night, and even coming in at 6:30, there were people lined up down the street a couple of miles.”From Chopper 2, the line of cars waiting for food stretched for miles, capturing the attention of those waiting for hours to receive a Thanksgiving dinner. “I can eat dinner.. for this…it’s too much,” said Matilde Canela, who picked up food at the event.Lorena Ortega from the Hispanic American Alliance Group expressed mixed emotions about the event. “It’s sad because people are needing but it’s happiness that we can help them, so it’s a joint emotion as the same time,” she said.The event brought smiles to many faces, highlighting the community’s spirit of giving and support during the holiday season.

    A Thanksgiving food giveaway organized by the Hispanic American Alliance Group in Winter Park provided meals to hundreds of families, with some arriving the night before to secure their spot in line.

    The event featured music, dancing, and creatively repurposed fruit crates as sunhats, creating a festive atmosphere as cars lined up to receive food. The giveaway, which began during the pandemic, has grown significantly due to increasing demand.

    The food was supplied by Second Harvest and Winn-Dixie, contributing a total of 56,000 pounds of food, including 500 turkeys.

    “I’ve been amazed with the amount of people,” said Shawn Sloan from Winn-Dixie. “It was 500 the amount of people we signed up to take care of, and people have been here since last night, and even coming in at 6:30, there were people lined up down the street a couple of miles.”

    From Chopper 2, the line of cars waiting for food stretched for miles, capturing the attention of those waiting for hours to receive a Thanksgiving dinner. “I can eat dinner.. for this…it’s too much,” said Matilde Canela, who picked up food at the event.

    Lorena Ortega from the Hispanic American Alliance Group expressed mixed emotions about the event. “It’s sad because people are needing but it’s happiness that we can help them, so it’s a joint emotion as the same time,” she said.

    The event brought smiles to many faces, highlighting the community’s spirit of giving and support during the holiday season.

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  • That was fast: Man who accosted Ariana Grande last week is serving time already in Singapore

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    The law works quickly in Singapore, where last week an Australian man with a habit of disrupting events charged at Ariana Grande after jumping a barrier at the Asian premiere of “Wicked: For Good.”

    This week, he’s already serving his sentence for the offense.

    Johnson Wen, 26, was convicted Monday of being a public nuisance and sentenced to nine days in jail, the BBC reported. Videos from the Thursday incident show Wen jumping a barricade at Universal Studios Singapore and running at Grande, then putting his arms around her neck and shoulders while jumping up and down and flashing a big smile to the cameras. He was separated from his shocked target by her co-star Cynthia Erivo and escorted off by security.

    But that wasn’t all — Wen tried a second time to jump the barricades that lined the event’s yellow carpet but was pinned down by security, the BBC said. He was arrested Friday.

    The Australian was in Singapore on a 90-day tourist visa and has been in custody since his arrest. He was sentenced Monday after the prosecution requested a week behind bars on a charge that carries up to a three-month sentence, according to Singapore’s the Straits Times.

    “Dude this is is not okay,” one commenter had written Thursday on Wen’s Instagram post showing him charging onto the carpet and grabbing Grande. “Look how badly you scared her! You put hands on her. I sincerely hope you [are] charged with something and banned from events.”

    The judge in Singapore apparently thought something similar when speaking with Wen at the trial.

    Wen has disrupted several celebrity and sporting events by running onto stages and into the middle of sporting events, including at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. “I won’t do it again, your honor,” he told the judge when asked if there was anything to mitigate his behavior, per the Straits Times.

    “Are you paying lip service or is this your intention?” the judge asked. Wen replied in the affirmative, saying he was “going to stop.”

    The judge referenced Wen’s earlier intrusions and noted that he hadn’t faced consequences previously, the Straits Times reported.

    “Perhaps you thought the same would occur here, but Mr. Wen, you are wrong,” the judge said, adding that there are always consequences to actions.

    The judge said Wen seemed “to be attention-seeking, thinking only of yourself, and not the safety of others, when committing these acts.” He said the act was premeditated and added two days to the requested sentence. It’s unclear whether Wen was also fined.

