Latest news with #BlackSeries
Metro
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Celebrate Star Wars Day with an authentic Scout Trooper helmet
Mind out for trees and angry teddy bears (Hasbro) Today is international Star Wars Day and Hasbro has a variety of new merch to celebrate the fact, include high-end cosplay gear and action figures. Most franchises get their own 'day' now, usually based around some sort of pun or in-joke. Mario Day is on 10th March (MAR 10), Alien Day is on 26th April (from the planet LV-426), and Star Wars is on 4th May, because May the 4th be with you. Until recently, May was also traditionally the month new Star Wars movies were released and this year's big new item from Hasbro is a scout trooper helmet, from their high-end Black Series line of action figures and accessories. Scout troopers, also known as biker scouts, were first introduced in 1983's Return of the Jedi, where they were shown riding speeder bikes and getting beaten up by Ewoks. They've featured in plenty of other shows, video games, and other media since then… in part because they have a really cool looking helmet. As well as looking the part, including the ability to fold the front face of the helmet up, the helmet also has a voice distorter built-in, so that if you talk with it on you'll get that sort of crackly, electronic effect that they have in the movies. It looks great and at £104.99 from Hasbro Pulse it's not actually as outrageously expensive as you might expect, especially given it makes a good display item, even if you don't want to wear it about town all that often. The original helmet was designed by Nilo Rodis-Jamero, who worked on many of the most iconic Star Wars costumes, and rather than being an in-universe detail the grey design on the bottom left-hand corner of the visor is actually a stylised version of his initials. The Star Wars Visions episode was black and white, so the toys are too (Hasbro) There's already a lot more helmets in the Black Series, for roughly the same price, including Darth Vader (obviously), a Death Trooper (from Rogue One), and several taken from The Mandalorian TV show – such as Mando himself, The Armorer, Bo-Katan, Axe Woves, and a Death Watch member. Also part of the range is a variety of lightsabers, that cost upwards of £250, and a huge selection of action figures. The Ronin & R5-D56 is a new one, based on the first season of the Star Wars Vision series on Disney+, while another good double pack, that's currently on pre-order for the Vintage Collection, is the Bantha & Tusken Raider. Other new ones include everything from Han Solo and Chewbacca, from the first Star Wars movie, to pre-orders for figures inspired by the brand new season 2 of Andor. There's also a bunch of figures based on the Star Wars Jedi: Survivor video game and, as a more nostalgic video game choice, Dash Rendar from Shadows Of The Empire. In the original film, the banthas were elephants wearing costumes (Hasbro) Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. Arrow MORE: The eight best sci-fi series of all-time according to Rotten Tomatoes Arrow MORE: The greatest Star Wars game ever created could never be made today
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Residents of small California city were furious after fleet of about 70 RVs was illegally parked near homes
The unsuspecting residents of Wildomar watched in horror as battered luxury RVs, some covered in graffiti, began to show up. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) From January to April, roughly 70 moved into a storage lot in the small city with a rural feel in Riverside County, California. Many in the quiet community were furious. "It's heartbreaking to see our quiet little rural town turn into a dumping ground," said Debbi Renfrow, Wildomar resident, to CBS News Los Angeles. The fleet has since been towed away. The city took out a warrant since the owner of the RVs did not have a permit to store them there, reported ABC7. City officials said the vehicles violated local zoning regulations and fire codes, according to LA Post. "I have not slept properly in months, and it was like Christmas arrived this morning. My husband and I literally opened the curtains to see code enforcement here, and we were like, 'It's like Santa's arrived,'" said Wildomar resident Jessica Hume to ABC7. Hume had complained about the smell of human feces coming from the parked vehicles in an interview with KCAL News. The owner of the RVs, Jack Hong Wei Qiu, told ABC7 he moved some of them to a property in San Bernardino County over the weekend, and he's waiting to see what the cost will be to recover the ones the city towed. Qiu isn't a stranger to complaints. In fact, the Black Series trailers were also recently removed from the city of Industry by authorities after they attracted squatters. Several of the vehicles even caught fire at one point. According to NBC4, several homeless people living in the vehicles in Industry claimed they paid rent to Qiu, which he denied. The saga of these Black Series RVs doesn't start in Wildomar. Instead, they first popped onto the public's radar back in 2024. At that point, they were parked in the city of Industry, where they attracted squatters. The squatters reportedly wreaked havoc on the RVs and the surrounding neighborhood. Wildomar residents didn't want their neighborhood to experience the same issues. 