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Here’s how I judged — and survived — the Denver Burger Battle

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:37 GMT

I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to look at a burger again after biting into 20 different patties at this year’s Denver Burger Battle, which took place on Aug. 3.Judging the beefy brawl at Tivoli Quad felt like a real-life “Man Vs. Food” moment as I joined seven other foodies at the table. Runners brought us unlabeled quarter slices of four burgers every 20 minutes and we ranked them on a scale of 1 to 10; a 1 meant that “the Hamburgler had the opportunity to steal this burger, he’d decline and go to the KFC across the street,” according to the rules laid out for us, while a 10 meant “I would sell my house, my spouse, and my children just to taste this delicious masterpiece again.”It was a lot of food. But luckily, the judges who had done this before warned me beforehand to pace myself and only take one small bite of each. That way, I wouldn’t explode, and each burger would get a fair shot. I also came prepared with some stretchy pants, and took a swig...

Smokey the Coors Field Cat “hit a home run,” finds new home

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:37 GMT

Smokey, the aging feline that called Coors Field home, has officially entered retirement and “chosen the position of lead-off catter in a nice Denver home,” the cat’s caretaker announced Friday.Smokey’s new adopter wants to remain incognito, although Animal Rescue of the Rockies, which brokered Smokey’s adoption, said the request for privacy showed that Smokey wasn’t being adopted for the wrong reasons.Animal Rescue of the Rockies released the following statement Friday, purportedly dictated by Smokey himself: “I, Smokey the cat, would like to thank everyone for the well wishes… I feel like I’ve hit a home run. I would like to thank the Animal Rescue of the Rockies for placing me in a local home instead of trading me somewhere else, like to the St Louis Cardinals.”After news broke of the venerable ballpark mouser’s search for a more laidback, indoor home to live out his twilight years, Smokey received 16 adoption applicatio...

Squabble over ownership of Denver’s Aviano Coffee and lost real estate deal leads to dual lawsuits

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:37 GMT

A legal squabble over the ownership of Denver’s Aviano Coffee and a lost real estate opportunity worth millions of dollars has its founder and investors pointing fingers at each other.The lawsuit filed on July 28 by the investors alleges that Douglas Naiman, who founded Aviano Coffee Cherry Creek North alongside his wife Saadia in 2010, spearheaded an “unlawful scheme to improperly seize control” of the business that he now holds a minority interest in.The plaintiffs are seeking damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and an injunction requiring Naiman to relinquish control of his intellectual property to them.Five months ago, Naiman filed a lawsuit of his own against one of the investors, Matt Joblon, CEO of BMC Investments. His complaint primarily focuses on alleged interference by Joblon in Naiman’s acquisition of property at 244 Detroit St. in Cherry Creek, resulting in at least $1.75 million in damages.He’s requesting an award of damages, pre- an...

United buys land near DIA for $33 million to expand its pilot training capacity

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:37 GMT

United Airlines put plans in the works this week to expand its ability to train pilots by purchasing land near Denver International Airport for $33 million.The two parcels of agricultural land, a total of 113 acres, are undeveloped. The parcel at 17671 E. 64th Ave. in Denver would be used for the expansion project. “This property gives us a lot of options,” said spokesperson Russell Carlton in a statement on Friday. “We’ve already begun work on plans to use part of this land as the site for the expansion of our world-class Denver pilot training facility and we’ll evaluate additional opportunities in the future as our United Next plan unfolds.”The expansion of the training capabilities is expected to create 240 jobs –  flight instructors, simulation technicians and engineers – with an average annual salary of $186,500, according to the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.“I...

Denver police open investigation into use of “seclusion room” at McAuliffe International School

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:37 GMT

The Denver Police Department has opened an investigation into the use of a “seclusion room” at McAuliffe International School, an agency spokesman confirmed Friday, a day after Board of Education members called on the department to look into the middle school’s use of a locked room as a potential disciplinary tool.On Thursday, three school members announced that Denver Public Schools was investigating the use of the room after receiving an email from a McAuliffe employee who alleged students of color had been locked inside the room multiple times during the last academic year. The directors — Auon’tai Anderson, Scott Esserman and Xóchitl “Sochi” Gaytán — called on state and local law enforcement agencies to also investigate the matter during a news conference. The Denver Police Department has received a report about the seclusion room and its investigation is ongoing, spokesman Jay Casillas told The Denver Post on Friday. He said he could provide no oth...