    Prosecutors had labeled him a “serial intruder” who was aiming for clout online, the BBC reported.

    Wen, who goes by “Pyjama Man” online, wrote on Instagram as he posted video of himself during the Thursday incident, “Dear Ariana Grande Thank You for letting me Jump on the Yellow Carpet with You.” Commenters did not support his enthusiasm.

    After doing promotion for “Wicked: For Good” with a number of her castmates in cities around the world, Grande did not mention what happened in Singapore when she appeared at a Q&A about the film on Saturday in Century City. On Sunday, she attended the motion picture academy’s 16th Governors Awards at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood, where Tom Cruise was given an honorary Oscar, along with Debbie Allen, Dolly Parton and production designer Wynn Thomas.

    The U.S. premiere of “Wicked: For Good” — which also stars Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard — is planned for Monday in New York, with the movie opening domestically in wide release Thursday.

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    Christie D’Zurilla

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  • Community holds vigil to remember tattoo artist who died after Orlando police standoff

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    NEXT 15 MINUTES. A COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER IN ORLANDO TONIGHT TO REMEMBER A YOUNG TATTOO ARTIST WHO THEY SAY WAS KILLED IN A POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTING DURING A RAID AT THAT BUSINESS. WESH TWO DAVID JONES HAS THE STORY. SAY THIS WOULD MEAN THAT OUR CHILDREN, OUR CHILDREN, NOT ON OUR WATCH, NOT ON OUR WATCH. A TEARFUL NIGHT OF REMEMBRANCE FOR A 20 YEAR OLD TATTOO ARTIST NAMED CALEB WILLIAMS. WE STAND, WE STAND. OUT. WE STAND. SAY LOUDER. WE STAND. THEY MARKED THE VIGIL WITH A BALLOON RELEASE HONORING THE YOUNG FATHER. THEY SAY WILLIAMS WAS AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER IN FRIDAY’S STANDOFF, AND POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTING. YOU’RE FIGHTING TO PROTECT PEOPLE, NOT KILL THEM. FAMILY AND FRIENDS LENT WILLIAMS MOM, NATALIE BURCH, ESCRIBANO SUPPORT AS SHE DEMANDED ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HER SON’S SLAYING. THIS WAS NOT THIS WAS NOT MEANT FOR HIM. HE DIDN’T HAVE NO WARRANT. HE DIDN’T HE. HE WASN’T ARMED. THEY LITERALLY HE WAS AT THE WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME. HE WAS RIGHT, RIGHT BEHIND. HE WAS RIGHT BEHIND HIM. AND HE JUST HE JUST HE WAS JUST THERE. WESH TWO WAS OVER THE SCENE FRIDAY. IT WAS A SWAT STANDOFF. ORLANDO POLICE SAY THEY ARRIVED ON SCENE AT 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON TO SERVE A WARRANT ON, QUOTE, MULTIPLE SUSPECTS. THEY GAVE RAP SHEETS FOR THE INDIVIDUALS, BUT DID NOT SAY IF ANY HAD BEEN ARRESTED. FOLLOWING THE STANDOFF AND A SHOOTING MINUTES AFTER THEY ARRIVED. THEY DIDN’T IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AT ALL. THERE WAS NO NOTHING, NO NOTHING. NOT ONE TIME, HE LITERALLY WAS JUST WALKING DOWN A HALLWAY AND CAUGHT THE BULLET, POLICE SAID. SOMEONE WENT OUTSIDE OF THE BUSINESS WITH A AK 47 STYLE RIFLE. OFFICERS SAY THEY SHOT AT THE SUSPECT AS THE INDIVIDUAL RETREATED INSIDE WHEN THEY MADE ENTRY. AN HOUR LATER, THEY SAY THEY FOUND A SUSPECT DEAD. WILLIAMS COMMUNITY SAYS HE WAS NEVER A SUSPECT SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE SCENE. HE WAS SERVING A WARRANT, A REAL WARRANT. YOU WOULD HAVE. OFFICER WOULD HAVE CAME IN AND GAVE IT TO YOU. YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO COME IN LIKE THAT IN DUE TIME. LIKE I SAID, I DON’T SAY, I DON’T SAY, LONG LIVE CALEB CAN. HE’S STILL STANDING WITH US. HE’S STILL STANDING HERE. BUT I PROMISE YOU, FOR HIS SON, FOR HIS MOTHER. WE’RE GOING TO SPEAK. COVERING ORA

