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Orange County doctor gets more than 12 years for unnecessary prescriptions for tens of thousands of pills

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:29 GMT

An Orange County doctor was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for prescribing opioids and other drugs to people who did not medically need them.Dr. Dzung Ahn Pham, 61, was sentenced to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison on Friday, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The Tustin-based physician also was fined $35,000.Pham, the owner of Irvine Village Urgent Care, pleaded guilty in October to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances after he "conspired with licensed pharmacist Jennifer Thaoyen Nguyen, 52, of Irvine, who operated the Irvine-based Bristol Pharmacy, to illegally distribute narcotics, including opioids," the DOJ said. Nguyen also pleaded guilty in October and was sentenced to 33 months in prison and a fine of $10,000.Pham prescribed drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone, amphetamine salts and other drugs "outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, including to people he knew were drug add...

Caruso plans to demolish movie theater, add housing, new shops to Calabasas shopping center

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:29 GMT

Real estate mogul and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso has unveiled major renovation plans for The Commons at Calabasas, a popular shopping center in the southwest corner of the San Fernando Valley.The proposal, which was submitted to the city’s planning division in May, calls for up to 10 new stores, new restaurants, demolition of the Regency movie theater complex, and, most notably, the construction of up to 119 apartments.A rendering of proposed changes to The Commons at Calabasas. (Caruso)“After listening to the Calabasas community, we have learned there is great demand for high-quality, elegant apartment homes,” a Caruso representative told KTLA. “Many community members requested [housing] be added to The Commons, including young professionals and families who may have grown up in Calabasas and wish to return, and seniors looking to stay in the community.”The Commons, which opened in 1998, already features several large and established anchor tenants including B...

From Detroit to Hollywood: M Dot Taylor Takes Hip Hop by Storm

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:29 GMT

M Dot Taylor, a multi-talented rapper, singer, and songwriter from the storied Motor City, is a rising star. Get ready to crank up the volume and groove to his tunes. M Dot Taylor is creating waves and forging his own path in the music business with his most recent track, “They Don’t Like That (Remix),” which features Mozzy, Mistah Fab, and King Chip. But let’s take a moment to get to know the man behind the mic before we get into his number-one songs and upcoming ventures.The story of M Dot Taylor, who was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, hasn’t been simple. On World AIDS Day, he unfortunately lost his mother to AIDS at the young age of 12. And if that wasn’t heartbreaking enough, M Dot’s father passed away 11 years and 7 days later, setting off a cascade of feelings. But this strong artist didn’t allow difficulties in life stop him. He remained steadfast in his resolve, turned to his music for comfort, and came out of it stronge...

Box Office Success to Social Awakening: How the Chinese Adaptation of ‘A Dog’s Tale’ Highlights the Changing Attitudes Towards Animal Rights

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:29 GMT

China’s dog and cat meat trade has long been a subject of controversy and outcry both within and beyond its borders. The practice of consuming dog and cat meat has deep historical and cultural roots in some regions of China, where it has been perceived as a traditional culinary preference.However, in recent years, there has been a significant shift in public opinion fueled by increased awareness of animal rights and welfare. The release of the Chinese adaptation of the movie ‘A Dog’s Tale’ has become a cultural phenomenon that reflects this changing landscape.Historically, the dog and meat trade in China has been and continues to be a multi-faceted issue that encompasses cultural, ethical, and legal dimensions. While some argue that it is a cultural practice deeply ingrained in certain communities, others condemn it as a cruel and inhumane industry that causes immense suffering to animals, such as the founder and Executive Director of the Duo Duo Project, And...

Robber hits Oakland bank for second time

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:29 GMT

OAKLAND — A Montclair bank branch was robbed Thursday afternoon by the same man who robbed it in January, authorities said.Thursday’s robbery happened about 4:55 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Bank branch, which is in the Village Square Shopping Center, 2220 Mountain Blvd.Police said the suspect briefly stood in line before approaching a teller, claiming to have a gun and demanding cash. No gun was actually seen and no one was injured.The robber took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled to a car, possibly driven by a woman, that was waiting outside in a lot, authorities said.Authorities said the suspect is the same man who robbed a teller of cash on Jan. 12 after brandishing a pistol and verbally demanding money.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | East Bay woman gets wedding ring back following theft of tote bag from car Crime and Public Safety | Crossbow-wielding man told BART worker, ‘I’ll kill you,’ DA says Crime and ...

