Kcra3 reports
RIO VISTA, Calif. -- Herding efforts to direct the wayward humpback whales in the Delta back to the Pacific Ocean have been suspended in favor of a new set of underwater audio.
At a 3 p.m. press conference on Wednesday, Trevor Spradlin of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the strategy is to play a different set of sounds for the animals.
The first clip is audio of humpback whales feeding in Monterey Bay, the other is audio of killer whales attacking gray whales. Other sets of audio are man-made tones, which may sound unusual to the whales.
NOAA will reassess the effectiveness of the new techniques on Thursday to determine procedures for the weekend. If the new set of audio proves to be ineffective, the rescue efforts will be reduced to an observation period through Monday.
Authorities are also concerned about the impact of hordes of boats expected on the water during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. A 500-yard safety zone has been established around the whales.
Deep cuts on the mother whale and her calf, likely caused by a run-in with a boat, were worsening after more than a week in freshwater surroundings that the pair were not physically well-equipped to inhabit, biologists said.
"I wouldn't say there's a lot of optimism right now," said Brian Gorman, a spokesman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
"They may surprise us again. They may just take off and head down river. But as long as they continue doing what they're doing, we're very worried about them."
Two humpback whales that have wandered in the Delta for more than a week swam nearly as far downstream as the Rio Vista Bridge on Wednesday before heading a short distance upstream.
The whales have drawn intense interest since they were spotted near Rio Vista on May 13. The animals, which normally live in the salt water of the open ocean, are in fresh water about 70 miles inland from the Golden Gate.
Meanwhile, officials are worried that the health of the mother, named Delta, and the calf, called Dawn, may be deteriorating and that injuries to both animals do not appear to be healing.The animals were spotted at about 6:30 a.m. Wednesday just north of the Sacramento River in Cache Slough, roughly the same place they were last seen on Tuesday.Boats were used once again in an effort to herd the mammals downstream. Some boats are fitted with pipes that are partially submerged in the water. People on the boats bang the pipes with hammers, sending out sounds through the water that are intended to drive the whales away. -->
The whales swam downstream Wednesday morning to an area a couple hundred yards from the Rio Vista Bridge before turning around and returning to waters just off the Ryer Island ferry as of noon.
Officials said they were hoping that the incoming tide Wednesday morning would encourage the whales to head back toward the ocean, especially since the animals seem to enjoy swimming against the flow. But that did not appear to make a difference.
The whales were first spotted in the Delta on Mother's Day. They then swam from the Sacramento River up the deep water shipping channel to the Port of Sacramento, where thousands of people gathered on a nearby levee to see them swim.
On Sunday afternoon they headed back down the channel and by early Monday they were near Rio Vista. Since that time, they have been swimming in an area north of the Rio Vista but south of the shipping channel.
For more information about the whale rescue, please e-mail sacramento.whale@noaa.gov.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Part 2 of KCRA 3 hotel story
Getting into rooms at some Sacramento hotels without a key or even identification is relatively easy and points to a need for improved security, a KCRA 3 hidden-camera investigation has found.
After checking into several hotels over the course of months, KCRA 3 approached housekeepers in hallways and claimed to be locked out of a room.
In each case, the housekeeper involved opened rooms and did not ask for identification. Sometimes, KCRA 3 was let into the same room more than once.
KCRA 3 found that maids at the DoubleTree, downtown Holiday Inn and the Radisson all opened room doors upon hearing a claim of being locked out. In each case, no identification was necessary.
At the Holiday Inn, a maid provided access twice. The general manager said housekeepers are routinely told not to let anyone into a room.
At the Radisson, a supervisor asked for a name but no identification. The general manager said the supervisor should have asked for an ID.
When told of the lapses in security, managers at the Holiday Inn and Radisson were cooperative and eager to address the problems.
The managers at the DoubleTree, where pilots and flight attendants say on a routine basis, asked KCRA 3 to turn our video camera off and leave the hotel.
Barry Miller, DoubleTree general manager, refused to comment and said he was not interested in the results of the investigation.
Because so many pilots and flight attendants stay at hotels, the Department of Homeland Security said keeping such lodging safe is a issue of national security.
Pilots travel with official airline identification badges, flight plans and security codes. When they check into a motel, their uniforms and other materials are often left inside their rooms.
