Latest news with #Caruthers
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fresno County rural areas to gain better internet access. Here's how
Internet access can be a challenge for underserved rural communities like Caruthers or Riverdale in Fresno County. That challenge became apparent during the pandemic when school districts in rural areas throughout the San Joaquin Valley had to provide education to their students virtually. Orin Hirschkorn, superintendent of Caruthers Unified School District, said the district learned during the pandemic that the community of about 2,500 people, located 15 miles south of downtown Fresno, faced all sorts of barriers. 'Number one was actually access. So that created several issues,' Hirschkorn said. Not only did the school district had to provide the education and instruction to the students, but students had to have a device to access the internet. 'And we were lacking in all of those areas,' Hirschkorn said. But, thanks to a partnership between Comcast, the state and Fresno County, reliable internet access is now available to Caruthers students and their families, decreasing the digital divide — the gap between those with access to digital devices and services to those without it — many rural areas have. 'Whenever we come into a community like Caruthers, it's important for us to not only bring high quality service, but to bring something that leaves a lasting impact,' said Nathan Ahle, government affairs director for Comcast California. Broadband access in rural areas is important for online learning, telehealth appointments, banking services, job and employment opportunities, Ahle said. Caruthers eighth grader Mia Perez Galindo was one of the 88 students in Caruthers Unified who received a brand-new laptop from Comcast earlier this month. Hirschkorn said Comcast's donation of laptops to students helps the district get over another obstacle — having devices to access the internet. This month, the partnership between the county and Comcast kicked off a new rural broadband expansion project expected to be completed by 2026. It would bring a reliable, high-speed broadband network to underserved households in the rural community of Riverdale, about 10 miles south of Caruthers. The expansion is made possible by a $1 million Federal Funding Account (FFA) grant from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and private funding by Comcast. The state established the $2 billion 'Last Mile' broadband program in 2021, after the pandemic exposed digital divide disparities in low income rural communities. 'They're making sure this last mile got done so people actually have good internet at home, not just at school,' said Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes, who represents the communities of Riverdale and Caruthers. 'The pandemic really exposed the fact that rural students had no access to internet,' Mendes said. 'We had to literally leave the lights on in the libraries, so they could park in the parking lot and use the internet.' Mendes said extending service to Riverdale will boost economic growth, support and attract new business and enhance residents quality of life.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Dickson County woman loses thousands to PayPal scam, deputies say
DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Dickson County Sheriff's Office is warning residents after an elderly woman lost approximately $40,000 to a scam. Investigators said the the woman received emails from what she believed to be PayPal on April 24 and 25, indicating a payment discrepancy. According to the sheriff's office, the woman called the number on the email, which was then redirected to a location in India. Report: Tennesseans lost millions in cryptocurrency scams last year, per FBI Officials shared some of the conversation between the victim and scammer during another phone call. 'We have to take it back from you, that's what I'm telling you. Your bank and our bank is connected. Our payment is going to your account,' said the man on the other end of the call. The man was reportedly able to look into the woman's financial data after she was convinced to download an app. Detectives said the scammers were then able to move money from one of her accounts to another one of her accounts. After telling the woman that PayPal accidentally sent her bank account an excess amount of money, the scammers demanded that she take $40,000 out of her account to pay it back. 'They had her download an app on her mobile device, AnyDesk is the app they had her download, and with that app they gain remote access to your phone and anything on your phone, which in this case was her banking info,' said DCSO Captain Jennifer Caruthers. Retired IRS agent imprisoned for bilking elderly woman of life savings The victim reportedly withdrew the money from her bank and sent it to the scammers via a Crypto machine at a local market. Officials said the scammers called the woman the following day for more money. However, this time deputies were listening in on the conversation. 'I already sent you the money; I'm not following,' said the victim on the call. 'Yes, I know that you have sent the money. You got a confirmation too,' replied the person on the other end of the call. 'They continued calling because when they had access to her bank account through that mobile app, they realized there were more funds available,' explained Caruthers. The sheriff's office said they set up a sting operation after the victim refused to send more money, which led to the arrest of Roshandice McCullough of Texas. According to investigators, McCullough was sent by the scammers as a courier to meet the victim at her bank. 'It's an active investigation, hoping it will lead to someone above her and someone above them,' said Caruthers. 'There will be other countries involved; there will be other states involved.' McCollough has yet to speak with investigators. However, authorities told News 2 that she was arrested in Killeen, Texas for similar charges, adding that Texas officials want to prosecute her as soon as her court case is done in Dickson County. The Dickson County woman has not recovered her $40,000, according to deputies. 'Do not pay anyone over a phone, don't go to a Bitcoin machine and make a large transaction like this, 9 times out of 10 it is a fraudulent charge,' warned Caruthers. McCollough was booked in Dickson County Jail and charged with theft over $10,000. Experts say to avoid falling victim to a scam, always log into your PayPal account directly through the website and do not click on links or numbers, which can be fake. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
24-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Budding small business owners stuck in limbo amid cannabis license delays
Minnesota legalized recreational marijuana in 2023, and estimates then said that recreational marijuana would be legal by March of this year. Eric Taubel, Interim Director at the Office of Cannabis Management, said licenses will be issued in the coming weeks, thanks to recently released rules. To the dismay of small business owners, retail shop licensing continues to be delayed. Andrew Caruthers, the owner of Twin Cities High in Golden Valley, opened his shop in 2023, selling CBD and THC products. In preparation to sell marijuana, he has spent $50,000 to get ready, but now it's the waiting game to start selling. "I initially was thinking possibly six months, you know, I thought summer of last year we would be open almost for sure" said Caruthers. When he gets a license, he worries about product shortages and high costs. All marijuana sold legally in the state must be grown in Minnesota. The Office of Cannabis Management estimates 1.5 million square feet of growing area is needed. Minnesota only has 69,000 square feet available. "I am anticipating a slow rollout. Maybe we will have product for a few days, and then sell out, and we may not get more for a couple of weeks." said Caruthers, "It's like that everywhere it's become legal, the prices definitely start out."
