East Bay Couple's Terrifying Encounter with Tow Truck in Downtown San Francisco

 

An East Bay couple is speaking out about their harrowing experience when a tow truck attempted to tow them while driving through downtown San Francisco on April 9.

"We were at a stoplight and minding our own business," explained Joanne, who requested to be identified by her first name only. She described running errands with her husband that morning.

While the couple was stopped along Bush and Montgomery streets, they noticed a yellow Specialty Towing truck approaching. Initially, they thought the truck was maneuvering near a nearby Waymo autonomous vehicle. However, the situation quickly turned alarming.

"He came from the side. I thought he was turning right. He started in reverse and all the lights came on. That's when we were like, hey something's really wrong. His lever was coming down," Joanne recounted.

Video footage captured by a witness shows the tow truck making several attempts to hook onto the couple's 2017 Toyota Corolla.

A witness can be heard on video screaming "What the f**k are you doing!"

When the traffic light turned green, the Waymo vehicle next to Joanne and her husband drove off. However, the couple found themselves trapped in front of a black sedan.

"We were freaking out. The first instinct was to get away," said Joanne.

Fortunately, the black car reversed, allowing Joanne's husband to drive away. The tow truck then gave chase, pursuing them for several blocks.

"It's definitely really scary," Joanne reflected, contemplating what could have happened if the tow truck had successfully hooked onto their car.

ABC7 attempted to contact Specialty Towing via email and phone but did not receive a response.

The company, along with two others, was charged by City Attorney David Chiu in February for fraud and illegally towing parked cars. Chiu's office described Specialty Towing as "unscrupulous" in their online news release. As a result, Specialty Towing is now prohibited from bidding or receiving city contracts.

Joanne and her husband managed to lose the tow truck and safely returned home to the East Bay. They maintain they did nothing wrong and are still puzzled as to why they were targeted.

"Full disclaimer, I definitely paid off my car, I paid my registration," Joanne emphasized.

Joanne plans to file a police report soon and is sharing their story to raise awareness for other drivers.

"Be more careful when they're driving around and making sure if something doesn't look right, make sure you do your best to protect yourself," she advised.

Heroic Rescue: Man Saves 6-Year-Old Boy Stranded in River

 

A fishing trip on the St. Louis River in Duluth turned into a dramatic rescue mission for David Jones, whose quick thinking and bravery saved the life of a stranded 6-year-old boy. The entire heart-wrenching ordeal was captured on Jones's GoPro video, shedding light on the terrifying situation the child found himself in.

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On July 5, Jones was fishing when he spotted the young boy, who was alone in the middle of the river, panicking and terrified despite wearing a life jacket.

"It was the sound of a child that was screaming who was in complete panic, complete fear, and just something that was almost indescribable or something that you would honestly hear from a horror movie," Jones recounted.

Jones, a former police officer, relied on his law enforcement training to spring into action, potentially saving the child's life.

"Are you gonna be able to make it into shore? Do you need some help?" Jones asked the frightened boy in the video.

Utilizing his background as a behavioral health technician, Jones kept the child calm and helped him grasp onto his kayak, safely guiding him to shore.

"You're strong, right? OK. All right. So I just need to be strong for a few more seconds," Jones reassured the boy during the rescue.

Once they reached shore, Jones sought assistance from a nearby resident, asking for a towel while they called 911 and waited for paramedics to arrive.

Though hailed as a hero by many online, Jones remains humble, stating, "You got a kid that's bobbing up and down in the middle of the water on the St. Louis river. It's 57 degrees outside, so I'm not sure what the water temperatures were."

According to Duluth police, the boy's parent informed officers that he lost hold of a rope attached to the boat, and the wind and currents prevented him from swimming to safety.

Jones, deeply concerned for the child's well-being as he showed signs of hypothermia, posted the video on social media to raise awareness about water safety.

Reflecting on the incident, Jones emphasized the danger posed by the river's undercurrents, recalling a tragic incident last year where a father drowned while attempting to save his daughter and another child.

"The current was going one way and the undercurrent was going another way, and there's a lot of individuals who aren't aware of how strong these undercurrents can't be because they're not visible from the surface," Jones explained.

Despite the challenging conditions, the young boy held on, displaying incredible resilience throughout the ordeal.