'I don't want to see this turn into the city of Industry. I don't want to see people in there and I don't particularly want a fire, that's the biggest scare because we are very dry out here,' Lynne Mayes, a Wildomar resident for over 40 years, said in an interview with NBC4. 'We have one fire truck here, this is a small town.' Mayes continued, 'Just because we are wide open and rural, it's not a welcome sign.' Read more: This hedge fund legend warns US stock market will crash a stunning 80% — claims 'Armageddon' is coming. Don't believe him? He earned 4,144% during COVID. Here's 3 ways to protect yourself Although the residents of Wildomar didn't witness squatters moving into the vacant RVs, the threat of a city of Industry situation repeating itself is unnerving. When RV encampments show up in any neighborhood, the homeowners face indirect financial consequences. First off, an ongoing presence of RV squatters in a neighborhood will likely pull property values down. After all, potential homebuyers likely don't want to purchase a house near a volatile situation like a homeless encampment. Beyond falling property values, homeowners may feel the need to spend more money on security. For example, they might opt to install an alarm system or build a sturdy fence to protect their property. Additionally, homeless encampments may also lead to increased insurance premiums. After all, insurance companies price policies based on risk. Insurers might raise premiums for nearby homeowners if there is a higher risk of fire or crime in a particular area due to an encampment. Los Angeles property owners were dropped by insurance companies or saw their rates skyrocket for this reason, according to a 2019 report from NBC4. For many homeowners, an RV squatting community showing up on their doorstep could lead to serious financial consequences. Although it's difficult for individuals to protect their property from this risk, actively involving your local government could protect your entire community. If the local government has the right rules on the books and makes the effort to enforce those rules, squatters in RVs won't be allowed to wreak havoc on your neighborhood's property values. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Empty RV trailers that attracted squatters in L.A. County now showing up in Riverside County
Several dozen empty trailers that drew squatters and sparked a legal battle in Los Angeles County are now creating a major headache for neighbors and officials in Riverside County. The roughly 70 trailers being stored in a vacant lot in the city of Wildomar were removed earlier this year from another empty vacant lot in the City of Industry while Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies supervised the eviction. The trailers attracted squatters who converted the lot into a makeshift homeless encampment. While the Black Series trailers are no longer a problem for City of Industry and Los Angeles County authorities, Wildomar officials say the trailers are now a nuisance for them. Wildomar authorities say the owner of the trailers did not obtain the necessary city approvals to place them on an empty lot that sits near several homes. The city of Wildomar is in the process of obtaining a warrant to remove the trailers after trying to work with the owner, Wildomar Mayor Ashlee DePhillippo said in a statement. The trailers violate the city's zoning and fire code, she said, adding that the matter is an ongoing code enforcement case. Read more: 'I'm going to resist': Protesters who seized state-owned homes five years ago prepare for eviction battle Wildomar officials notified the trailer owner Tuesday that the trailers must be moved within 48 hours or the city would do it and charge the owner for the costs. DePhillippo said while the city put the trailer's owner on notice and is seeking a warrant, the trailers may not be removed before the end of the week. "I want to be clear, the issuance of the warrant may not line up with a 48-hour notice, and we must wait for the proper warrant to be in place before we can enter the property," she said. On Tuesday, two letters were posted on a chain link fence surrounding the trailers in the 20700 block of Palomar Street, according to neighbors. The letters were addressed to Hongwei Qiu and Zihan Feng, according to copies of the letters shared online. Qiu, who owns Upland-based Black Series RVs, did not respond to requests for comment about the trailers after the city issued its order for removal. The trailers parked in disrepair on the Wildomar property are listed on the Black Series website from $44,000 to $50,000 each. In an interview with CBS News, Qiu apologized to residents and the city. He said that he wasn't aware that the trailers were violating the city's code and understands residents are worried that the empty trailers might attract squatters. "We are sorry ... for the feeling, because they read the news. Of course they are concerned that the same safety issue may happen to their neighborhood," he said. Read more: L.A. County's first safe parking for homeless people living in RVs opens in Crenshaw Wildomar resident Jessica Hume began to notice the Black Series trailers being brought to the property at the end of 2024. The trailers from the City of Industry may have begun arriving to Wildomar near the start of 2025. Hume confronted a man who was dropping off a trailer. She said he handed her his phone and Qiu tried to explain that he was not aware of the city's