The Department of Homeland Security also talks about the importance of hotel security on its Web site.
Previous Story:
May 22, 2007: Security Lax At Some Sacramento Hotels
After checking into several hotels over the course of months, KCRA 3 approached housekeepers in hallways and claimed to be locked out of a room.
In each case, the housekeeper involved opened rooms and did not ask for identification. Sometimes, KCRA 3 was let into the same room more than once.
KCRA 3 found that maids at the DoubleTree, downtown Holiday Inn and the Radisson all opened room doors upon hearing a claim of being locked out. In each case, no identification was necessary.
At the Holiday Inn, a maid provided access twice. The general manager said housekeepers are routinely told not to let anyone into a room.
At the Radisson, a supervisor asked for a name but no identification. The general manager said the supervisor should have asked for an ID.
When told of the lapses in security, managers at the Holiday Inn and Radisson were cooperative and eager to address the problems.
The managers at the DoubleTree, where pilots and flight attendants say on a routine basis, asked KCRA 3 to turn our video camera off and leave the hotel.
Barry Miller, DoubleTree general manager, refused to comment and said he was not interested in the results of the investigation.
Because so many pilots and flight attendants stay at hotels, the Department of Homeland Security said keeping such lodging safe is a issue of national security.
Pilots travel with official airline identification badges, flight plans and security codes. When they check into a motel, their uniforms and other materials are often left inside their rooms.
The Department of Homeland Security also talks about the importance of hotel security on its Web site.
Previous Story:
May 22, 2007: Security Lax At Some Sacramento Hotels
Builder Accused Of Falsifying Inspection Reports KCRA3 reports
YUBA COUNTY, Calif. -- Construction on many new Yuba County homes is on hold as officials look into allegations that inspection records were falsified by developer D.R. Horton.
Red signs ordering a work stoppage have been posted on at least 100 homes being built in the Plumas Lake area.
Building inspectors allege that the developer forged, falsified or changed inspection records on 64 homes.
Permits have been suspended for all D.R. Horton homes now being built in the county.
Subdivisions where work has stopped include Prairie Meadows, which has a sales office on Goldenstar Street, and Prairie Trails, which has a sales office on Snow Goose Street.
County authorities said work will not resume until the company can prove the homes meet building requirements.
Russ Brown, administrator for Yuba County, said it remains unclear who filled out the inspection reports.
D.R. Horton declined to comment on the county's claims on Tuesday, but was expected to issue a statement on Wednesday.
Red signs ordering a work stoppage have been posted on at least 100 homes being built in the Plumas Lake area.
Building inspectors allege that the developer forged, falsified or changed inspection records on 64 homes.
Permits have been suspended for all D.R. Horton homes now being built in the county.
Subdivisions where work has stopped include Prairie Meadows, which has a sales office on Goldenstar Street, and Prairie Trails, which has a sales office on Snow Goose Street.
County authorities said work will not resume until the company can prove the homes meet building requirements.
Russ Brown, administrator for Yuba County, said it remains unclear who filled out the inspection reports.
