Archive for July, 2010
Further Evidence of the Power of DNA Matches that Solve Violent Crimes
Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. said today that a jury's verdict of first-degree murder this week in a 1988 homicide in Redding is a powerful example of how DNA analysis conducted every day by state laboratories can "stop criminals from getting away with murder." "The Harper conviction, like the Grim Sleeper arrest earlier this month, is further evidence that DNA is becoming an increasingly important factor in fighting violent crime," Brown said. "Work being done every day in our labs stops criminals from getting away with murder." Brian Harper, 40, was convicted Tuesday [...]
Birthing & Breastfeeding Classes offered at ECRMC
EL CENTRO, Calif. – July 28, 2010 – Having a baby is one of the most amazing things that will ever happen to some people; however, it can also be one of the scariest. To help ease and prepare soon-to-be and new parents El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC) offers free classes covering all things baby. ECRMC offers the following classes free of charge: Growing Baby Class, Childbirth Preparation Class, Newborn Care Class and Breastfeeding Preparation Class. “We at ECRMC understand the joys and anxieties of child birth and child rearing,” said Margaret Hatfield, director [...]
Arizona Immigration Law Blocked By Federal Court
Phoenix, AZ - Federal District Judge Susan Bolton issued a 36-page decision blocking enforcement of key provisions to the controversial Arizona immigration law. Judge Bolton wrote: "Applying the proper legal standards based upon well-established precedent, the Court finds that the United States is likely to succeed on the merits in showing that the following Sections of S.B. 1070 are preempted by federal law: Portion of Section 2 of S.B. 1070 A.R.S. § 11-1051(B): requiring that an officer make a reasonable attempt to determine the immigration status of a person stopped, detained or [...]
Baseball Report
By Bob Hurst Yawn. Another no-hitter was thrown this week in Major League Baseball. In the Year of the Pitcher, no-hitters are becoming nearly as frequent as those pitched in high school softball games. There have now been five thrown this season, including two perfect games. Detroit's Armando Galarraga would have had a perfect game last month, but lost it with one out to go in the ninth inning on a bad call at first base by umpire Jim Joyce. Tampa Bay's Matt Garza is the latest one to do it, shutting down the Tigers in a 5-0 win at Tropicana Field on Monday night. And that's not a [...]
“In God We Trust” Again Upheld by Federal Appeals Court
Washington, DC - In a 3-0 decision, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Washington, DC, ruled that the National Motto, "In God We Trust," is constitutional and does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Quoting the 1970 decision in Aronow v. United States, the Court wrote: "It is quite obvious that the national motto and slogan on coinage and currency 'In God We Trust' has nothing whatsoever to do with the establishment of religion." Judges David B. Sentelle, Karen L. Henderson, and David S. Tatel cited four cases in [...]
Comic-Con Draws Successful Crowds of Over 140,000
By Chris Furguson For five cooler than normal days in San Diego, over 140,000 fans, retailers, celebrities and professionals spent time mingling and celebrating the popular arts at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International. This year, fans lined up for hours to get glimpses of their favorite celebrities or artists. Hall H, the convention center’s largest area, saw one line that crossed into the next block due to the popularity of some panels. People waited hours to see glimpses of stars like Sylvester Stallone and Angelina Jolie. The convention itself also saw trailers and [...]
Imperial Valley College Asking Voters to Extend Measure L
Imperial Valley College will be asking voters to extend Measure L to develop funding for a new phase of its 10 year facilities plan that includes new job training and workforce development facilities as well as continued modernization of the 50-year-old campus. The measure, which will be on the November General Election ballot, would raise up to an additional $80 million over the life of the extended taxing authority. There would be no increase in existing property tax rates. "We desperately need vocational, career and technical facilities, but at the same time our board felt it would be [...]
Thwarted Smuggling Attempt Results in Arrest of 24
El Centro, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents and members of the Imperial Valley Border Enforcement Security Task Force arrested two alleged smugglers and the driver of a pickup truck used to smuggle illegal aliens. On July 22 at approximately 9:20 p.m., El Centro sector Border Patrol agents attempted to pull over a pick-up truck which failed to yield near Keystone Road and Highline Road, southeast of Brawley, Calif. The truck was later found off of Gonder Road near a ditch. Upon searching the vehicle, agents discovered 15 people concealed under a tarp in the bed [...]
Probe Launched Into Excessive Local Government Salaries
Spurred by the outrageously high salaries paid to public officials in the city of Bell, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today launched a joint investigation with CalPERS into the compensation paid by Bell and other local governments throughout the state. "These outrageous salaries in Bell are shocking and beyond belief," Brown said. "With record deficits and painful budget cuts facing California cities, astronomical local government salaries raise serious questions and demand a thorough investigation." Brown's probe will examine records to determine whether any illegality, [...]
Hate Crimes in California Drop 20% in 2009
Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today released an "encouraging" 2009 annual report showing that hate crimes in California fell by more than 20% last year, but he warned that we are still a long way from ending bigotry and prejudice. "While the drop in these crimes is encouraging," Brown said, "hate has certainly not been banished from California. The sheer total of incidents motivated by hate is a reminder of how much harder we need to work to overcome prejudice, bigotry and ignorance." The Attorney General's report, "Hate Crime in California 2009" was compiled using data [...]