Rep. Santos claims ‘family’ relationship with bond cosigners

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:29 GMT

By Larry Neumeister | Associated PressNEW YORK — Rep. George Santos wants to protect family members by asking the courts to keep his bond cosigners secret as he fights criminal charges, his lawyer told a Long Island federal judge Friday as he asked her to reverse a magistrate judge’s decision to make the names public.Attorney Joseph Murray said in a letter to Judge Joanna Seybert, who is based in Central Islip, New York, that Santos would agree to the disclosure that there is a “family” relationship between the Republican congressman and those who signed his bond.News media outlets have challenged the sealing of records regarding the cosigners after Santos pleaded not guilty on May 10 to a 13-count indictment charging that he duped donors, stole from his campaign, lied to Congress about being a millionaire and cheated to collect unemployment benefits he didn’t deserve.The New York Times first sought to unseal the names and other news outlets, including The As...

Actor Mike Batayeh dies at 52; played laundromat manager on ‘Breaking Bad’

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:29 GMT

By Megan Thomas | CNNMike Batayeh, a comedian and actor who played laundromat manager Dennis Markowski in “Breaking Bad,” has died, his manager confirmed to CNN.He was 52.The news was first reported by TMZ, citing Batayeh’s sister, who told the outlet her brother suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Michigan on June 1.“He will be greatly missed by those who loved him and his great ability to bring laughter and joy to so many,” Batayeh’s family said in a statement.Related ArticlesObituaries | The Iron Sheik, pro wrestling villain that fans loved to jeer, dies at 81 Obituaries | Book publisher Richard Snyder dies at 90; ‘warrior-king’ was at heart of Simon & Schuster’s meteoric rise Obituaries | Musician George Winston dies at 73; New Age pianist sold millions of albums Obituaries | BMX star Pat Casey dies in crash at Southern California motocross park Obituaries | Pat Robertson, broad...

Holy Names University lands buyer for huge Oakland hills campus

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:29 GMT

OAKLAND — Holy Names University, which faced the specters of foreclosure, financial woes and a shutdown for months, has landed a buyer that will continue educational activities on the vast Oakland Hills campus.BH Properties, a veteran real estate firm that operates in 18 states, has reached a deal to buy the complex, executives said Friday.“We are excited to announce this long-term investment in the Oakland community. This educational institution has long been a resource to the City of Oakland and the Bay Area,” said Jim Brooks, president of BH Properties. “We expect it to continue to be an asset to the community and its students for years to come.”The property purchase and rescue of the school arrived just days after the lender for the campus land and buildings had scheduled a public auction of the property that could have led to the foreclosure of its delinquent loan.In stark contrast to the forbidding prospect of a foreclosure, the campus now is pois...

San Jose: Juvenile driver who killed Willow Glen student was under the influence after party, police say

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:29 GMT

SAN JOSE — The driver who hit and killed a 15-year-old Willow Glen High School student in the parking lot of an apartment complex early Wednesday morning was under the influence of alcohol, according to San Jose police.The crash was reported at at 12:56 a.m. Wednesday, on the residential 2400 block of Rinconada Drive, near Almaden Expressway and Curtner Avenue. The driver, a girl under the age of 18, struck and killed a teenage boy, later identified as Justin Estria, who was on foot near the entrance of a parking lot to an apartment building. Police said she was driving at a low rate of speed, remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.On Friday, a San Jose Police Department spokesperson confirmed to the Bay Area News Group that the driver was arrested after the crash, and later released.Police said the girl, whose exact age remained unspecified, was under the influence of alcohol and was at a party that night. Estria, who was also at a party, is suspected to have b...

Peet’s Coffee permanently closes East Oakland warehouse, lays off 100-plus workers

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:29 GMT

OAKLAND — Peet’s Coffee will permanently shut its East Oakland warehouse, damaged by a roof collapse, a move that eliminates 110 jobs at the site — but also gives employees a chance to recoup their jobs in Tracy.The high-profile beverage company undertook the action in the wake of a roof collapse in March at its Oakland complex, a catastrophe that killed a Peet’s employee.Operations at that facility will not resume, and all employees at the facility will be impacted,” Stefanie McCahon, senior manager of human resources, wrote in a WARN notice sent to state government officials, referring to the East Oakland warehouse. “This closure of operations is expected to be permanent and will impact 110 employees.”In the wake of the shutdown of the distribution center, Peet’s reassigned employees who had been working at the damaged complex to other company sites. These reassignments were temporary.“It (Peet’s) will be opening a new di...