    Community holds vigil to remember tattoo artist who died after Orlando police standoff

    Updated: 11:48 AM EST Nov 17, 2025

    Editorial Standards

    A tearful vigil held Sunday evening for a slain tattoo artist and young father culminated in a balloon release and calls for accountability in the SWAT standoff that ultimately took his life.Family identified the man who was killed during Friday’s police standoff as Kaleb Williams, a 20-year-old tattoo artist working at the parlor at Edgewater and Lee in Orlando. The Orlando Police Department said a search warrant was being served at the business around 2 p.m. Friday, and less than five minutes later, police opened fire from outside of the business as a person holding an “AK-47 style” rifle exited and then reentered the parlor.According to OPD, “multiple suspects” were being served a search warrant “related to drugs and firearms,” with the department also providing a lengthy rap sheet for the suspects.When police officers entered the business around an hour later, they found a person dead.Ultimately, OPD has not said whether anyone is in custody following Friday’s events.But the family of Williams disputed OPD’s account of what happened, saying their loved one was not a “suspect” and should have never died.”This was not meant for him,” said Williams’ mother, Natalie Birch-Escribano. “He didn’t have no warrant, he wasn’t armed, they literally, he was at the wrong place, wrong time.”Williams was at work doing tattoos at the time all of this went down Friday afternoon.”They didn’t identify themselves at all, at all. There was no nothing, no nothing,” she said. “He literally was just walking down a hallway and caught the bullets.”WESH 2 has followed up with OPD to ask about any arrests made, whether Williams was the subject of the search warrant, and whether police were still working to identify other suspects.But the department said Friday that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement would be handling the investigation of the events.”You’re fighting to protect people, not kill them!” said Williams’ best friend, Blair Gusmas. “I don’t say long live Kaleb, because he’s still standing with us. He’s still here. But I promise you, for his son, for his mother, we are going to speak.”

    A tearful vigil held Sunday evening for a slain tattoo artist and young father culminated in a balloon release and calls for accountability in the SWAT standoff that ultimately took his life.

    Family identified the man who was killed during Friday’s police standoff as Kaleb Williams, a 20-year-old tattoo artist working at the parlor at Edgewater and Lee in Orlando.

    The Orlando Police Department said a search warrant was being served at the business around 2 p.m. Friday, and less than five minutes later, police opened fire from outside of the business as a person holding an “AK-47 style” rifle exited and then reentered the parlor.

    According to OPD, “multiple suspects” were being served a search warrant “related to drugs and firearms,” with the department also providing a lengthy rap sheet for the suspects.

    When police officers entered the business around an hour later, they found a person dead.

    Ultimately, OPD has not said whether anyone is in custody following Friday’s events.

    But the family of Williams disputed OPD’s account of what happened, saying their loved one was not a “suspect” and should have never died.

    “This was not meant for him,” said Williams’ mother, Natalie Birch-Escribano. “He didn’t have no warrant, he wasn’t armed, they literally, he was at the wrong place, wrong time.”

    Williams was at work doing tattoos at the time all of this went down Friday afternoon.

    “They didn’t identify themselves at all, at all. There was no nothing, no nothing,” she said. “He literally was just walking down a hallway and caught the bullets.”

    WESH 2 has followed up with OPD to ask about any arrests made, whether Williams was the subject of the search warrant, and whether police were still working to identify other suspects.

    But the department said Friday that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement would be handling the investigation of the events.

    “You’re fighting to protect people, not kill them!” said Williams’ best friend, Blair Gusmas. “I don’t say long live Kaleb, because he’s still standing with us. He’s still here. But I promise you, for his son, for his mother, we are going to speak.”