D.R. Horton declined to comment on the county's claims on Tuesday, but was expected to issue a statement on Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Sacramento 95832: California's Foreclosure Hot Zone News 10 reports
Foreclosure activity in the first quarter of 2007 set a record in Sacramento County. And one Sacramento zip code may be the hardest hit in the entire state.Sagging home values and adjusting mortgages are largely blamed for the 3,077 notices of default sent to Sacramento County homeowners in the first three months of the year.And nowhere is the wave of foreclosure activity more dramatic than in 95832.A News10 analysis of statistics and property records provided by DataQuick Information Systems and ForeclosureS.com shows that in the first three months of 2007, more than two percent of the homeowners in zip code 95832 defaulted on their mortgages.A notice of default is the first step in the foreclosure process and is generally filed after several months of missed payments.At 22 defaults per 1,000 homes, 95832 may lead the state in foreclosure activity for the first quarter of 2007.Statewide zip code level default statistics were not available for the first quarter, but a similar analysis of DataQuick figures by the Los Angeles Times for the three-month period from November to January showed the highest pre-foreclosure rate was 19 defaults per 1,000 homes in a Riverside County zip code.During that same period, 95832 had the fourth-highest default rate in California.95832 is commonly known as Meadowview, a predominantly lower-income community. But many of the homes in the process of foreclosure sold for up to a half-million dollars or more less than two years ago.One third of the 57 homes in default in the first quarter of 2007 are in a subdivision called "The Meadows." Developer JTS communities marketed the project as a relatively affordable alternative to new home subdivisions in Elk Grove and Natomas.But many of the buyers clearly were still reaching beyond their means. And when their loans adjusted above the initial "teaser" rates, there was no equity to fall back on."They are people who were put in bad situations, put in bad loans," said Holly Hisel, a foreclosure specialist with Coldwell Banker. "I think that's where the majority of these are coming from."Hisel spoke to News10 in a bank-owned home on Richfield Way, which may be the hardest hit street in the hardest hit zip code.Of 23 houses on Richfield Way, five went into default in just the first three months of this year."It seems like I post (an auction listing) every other day on Richfield," said Bryan Moulton, an auctioneer with RSVP Auction Company.At a recent courthouse auction, a five-bedroom, four-bathroom 3,500 square foot house on Richfield Way that sold in July 2005 for $526,000 was offered by the bank for $295,000. There were no takers.It's hard to find a block on a street in the Meadows without a foreclosure. Real estate signs litter the neighborhoods.A casual inspection shows many of the homeowners in default walked away from their homes well before the auction date.But some are holding on and hoping for a miracle.Jacqueline Hippard spoke to News10 on the front porch of her home on Expedition Way that was just days away from a foreclosure auction."We're not going to just give up our money like that because we worked too hard for it," Hippard said. Hippard and her husband Jeffrey said they paid $10,000 in late 2005 on a lease-purchase option, but the owner of the house stopped making payments to the lender.The Hippards have hired a lawyer and are fighting the bank to maintain possession. Jacqueline Hippard admits it's a longshot."I'll just leave it in God's hands. That's all I can do," she said.
Mr Bernstein's Hotel Story on KCRA3
Security Lax At Some Sacramento Hotels
KCRA3 Josh Bernsteins report on Hotel rooms
First of two parts
Serious security lapses exist at several of the busiest hotels in Sacramento, a KCRA 3 hidden-camera investigation has found.
KCRA 3 discovered over the course of two months how easy it is for someone else to gain access to your room, your personal belongings and more.
More than two dozen hotels were visted in Sacramento, and with the permission of guests that were staying at the hotels KCRA 3 tried to obtain room keys without providing any identification.
Randomly selected hotels include the downtown Hyatt, Sheraton Grand, Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, Clarion and several others in the surrounding area.
Working undercover, KCRA 3 approached the clerks at the front desk of each hotel. We told each clerk we had locked ourselves out and needed an extra key.
When asked for a photo identification, we told the clerks we had no ID and that we had left our wallet in the room.
At Embassy Suites, a clerk named James said that without a picture ID, he would have to escort us to the room. Upon arrival, a photo ID would be required. The name on the ID had to be the same as that that is registered to the room. He said if it is not the same, entry will be denied.
A clerk at the Sheraton Grand called in the head of security.
Out of 10 hotels, only one of them failed.
At the Clarion Hotel at the corner of 16th and H streets, it took less than two minutes to obtain a key to someone else's room. The clerk did ask for a photo ID, but all KCRA 3 did was tell her we left it in our wallet in the room. Moments later, the clerk handed over the key wihout asking for any more information.
Two female teachers from Pheonix were staying in that room. They said Clarion officials should work harder on checking IDs.
Michael Palmer is the general manager at the Clarion. He said hotel security is hit top priority. He also said employees go through monthly training.
Part of that training focuses on security and reminding employees to never give someone a room key unless they provide proper identification.
He added that the Clarion employee never should have given out the key and said he is taking immediate action to make sure it it does not happen again. He said giving out a key without seeing a proper ID is grounds for termination.
Tune in to KCRA 3 Wednesday to see the second part of this series. In that case, KCRA 3 was able to gain access to some rooms without a key.
KCRA3 Josh Bernsteins report on Hotel rooms
First of two parts
Serious security lapses exist at several of the busiest hotels in Sacramento, a KCRA 3 hidden-camera investigation has found.
