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Letters: Taxation matters. Which states are growing and which aren’t?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:31 GMT

Which states are growing?I have no difficulty with the headline of David Schultz’s column in the April 20, Pioneer Press: “Competing for businesses? A lot matters more than local tax-break bait”.  However, in the column he tries to extend this to the general level of taxation in a state, and this is where he goes wrong.For tax breaks such as TIFs, he references several studies that specific tax breaks (in contrast to the general level of taxation) have little influence. For overall taxation he relies on more general surveys asking the question, what roles does taxation make in the decision process? In these studies, taxation comes out lower than other factors.Surveys and academic studies are interesting but what is missing from Schultz’s column is what is happening in the real world. In the past several years which states have had growth in businesses and population and which states have had negative or flat growth?  The low-tax states (Texas, Florida, Georgia) have had strong...

St. Louis-area farmers scramble to save crops from the cold

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:31 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Mother Nature surprised many around St. Louis on Earth Day, which brings near-freezing weekend temperatures to the region overnight. That freeze has many farmers scrambling to save their crops. If the plants don’t make it, it could be devastating to their bottom line. Andrew Wellie has spent most of the last three days on Theis Farm, moving tarps and brinks to cover acres of strawberries. The berries very sensitive this time of year, especially when temps are expected to get below freezing.   Frost Advisory and Freeze Warning early Monday morning, temps in 60s through week “This is pretty substantial, getting this cold," said Wellie. "Usually, we might get 35 with a possible frost, but 32 and a freeze is really a bit much at this time." He shared that the tarp keeps in the heat from the soil, but he still won't sleep well. "I’m going to worry that if the tarps blow off at any point, whatever blows away and becomes exposed to the cold, those b...

At least one hospitalized in overnight shooting on Hollywood Walk of Fame 

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:31 GMT

A shooting on the Hollywood Walk of Fame sent at least one person in the hospital and marked the second shooting in Hollywood in as many nights. The incident took place in front of a 7-Eleven convenience store at the intersection of Hollywood Blvd. and Wilcox Avenue around 1 a.m. Sunday morning. Video of the scene shows paramedics providing medical aid to a victim lying on the sidewalk while police put up crime scene tape and canvassed the area for leads and suspects. An employee at 7-Eleven told KTLA 5’s Annie Rose Ramos that they were closed for “a couple of hours” but was not willing to give any more details. This is a developing story. Stay with KTLA for updates.

Two shot at quinceañera party at Laguna Hills Community Center

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:31 GMT

Two people rushed to the hospital after being hit by gunfire at a quinceañera party in Laguna Hills on Saturday night. Gunfire erupted behind the Laguna Hills Community Center, where the party was being held, around 10:30 p.m. Two people were hospitalized in unknown condition. Video shows bullet casings scattered across the ground as police investigate the scene. No suspects have been taken into custody and a motive has not been determined. 

Hemp Flower Meets Aloe Vera — Can CBD Take Aloe To Another Level?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:31 GMT

View the original article about CBD And Aloe Vera at Real Tested CBD.The gooey gel from the aloe vera plant is one of the oldest & most widely-used remedies for skin conditions. Pretty much every skincare product designed to soothe redness, itchiness, or cuts will likely have a significant trace of aloe vera in it. And it’s not just dermatologists that have used aloe vera in their practice. There’s emerging evidence that aloe vera may also benefit gut and gum health.Although aloe vera has a long reputation for healing the body, hemp-extracted CBD has quickly ascended the ranks in the skincare space. Indeed, many skincare manufacturers have now begun adding CBD to their aloe formulations. Although CBD topicals don’t have the long track record of aloe vera products, many customers claim CBD may bolster aloe’s effectiveness.How Could CBD Make Aloe Vera Better?Studies worldwide suggest CBD shares many of aloe vera’s positive traits. Most significantly, CBD seems to have anti-inflamm...