Imitation In-N-Out opens in Mexico

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:37 GMT

A new burger restaurant that recently opened in Mexico is making burger enthusiasts do a double-double take since it's drawing comparisons to U.S.-based In-N-Out restaurants.The Mexico-based restaurant, known as In-I-Nout, serves grilled topped burgers and fries, along with a special sauce, all served on a red tray, just like In-N-Out restaurants in the U.S. In-N-Out Burger employees barred from wearing masks A video of the restaurant made its rounds on TikTok in early July and has garnered about one million views and more than 53,000 likes.However, In-N-Out doesn’t seem too happy with the surprise pop-up restaurant telling KTLA that they are unable to comment "due to ongoing litigation," seemingly signaling that the restaurant will be taking legal action against the imitation restaurant. In-N-Out Burger opened in 1948 as a tiny stand at Francisquito and Garvey avenues in Baldwin Park. Harry and Esther Snyder, the company’s founders, are credited with inventing the world’s first d...

John Raleigh, Svetlana Raleigh Rescue Two after Plane Crashed into Lake Tahoe [Lake Tahoe, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:37 GMT

Plane Accident in Rubicon Bay Left Two InjuredLAKE TAHOE, CA (August 4, 2023) – Saturday morning, John Raleigh and Svetlana Raleigh pulled two men out of the water after their plane crashed into Lake Tahoe.The incident happened on July 1st, at around 10:15 a.m., in the southwestern part of Lake Tahoe.According to reports, the Raleighs saw a Piper PA-28 crash into the water in Rubicon Bay. They and other boaters rushed to the plane, which was nose down in the water, to aid in rescue efforts. They were able to get the two male occupants of the plane into their boat and get them onto the dock.After they reached land, emergency crews aided the victims. Paramedics transported them to a local hospital for treatment.It was reported that at least one of the men suffered a serious head injury.No amount of training can prepare a pilot for all situations they may face while in the air. So, it is important to be prepared before flying a plane. Always do a preflight inspection to make sure...

Road Closed Following Two-Vehicle Accident on Sandia Crest [Bernalillo County, NM]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:37 GMT

Two-Vehicle Crash near Mile Marker 6 Caused Traffic DelaysBERNALILLO COUNTY, NM (August 4, 2023) – Sunday afternoon, roadways were shut down after a two-vehicle accident on Sandia Crest.The incident happened July 30th, along the Sandia Crest Road, near mile marker 6, according to authorities.Per reports, a vehicle collided with a motorcycle, blocking traffic in both directions.No update has been given on the status of the driver or motorcyclist at this time.Consequently, authorities shut down the roadway to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties but has since been reopened.Bernalillo County authorities are currently investigating the two-vehicle crash and will release updates once made available.When driving, it is important to always be alert for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vehicles. Avoid distractions and keep your eye on the road. Additionally, drive within the posted speed limit set and enforced to reduce accidents. Always be cautious of the road ahead to ensure t...

Federal grand jury indicts suspected East Bay convenience store robbery crew

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:37 GMT

OAKLAND — A federal grand jury has indicted three alleged members of a Bay Area robbery crew that targeted convenience stores for cigarette cartons, court records show.Lorenzo Sarmiento, 20, Ray’Mon Simon, 22, and Devaughn Sarmiento, 24, all of Oakland, were charged Wednesday with conspiracy and seven counts of robbery, each related to a separate incident of a robbery that targeted a Rite Aid, Quik Stop, 7-Eleven, or ARCO in San Leandro. The indictment notes, though, that the crew was suspected of at least 25 robberies around the East Bay.The three defendants are still facing corresponding state charges. Their two co-defendants in the Alameda County case, Patricia Sarmiento and Arial Telez, were not included in the federal indictment.Authorities say that the group drove around the East Bay committing robberies with a similar modus operandi; One person would brandish a firearm — or replica gun — at a clerk, while at least two others would empty cigarette cartons from the ...

College Board: No AP Psychology course for Florida students

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:37 GMT

By Annie Ma and Adriana Gomez Licon | Associated PressMIAMI — The first time the College Board bumped up against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s efforts to inject conservative ideals into education standards, it ultimately revamped the Advanced Placement course for African American studies, watering down curriculum on slavery reparations and the Black Lives Matter movement – and a nationwide backlash ensued.Now, faced with altering its AP Psychology course to comply with Florida’s limits on teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity, the nonprofit College Board is pushing back. It advised the state’s school districts Thursday to not offer the college-level course to Florida’s high school students unless it can be taught in full.The announcement sent shock waves across the state as students in many school districts prepare to return to school in less than a week. But because the College Board is standing by its decades-old psychology curriculum, school ...