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  • Orlando police discuss how to stay safe this Halloween

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    Orlando police discuss how to stay safe this Halloween

    The Orlando Police Department will hosts its annual trunk-or-treat event on Thursday, Oct. 30 from 4-7 p.m.

    AGENCIES ACROSS CENTRAL FLORIDA ARE GOING INTO OVERDRIVE TO HELP KEEP EVERYONE SAFE AND MAKE THE MOST OF HALLOWEEN. YOU SEE OUR COUNTDOWN TO DAYS 14 HOURS, 17 MINUTES AND 45 SECONDS. BUT WHO’S GETTING SPECIFIC? CORPORAL MICHELLE ROGERS AND SERGEANT RODNEY VANCE FROM THE ORLANDO POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANKS SO MUCH FOR COMING IN, GUYS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. WE’RE HAPPY TO BE HERE. LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT PARENTS GUARDIANS NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT. WE IT’S A VERY EXCITING TIME OF YEAR. BUT ALSO WHAT KIND OF CONVERSATIONS MAYBE WE SHOULD BE HAVING WITH OUR KIDS AHEAD OF FRIDAY. IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ALWAYS ABOUT SAFETY, AND SAFETY IS ALWAYS PARAMOUNT WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING FUN, AND SOMETIMES WE GET CAUGHT UP IN THE MOMENT, SO IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE REMINDING YOURSELF ABOUT THINGS OF SAFETY, LIKE WEARING REFLECTIVE CLOTHING, STAYING WELL LIT, THINGS THAT GLOW, MAKING SURE THAT PARENTS ARE CHECKING CANDY IF THINGS ARE UNWRAPPED, MAKE SURE YOU JUST TOSS IT. DON’T EVEN BOTHER FOLLOWING TRAFFIC RULES. THINGS OF THAT NATURE. LET’S TALK SPECIFICALLY WHEN IT COMES TO OUR YOUNGER KIDS, WHEN THEY GO OUT TRICK OR TREATING, MINE ARE SEVEN AND NINE AND THEY ASK, MOM, CAN WE GO OUT BY OURSELVES? I SAID, NO, SORRY, I’M GOING TO BE GOING WITH YOU. WHAT KIND OF CONVERSATION SHOULD WE BE HAVING WITH THAT AGE? SO WITH THAT AGE AND I HAVE LITTLE ONES TOO, SO I CAN RELATE. I USUALLY SIT DOWN WITH THEM AND TALK ABOUT A PLAN. INVOLVE THEM IN YOUR PLAN. PLAN YOUR ROUTE. ALSO TALK ABOUT WE’RE ONLY GOING TO VISIT HOMES THAT ARE WELL LIT, THAT HAVE DECORATIONS OF HALLOWEEN, AND THEY’RE PARTICIPATING IN THE FESTIVITIES. ANOTHER THING TO REMIND OUR LITTLE ONES TOO, IS THAT USE THE SIDEWALK. THEY KNOW. LOOK TO THE LEFT. LOOK TO THE RIGHT. BEFORE CROSSING. USE MOMMY’S HAND. THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT THAT THEY ALREADY KNOW. BUT LIKE I SAID BEFORE, SOMETIMES THEY GET EXCITED AND CAUGHT UP IN THE MOMENT MOMENT. SO STRENGTH IN NUMBERS RELY ON YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR FRIENDS, MORE EYES. TRICK OR TREAT. AS A GROUP. IT’S A GREAT THING AND A GREAT TOOL TO HAVE AS YOUR FRIENDS. MINE IS A WEREWOLF AND EVEN