Campbell to help Keep America Beautiful on May 6

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:31 GMT

Keeping Campbell beautifulThe City of Campbell will host its annual Keep America Beautiful event on Saturday, May 6. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m., and the event will kick off at 9 a.m. and run until noon at John D. Morgan Park near the corner of Budd Ave and San Tomas Expressway.Cleanup efforts will focus on planting new shrubs, installing erosion control netting and adding water-saving mulch to the planter area.The cleanup will take place rain or shine. Volunteers will receive instructions on safety and debris removal. Gloves, vests and other tools will be available, but volunteers may bring their own gloves and hand tools if desired. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own water jugs and to dress appropriately for the event.Refreshments will be provided in the morning, and the event will conclude with lunch at noon.To register, visit https://www.campbellca.gov/FormCenter/Public-Works-Forms-12/City-of-Campbell-Keep-America-Beautiful–51 or contact the City of Camp...

Willow Glen opens its doors for Lifestyles Home Tour

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:31 GMT

The Willow Glen Lifestyles Home Tour is back for its 39th year on May 6-7.The tour is set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on both days. As ever, proceeds benefit San Jose Day Nursery (SJDN), a nonprofit early learning center founded in 1916 in downtown San Jose. Funds raised from the tour will enhance SJDN programs and provide scholarships for children of low-income working parents.The five homes on this year’s tour include a new home with abundant windows bringing the outdoors inside; a Willow Glen charmer on a tree-lined street; a private residence with an elegant barn and Airstream trailer; a bungalow with unique décor; and a modern single-story home with a one-of-a-kind kitchen.At one designated “garden home,” attendees will be able to enjoy beverages and refreshments in a garden setting, mingle over complimentary wine tasting and purchase snacks and gift items from local vendors and artisans.Tour tickets are $50 at willowglenhometour.com. Home addresses will be revealed after purchase of a ...

Trail of bankruptcy and fraud charges adds twist to derailed Richmond housing development

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:31 GMT

The name of Richmond’s Miraflores development translates to “Behold the Flowers,” but it’s the turmoil around this market-rate and affordable housing complex that’s truly a sight to see.Roughly seven years after the project originally promised to build 190 units on 7.3 acres of city-owned land next to Interstate 80, it has completely unraveled, city staff quietly revealed during a community presentation this month.After the developer took out $10 million in loans against the property — without permission from the city — lenders are pursuing foreclosure, the property’s taxes are delinquent, the land has fallen into disrepair and Richmond has declared the developer to be in default.Miraflores, which was set to be built near the Macdonald Avenue commercial corridor and two BART stations, was heralded for years as a key opportunity to revitalize the older residential community within Richmond’s Park Plaza neighborhood, representing the city’s attempts to transiti...

Latest line: A good week for Adam Schiff, a bad week for Dianne Feinstein

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:31 GMT

Adam SchiffLA-area congressman running to succeed Sen. Dianne Feinstein ends the first quarter of 2023 with $24.7 million cash on hand, far outpacing fellow Democrats Katie Porter ($9.5 million) and Barbara Lee ($1.2 million).    Dianne FeinsteinCalls grow for California’s senior senator, 89, to resign after she hasn’t cast a vote since Feb. 16 due to health problems, and her absence is blocking President Biden from confirming more than 30 federal judges.   Larry ElderRepublican talk radio host, defeated in a landside trying to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021, announces a long-shot run for president. The upside? 15 minutes more of fame, new donor lists and book sales. 

They said it: Viva Las Vegas

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:31 GMT

“We know it’s hard for fans to hear that. We’ve been here over 50 years. We know it’s a bittersweet day. It’s a tough thing to hear that the team could be relocating. But by the same token, the current situation is untenable.”— Dave Kaval, president of the Oakland Athletics, on the Major League Baseball team’s announcement last week that it is now solely focusing its quest for a new ballpark in Las Vegas and ceasing efforts to build at Oakland’s Howard Terminal.