KCRA 3 discovered over the course of two months how easy it is for someone else to gain access to your room, your personal belongings and more.
More than two dozen hotels were visted in Sacramento, and with the permission of guests that were staying at the hotels KCRA 3 tried to obtain room keys without providing any identification.
Randomly selected hotels include the downtown Hyatt, Sheraton Grand, Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, Clarion and several others in the surrounding area.
Working undercover, KCRA 3 approached the clerks at the front desk of each hotel. We told each clerk we had locked ourselves out and needed an extra key.
When asked for a photo identification, we told the clerks we had no ID and that we had left our wallet in the room.
At Embassy Suites, a clerk named James said that without a picture ID, he would have to escort us to the room. Upon arrival, a photo ID would be required. The name on the ID had to be the same as that that is registered to the room. He said if it is not the same, entry will be denied.
A clerk at the Sheraton Grand called in the head of security.
Out of 10 hotels, only one of them failed.
At the Clarion Hotel at the corner of 16th and H streets, it took less than two minutes to obtain a key to someone else's room. The clerk did ask for a photo ID, but all KCRA 3 did was tell her we left it in our wallet in the room. Moments later, the clerk handed over the key wihout asking for any more information.
Two female teachers from Pheonix were staying in that room. They said Clarion officials should work harder on checking IDs.
Michael Palmer is the general manager at the Clarion. He said hotel security is hit top priority. He also said employees go through monthly training.
Part of that training focuses on security and reminding employees to never give someone a room key unless they provide proper identification.
He added that the Clarion employee never should have given out the key and said he is taking immediate action to make sure it it does not happen again. He said giving out a key without seeing a proper ID is grounds for termination.
Tune in to KCRA 3 Wednesday to see the second part of this series. In that case, KCRA 3 was able to gain access to some rooms without a key.
As the fraud turns 2
As the Fraud Turns
For some background, read Fraud Grove & Fraud Grove (continued).From KCRA (also video):
The California Association of Mortgage Brokers is condemning a local real estate scheme that has left several investors nearly broke and many Elk Grove homes in foreclosure.Jim Martin and his business partners Mario Fellini and Gabe Varimones are being accused of duping individual investors into buying more than 20 homes....Many industry insiders have been sounding off about Martin and his partners and are calling for a federal investigation. Mike McGee, past president of the California Association of Mortgage Brokers, said Martin and others deserve to be prosecuted.Since KCRA 3's investigation, Martin and his partners have switched business names. They are now operating at Esnian Mortgage and Realty Network [cached; site now defunct]. Online, they have been working to attract investors in Miami, Colorado Springs, Colo., and other places. [Most of the Craigslist ads have been deleted by the author or flagged.]The firm's MySpace.com page [cached; site now defunct] lists Martin as the boss.KCRA 3 attempted to reach Martin for comment, but he did not return calls....Investor Walter Bakos, who earlier did business with Martin, said he fears that Martin and his partners are seeking to profit off a fresh group of unknowing investors. He urges investors to be careful before getting involved with Martin.
For some background, read Fraud Grove & Fraud Grove (continued).From KCRA (also video):
The California Association of Mortgage Brokers is condemning a local real estate scheme that has left several investors nearly broke and many Elk Grove homes in foreclosure.Jim Martin and his business partners Mario Fellini and Gabe Varimones are being accused of duping individual investors into buying more than 20 homes....Many industry insiders have been sounding off about Martin and his partners and are calling for a federal investigation. Mike McGee, past president of the California Association of Mortgage Brokers, said Martin and others deserve to be prosecuted.Since KCRA 3's investigation, Martin and his partners have switched business names. They are now operating at Esnian Mortgage and Realty Network [cached; site now defunct]. Online, they have been working to attract investors in Miami, Colorado Springs, Colo., and other places. [Most of the Craigslist ads have been deleted by the author or flagged.]The firm's MySpace.com page [cached; site now defunct] lists Martin as the boss.KCRA 3 attempted to reach Martin for comment, but he did not return calls....Investor Walter Bakos, who earlier did business with Martin, said he fears that Martin and his partners are seeking to profit off a fresh group of unknowing investors. He urges investors to be careful before getting involved with Martin.
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