HIS MASK. I WAS LIKE, I MIGHT HAVE TO CUT THE HOLES AROUND THE EYES A LITTLE BIT MORE BECAUSE I FELT LIKE HE COULDN’T EVEN SEE, YOU KNOW, WHERE HE WAS WALKING. SO HAVING TO BE CAREFUL. THAT’S A GREAT IDEA ABOUT OUR TEENS. I KNOW OUR TEENS PROBABLY WANT TO GO OUT AND BE BY THEMSELVES. SO WHAT SHOULD WE TELL OUR KIDS THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT OLDER, A LITTLE BIT OF THE SAME TIPS THAT GO ALONG WITH THE YOUNG ONES. MAKE SURE THEY STAY IN GROUPS. MAKE SURE THEIR COSTUMES THAT IF THEY’RE CARRYING ANYTHING THAT MAY LOOK LIKE A WEAPON, THAT THE WEAPONS CLEARLY LOOK LIKE THEY’RE FAKE. SO PEOPLE DON’T CONFUSE THEM WITH BEING REAL. MAKE SURE THAT THEY ALL HAVE PHONES THESE DAYS. SO MAKE SURE IF YOU’RE NOT GOING TO BE WITH THEM THAT THEY HAVE THEIR LOCATION SERVICES ON THEIR PHONE ON. SO IF SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN, YOU KNOW WHERE THEY ARE. AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE, AS A PARENT, HAVE A GENERAL IDEA OF WHO THEY’RE GOING OUT WITH. DON’T JUST LET THEM GO ON OUT WITH PEOPLE WHO YOU MAY NOT KNOW. THAT WAY, IF YOU CAN’T GET IN CONTACT WITH THEM, THERE’S SOMEBODY ELSE IN THE GROUP THAT YOU CAN GET IN CONTACT WITH. I WAS RAISED BY MILITARY FOLK. THEY SAID, FILE THE FLIGHT PLAN AND STICK TO IT. THAT’S RIGHT. MISCONCEPTIONS, THINGS THAT WE DON’T THINK ABOUT THAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW, THINGS THAT WE DON’T THINK ABOUT SOMETIMES IS JUST TRICK OR TREATING AS A GROUP. SOMETIMES WE JUST GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RUSHING OF GETTING THE COSTUMES ON AND RUSHING AND TRYING TO GO BEFORE IT GETS DARK OUT. BUT ONE THING THAT YOU CAN REMEMBER IS BRING A FLASHLIGHT. A FLASHLIGHT CAN ALSO LIGHT YOUR PATH ONCE THE STREETLIGHTS COME ON, IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT IT’S TIME TO STOP HAVING FUN. IT JUST MEANS THAT WE’RE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR SAFETY. AND IF WE WORK TOGETHER, IT’S GOING TO BE AWESOME AND YOU GUYS CAN HAVE A SAFE HALLOWEEN. SPEAKING OF SAFE, YOU GUYS HAVE AN EVENT. WHAT ARE THE DETAILS FOR THAT? YES. SO ON THURSDAY AT OUR HEADQUARTERS BUILDING ON SOUTH STREET, WE’LL BE HAVING A TRUNK OR TREAT EVENT FROM 4 TO 7 P.M. WE’RE GOING TO HAVE OFFICERS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT ARE GOING TO BE SETTING UP THEIR CARS. WE’LL HAVE PLENTY OF CANDY AND EVENTS FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES TO COME OUT AND ENJOY IN THE SAFETY OF THE POLICE STATION. YOU KNOW IT’S SAFE AND YOU GET TO MEET SOME OF YOUR LOCAL HEROES, TOO. THAT IS A GREAT WAY TO DO THAT. WE DID HAVE THE INFORMATION UP ON THE SCREEN. WE’LL ALSO POST A LINK TO THIS ON OUR WEBSITE WESH.COM. SERGEANT VANCE