"I still hope and pray that the kid is OK every single day, and I hope that he can recover from this incident and be fine and also hope that he never is put in this position again by another adult," Jones said.

Duluth police confirmed to FOX 9 that no charges would be filed in connection with the incident.

Larry David finds out his great grandfather was a slave owner

Larry David's discovery about his great-grandfather's history as a slave owner was revealed during an episode of the PBS show "Finding Your Roots." The show, hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., explores the genealogical backgrounds of various celebrities.

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In the episode featuring Larry David, Gates uncovered documents revealing that David's great-grandfather, Lawrence Bernie, owned slaves. This revelation came as a shock to David, who expressed deep discomfort and disbelief upon learning about his ancestor's dark past.

David's reaction to the news was raw and emotional, as he grappled with the implications of his family's history. The revelation prompted him to reflect on the broader issues of race, privilege, and identity, as well as his own Jewish heritage.

The episode sparked discussions about the complexities of genealogy and the ways in which individuals are connected to their ancestors' actions, both good and bad. David's reaction to the news provided a poignant moment of introspection and raised important questions about reckoning with the past.

"The Eclipse Blinded Me and I Can't See Titties Anymore" - Randy Wrangler (Official Audio)

 "The Eclipse Blinded Me and I Can't See Titties Anymore" - Randy Wrangler

Saddle up, y'all! Randy Wrangler's latest track is here, and it's a wild ride through the dusty trails of love and loss. "The Eclipse Blinded Me and I Can't See Titties Anymore" is a heartfelt ballad that'll have you tapping your boots and cryin' in no time. 

Listen now and let Randy Wrangler serenade you with his twangy vocals and clever lyrics. Share with your fellow cowpokes and spread the love (and laughs) far and wide!

🎸 Connect with Randy Wrangler:

Instagram: @RandyWranglerOfficial

Twitter: @WranglerRandy

Facebook: Randy Wrangler Music

Four quarters an hour (quick math)

 

This viral interview features a man who incorrectly calculates the number of quarters in an hour, saying "Four quarters an hour" during a quick interview.

The man, who appears to be in a rush, is asked a question about the local economy. In his haste, he responds with what he thinks is a quick and correct answer, "Four quarters an hour," implying that there are four quarters in an hour. However, the correct answer is, of course, that there are four quarters in a dollar, not in an hour.

The clip went viral because of the man's confident but hilariously incorrect response, leading to many internet users sharing and remixing the video, often with humorous commentary or as a meme.

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Winnipeg business owner says overflowing bin that led to overcharge staged by garbage company

A Winnipeg business owner is furious after receiving an exorbitant bill from a private garbage collection company for an alleged overfilled bin. Brad Wallin, president of Wallin Industries, a local metal fabrication business, revealed to 680 CJOB’s 'The Start' that his recent garbage pickup bill from Waste Management of Canada Corporation was six times higher than usual.

According to Wallin, the company levied an additional overage charge, claiming the bin was overflowing. However, Wallin asserted that the situation was manipulated by the Waste Management employee, and he claims to have video evidence supporting his allegation. Global News obtained the security footage, which, according to Wallin, shows the Waste Management driver artificially altering the appearance of the bin to create the impression that it was overfilled.

“It shows the driver pulling up, he gets out of the truck, he unlocks the bin, he reaches into the dumpster, starts pulling out a little bit of cardboard, hangs it over the edges,” Wallin explained.

Despite Wallin's complaints to the company, he said he was given the runaround until finally hearing from an executive at Waste Management’s Toronto headquarters. “In my eyes, it’s just not acceptable," Wallin concluded.

Conan O'Brien Needs a Doctor While Eating Spicy Wings

Conan O'Brien, an Emmy Award-winning talk-show host, entertained audiences for nearly three decades with his late-night show. You can catch him these days on "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend" podcast. He's also embarked on a brand-new travel show called "Conan O'Brien Must Go," where he visits Conan fans worldwide. Premiering on Max on April 18th, this show promises to be an exciting adventure. But can Conan handle spicy food? Find out as he joins Hot Ones for what promises to be one of the most high-octane episodes ever. In this season finale, Conan discusses his antics at 30 Rock, his legacy in late night, the funniest US presidents, Don Quixote, and much more!

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