zoning codes. His recent apology to the community feels hollow, she said. "He apologized and then brought in more trailers," she said. "That's manipulation." On Thursday, Hume watched as a person attempted to rip down a chain link fence and try to access the trailers. She told them not to do that because it would be illegal. "I'm a little Irish woman and I feel like I'm out there policing the property," Hume said. Wildomar Code Enforcement Manager Raul Berroteran updated the city council on April 9 that the property owner where the trailers are located is attempting to evict Qiu. Just two days before the meeting, Berroteran said he witnessed a Black Series employee park another trailer on the property. He notified a company representative about the zoning violations and the company then followed up to ask for an extension on the timeline to remove the trailers. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Graffiti-tagged trailers cause headaches in another Southern California city
Wildomar officials are trying to clear out dozens of unkempt Black Series trailers, some with missing windows and flat tires, that have apparently relocated there after being removed from the City of Industry in March. Video recorded on Thursday showed the trailers crammed into a lot near homes and businesses on the 20700 block of Palmar Street. Area residents are concerned about the trash piling up and the dangers of fires erupting from the encampment. 'Our biggest concern is we're coming into fire season and these trailers are known for being a fire hazard,' Wildomar resident Jessica Hume said. Wildomar city officials say they have taken action, issuing a final abatement notice Tuesday afternoon to two individuals, including one tied to the RV Manufacturer Black Series and another believed to be connected to the property owner. According to the notice, the trailers 'constitute a public nuisance and pose an imminent hazard to public health and safety' and must be removed by 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Wildomar Mayor Ashlee DePhillippo says the clearing could be delayed as the city is still waiting for a proper warrant to be in place before entering the property. The trouble follows the massive encampment removal that took place in the City of Industry about a month ago. More than 80 Black Series trailers there had turned the property into an unauthorized RV camp. Concerns reached a peak when unhoused individuals moved into the trailers and started repeated fires. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
15-04-2025
- CBS News
Wildomar residents outraged as RVs from LA County homeless encampment arrive in their neighborhood
Residents of one Wildomar neighborhood are outraged after dozens of RVs that once made up a homeless encampment in Los Angeles County suddenly arrived near their homes. The trailers' new location is about 60 miles away from the City of Industry, where they previously became a hot button topic after it was found that about 50 squatters had taken up residence inside of the trailers on a storage lot. Debbi Renfrow says that she's watched as the beat-up RVs arrived outside of her home, covered in graffiti and full of trash since January. "It's heartbreaking to see our quiet little rural town turn into a dumping ground," she said. "Very quickly, that number multiplied exponentially to now what I think is around 50 or 60 of the Black Series trailers." The change came after the property of the storage lot where the trailers were previous located took legal action against their owner. He then began to move them to the lot in Wildomar, inciting the rage of many living nearby. Related: LA County deputies clear RV storage lot taken over by squatters Upset neighbors say that on top of the crime risk and the potential danger the trailers pose with fire season approaching, there are other factors that make them believe their health could also be at risk. "The smell of human feces around the side is very concerning," said Jessica Hume. Wildomar city leaders say that they're actively investigating the situation. The owner of the property says that they entered into a new lease agreement at the beginning of the year, but the owner of the RVs, Jack Hongwei Qiu, has violated both the lease and the zoning regulations by transporting the trailers there. He's working to fix it. "We didn't know that if it's violating any code, I think the city now they don't want any safety issues in city of Wildomar," Qiu said. He said that he's currently looking for another place to store the trailers, but the change won't be possible overnight. He wants to apologize for the series of issues and is hoping to find a secure location for storage. "We are sorry ... for the feeling, because they read the news. Of course they are concerned that the same safety issue may happent o their neighborhood," Qiu said. Some neighbors aren't so quick to accept the apology, saying that someone has already removed the code violations that were left outside of the property. They don't want another city to fall victim to what happened in Industry or what could happen outside of their doors. "He's moving from city to city and leaving a trail of destruction behind him," said Hume. They also believe that the owner is intentionally removing tires from the trailers so they can't be easily towed, but Qiu says that the squatters stole the tires off the trailers, which are expensive to replace.