    Orlando police discuss how to stay safe this Halloween

    The Orlando Police Department will hosts its annual trunk-or-treat event on Thursday, Oct. 30 from 4-7 p.m.

    Updated: 9:24 PM EDT Oct 28, 2025

    Editorial Standards

    Sergeant Rodney Vance and Corporal Michelle Rogers of the Orlando Police Department join WESH 2 to discuss how kids, teens and families can stay safe this Halloween.OPD will hosts its annual trunk-or-treat event on Thursday, Oct. 30 from 4-7 p.m. The free community event will be held at the department’s headquarters on West South Street.Click here to learn more.

    Sergeant Rodney Vance and Corporal Michelle Rogers of the Orlando Police Department join WESH 2 to discuss how kids, teens and families can stay safe this Halloween.

    OPD will hosts its annual trunk-or-treat event on Thursday, Oct. 30 from 4-7 p.m.

    The free community event will be held at the department’s headquarters on West South Street.

    Click here to learn more.

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  • Dozens of ‘No Kings’ protests will be held across Los Angeles County

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    Building on the “No Kings” protests in June, organizations across the United States, including those in Southern California, are once again rallying and marching Saturday to protest against the Trump administration.

    On June 14, more than 50 million people across all 50 states joined in one of the largest single-day protests against “President Trump’s authoritarianism,” according to Studio City Rising, a local event organizer.

    The latest “No Kings” rallies and marches will take place in dozens of Los Angeles County locations.

    “Our community is peacefully coming together to push back against President Trump’s violent, authoritarian actions,” said Studio City Rising. “We’re standing with our neighbors and residents from all over our city to share a simple resolved message: We don’t do dictators or kings in America. Our diversity is our strength and empathy is our superpower.”

    The national event is backed by groups that include the American Civil Liberties Union, American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, 50501 Movement, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Public Citizen and Service Employees International Union.

    An interactive map of “No Kings” events across the U.S. can be found online.

    Here is an alphabetical list of 30 of the “No Kings” rallies in Los Angeles County, the times and locations, along with notes for attendees.

    Alhambra
    When: 10 a.m. to noon
    Where: Alhambra Park, 500 N. Palm Ave.
    Event notes: Attendees will gather at the park on the corner of Alhambra Road and North Palm Avenue. There will be access to restrooms.

    Beverly Hills
    When: 2 to 4 p.m.
    Where: Along Olympic Boulevard at Roxbury Park, 471 South Roxbury Drive
    Event notes: Nearby on-street parking is available. Organizers encourage attendees to carpool to avoid any parking problems.

    Burbank
    When: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
    Where: Abraham Lincoln Park, 300 N. Buena Vista St.
    Event notes: Attendees will have access to restrooms. The event will take place mainly on flat ground.

    Covina
    When: 4 to 7 p.m.
    Where: Heritage Plaza Park, 400 N. Citrus Ave.
    Event notes: Attendees will have access to bathrooms and the rally will take place mainly on flat ground.

    El Segundo
    When: 10 a.m. to noon
    Where: Main Street and East Imperial Avenue
    Event notes: Organizers say this rally is slated to be a family-friendly, dog-friendly and nonviolent community event. Attendees are asked to stay on the grassy areas and off of the roads.

    Glendale
    When: noon to 2 p.m.
    Where: Public plaza outside the Social Security Office, 225 W. Broadway
    Event notes: The event will take place mainly on flat ground.

    La Habra
    When: 10 a.m. to noon
    Where: The corner of South Beach Boulevard and Imperial Highway
    Event notes: Attendees will have access to bathrooms and dedicated parking spots.

    Lakewood
    When: noon to 2 p.m.
    Where: Lakewood City Hall, 5050 Clark Ave.
    Event notes: Attendees are asked to meet in front of Lakewood City Hall at noon for a quick introduction speech along with a reading of the poem, “Bread and Roses” by James Oppenheim. Accommodations such as water and earplugs will be available at the first aid table.

    Long Beach
    When: noon to 3:45 p.m.
    Where: The corner of East Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue
    Event notes: Attendees are encouraged to bring signs, water, lawn chairs and walking shoes.

    Los Angeles
    When: noon to 2 p.m.
    Where: Los Angeles Unified School District Headquarters, 333 S. Beaudry Ave.
    Event notes: Education Workers including school custodians, teachers, special education assistants, food service workers, principals, school maintenance workers, child care providers and others will rally and march from the headquarters of the Los Angeles Unified School District to join the massive “No Kings” rally in downtown Los Angeles.

    Los Angeles, downtown
    When: 2 to 5 p.m.
    Where: 200 N. Spring St.
    Event notes: The rally and march is hosted by Democracy Action Network and Indivisible DTLA No Kings. The event will be held mainly on flat ground.

    Los Angeles, downtown
    When: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
    Where: In the larger park, up the hill from the main crowd where the park intersects North Hill Street
    Event notes: No Kings Silver Lake suggests protesters join the event dressed as a taco. Anyone with an extra taco costume is encouraged to bring it for other attendees.

    Los Angeles, Pico Robertson
    When: 4 to 5:30 p.m.
    Where: The corner of La Cienega and West Pico boulevards
    Event notes: The event will take place mainly on flat ground.

    Los Angeles, Historic Filipinotown
    When: 10 a.m. to noon
    Where: Unidad Park and Community Garden, 1644 Beverly Blvd.
    Event notes: The rally will be hosted by the Indivisible – Historic Filipinotown / Echo Park and the Filipino American Lakas Alliance. It will be held mainly on flat ground.

    East Los Angeles
    When: 8:45 a.m. to noon
    Where: Salazar Park, 3864 Whittier Blvd.
    Event notes: Organizers encourage attendees to wear face masks as a flu and COVID-19 precaution.

    Southeast L.A., Lynwood
    When: noon to 2:30 p.m.
    Where: The corner of Atlantic Avenue and Imperial Highway
    Event notes: The rally will take place mainly on flat ground.

    Pasadena
    When: 1 to 3 p.m.
    Where: Pasadena City Hall, 100 Garfield Ave.
    Event notes: The event will include seven speakers including Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) and Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena). Music will be provided by the Nextdoors band and the All Saints drum circle. A long banner-style petition will be available for attendees to sign.

    Rancho Palos Verdes
    When: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
    Where: 1 Trump National Drive
    Event notes: The No Kings Harbor of Hope Rally will include parking access for attendees and will take place mainly on flat ground.

    San Dimas
    When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Where: The corner of West Arrow Highway and West Bonita Avenue
    Event notes: The rally will take place on flat ground.

    San Pedro
    When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Where: The address will be shared upon submitting an online RSVP.
    Event notes: Organizers anticipate a large showing of demonstrators as a car show is taking place the same weekend. The rally will take place mainly on flat ground and there will be bathrooms nearby.

    Santa Monica
    When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Where: Palisades Park on Ocean Avenue
    Event notes: Event hosts say parking is available at the beach parking lots and attendees can walk over the Montana Avenue or Idaho Avenue bridge to the rally. Attendees are encouraged to spread across Palisades Park from the California Incline to San Vicente Boulevard while staying on the grass. Santa Monica police officers will be in attendance to keep the event peaceful.

    Sherman Oaks
    When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Where: 15233 Ventura Blvd.
    Event notes: The rally will take place across from the Sherman Oaks Galleria. Attendees will have access to restrooms and dedicated parking spots.

    Sierra Madre
    When: 10 a.m. to noon
    Where: 1 Kersting Court
    Event notes: An Indivisible group, Rooted in Resistance SGV, is sponsoring the event.

    Studio City
    When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Where: The corner of Laurel Canyon and Ventura boulevards in Studio City
    Event notes: Attendees should line up on Ventura Boulevard.

    Torrance
    When: 10 a.m. to noon
    Where: El Prado Park, 2201 W. Carson St.
    Event notes: The march will begin at El Prado Park, which is directly across from Torrance High School, and end at Torrance City Hall. Participants are asked to keep sidewalks clear, stay on the grass and avoid blocking entrances and driveways. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own signs, flags, water, snacks, sunscreen as well as comfortable hats and shoes. Protest hosts, Indivisible South Bay LA, have provided the chants online so that participants can print them ahead of the event.

    Venice Beach
    When: Noon to 3 p.m.
    Where: The corner of Abbot Kinney and Venice boulevards
    Event Notes: Attendees are encouraged to bring water, signs and comfortable shoes.

    Westchester/Playa
    When: 4 to 5 p.m.
    Where: The corner of South Sepulveda and South La Tijera boulevards
    Event notes: The rally will take place mainly on flat ground.

    Whittier
    When: 4 to 5:30 p.m.
    Where: Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn St.
    Event notes: The Whittier Indivisible Chapter is hosting the rally and march which will begin at the Whittier City Hall. Attendees are encouraged to wear patriotic clothing and bring handcrafted signs and flags.

    Whittier
    When: 8 to 9 a.m.
    Where: 605 Freeway overpass on Obregon Street
    Event notes: Attendees will rally on the 605 Freeway overpass.

    Wilmington
    When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Where: The corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Avalon Boulevard
    Event notes: Attendees are encouraged to create their own signs and help clean up when the rally is over.

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    Karen Garcia

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  • Golden Globes to host tribute event in Brazil in 2026

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    Los Angeles [US], October 16 (ANI): The Golden Globes is set to spotlight Brazilian entertainment with a special celebration in March in Rio de Janeiro. Organised in partnership with Urland Ventures, the event will honour outstanding talent across both film and television.

    ‘The Golden Globes have a long history of recognising international talent, and Brazil has given the world some of the most extraordinary voices, stories, and artistic vision,’ said Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne.

    ‘We are excited to celebrate and recognise these incredible Latin American artists.’

    The Brazilian celebration is the latest in the Globes’ mission to expand its footprint around the world by hosting events in major international entertainment hubs, celebrating local storytelling and highlighting regional talent on the global stage, as per Variety.

    Brazilian actors and creatives have been attracting international attention lately, with this year’s Oscar for international feature film going to Walter Salles’ ‘I’m Still Here,’ which was also nominated for best picture and best actress. ‘I’m Still Here’ was also nominated for a Golden Globe for foreign language film.

    The event is produced in partnership with Passage Pictures CEO Uri Singer and entertainment entrepreneur Orlando John. (ANI)

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  • I-5 may be shut down due to concerns over live-fire military event at Camp Pendleton

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    Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office is weighing whether to close parts of Interstate 5 beginning Friday amid concerns over what it says is a White House-directed plan to use live ordnance during a military anniversary celebration off Camp Pendleton’s coast in San Diego County — where Navy ships are expected to fire over the freeway onto the base.

    Newsom’s office has received, but not confirmed, reports that live ordnance will be fired from offshore vessels during the event commemorating the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary. The event is titled “Sea to Shore — A Review of Amphibious Strength” and will feature Vice President JD Vance.

    Newsom’s office said it has received little information about the event or safety plans. The military show of force coincides with No Kings rallies and marches across the state on Saturday that are expected to draw large crowds, demonstrations challenging Trump and what critics say is government overreach.

    “Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military,” Newsom posted on the social media site X Wednesday.

    A military media advisory said the celebration will include a live amphibious assault demonstration. The Times could not confirm whether live ordnance will be fired over the freeway. The White House and Marine Corps did not respond to questions from The Times.

    “California always honors our Marines — but this isn’t the right way to go about it,” said a Newsom spokesperson. “The White House should focus on paying their military, lowering grocery prices and honoring these soldiers for their service instead of pompous displays of power. The lack of coordination and communication from the federal government on this event — and the overall impact to our society and economy — is evident of the larger disarray that is the Trump Administration.”

    Freeway closures are being considered for a section of I-5 between Orange County to San Diego County from Friday to Saturday, which would cut off a major traffic artery that moves upward of 80,000 travelers a day. A closure with little notice would likely result in massive gridlock from Dana Point in the north to well past Del Mar in the south.

    Vance, the first Marine veteran to serve as vice president, is expected to attend the event Saturday along with 15,000 Marines, Sailors, veterans and their families, according to event’s media release. Along with Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to deliver remarks.

    Camp Pendleton advised nearby residents that there will be live-fire training with high explosive munitions through Sunday, which will result in some roads on base being closed.

    The Trump administration previously had plans for a major celebration next month for the 250th anniversary of the Navy and Marines, which would have included an air and sea show — with the Blue Angels and parading warships — attended by President Trump, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Plans to host that show in San Diego have been called off, the paper reported.

    Camp Pendleton is a 125,000-acre base in northwestern San Diego County that has been critical in preparing soldiers for amphibious missions since World War II thanks to its miles of beach and coastal hills. The U.S. Department of Defense is considering making a portion of the base available for development or lease.

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    Melody Gutierrez

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