Latest news with #MontereyCounty
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Plane with three aboard crashes offshore near Monterey County lighthouse
Two people were found unresponsive and rescue crews were looking for a third person after a small plane crashed off the coast of Monterey County on Saturday night, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Monterey County officials alerted the Coast Guard's Monterey station at 10:55 p.m. Saturday that a twin-engine Beechcraft with three people aboard had crashed about 200 to 300 yards offshore, near the historic Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove, the Coast Guard said in a news release Sunday. The plane took off from the San Carlos airport at 10:11 p.m. and was last seen at 10:37 p.m. near Monterey, according to flight tracking data from Flight Aware. The Coast Guard launched a 29-foot response boat that arrived on the scene shortly after 11 p.m. A Coast Guard helicopter and three California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection boat crews also assisted in the search, along with two Cal Fire drones. Multiple local law enforcement agencies also assisted in the response. The Beechcraft was located, according to the Coast Guard. The plane had been scheduled to leave for Gooding Municipal Airport in Idaho on Sunday morning — a two-hour, 48-minute flight — and to fly back to Monterey later in the day. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash. ABC7 News in San Francisco reported that airplane parts, including at least one wheel, had washed up on nearby Asilomar State Beach by Sunday morning. 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. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Search continues for Monterey County plane crash victim; 2 found unresponsive
The United States Coast Guard said three people were inside a plane that crashed in Monterey County Saturday evening. Crews found two people unresponsive, and a search for the third is ongoing, the Coast Guard said. Just before 11 p.m., the Coast Guard Station in Monterey was alerted to a twin-engine Beechcraft that had crashed between 200-300 yards off Point Pinos. The Coast Guard said three people were on board. A boat and helicopter crew responded to the scene and located the Beechcraft. Two people were found unresponsive and a third remains missing. According to the Coast Guard, the plane took off from the San Carlos airport. Pacific Grove Police said they received calls about the plane crash just after 10 p.m. and were told it crashed near the coastline of Asilomar State Beach. One Pacific Grove resident said they heard a plane circling his neighborhood and then a loud thump about 30 seconds later. Pacific Grove Police, the Monterey Fire Department, Monterey County Sheriff's Office and San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, Cal Fire and the Coast Guard were all at the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Plane with three aboard crashes offshore near Monterey County lighthouse
Two people were found unresponsive and rescue crews were looking for a third person after a small plane crashed off the coast of Monterey County on Saturday night, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Monterey County officials alerted the Coast Guard's Monterey station at 10:55 p.m. Saturday that a twin-engine Beechcraft with three people aboard had crashed about 200 to 300 yards offshore, near the historic Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove, the Coast Guard said in a news release Sunday. The plane took off from the San Carlos airport at 10:11 p.m. and was last seen at 10:37 p.m. near Monterey, according to flight tracking data from Flight Aware. The Coast Guard launched a 29-foot response boat that arrived on the scene shortly after 11 p.m. A Coast Guard helicopter and three California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection boat crews also assisted in the search, along with two Cal Fire drones. Multiple local law enforcement agencies also assisted in the response. The Beechcraft was located, according to the Coast Guard. The plane had been scheduled to leave for Gooding Municipal Airport in Idaho on Sunday morning — a two-hour, 48-minute flight — and to fly back to Monterey later in the day. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash. ABC7 News in San Francisco reported that airplane parts, including at least one wheel, had washed up on nearby Asilomar State Beach by Sunday morning. 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
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Julianne Hough Celebrates Brother Derek and His Wife Hayley Erbert's Pregnancy as She Notes What She Hopes to Be Called as an Aunt
Julianne Hough is preparing to step into her newest role: auntie. After Derek Hough and his wife Hayley Erbert shared their exciting baby news, the Footloose actress, 37, shared her congratulations to her brother and sister-in-law via her Instagram Stories. Julianne reshared the couple's announcement video, adding a sweet message in text over it. "Baby Hough is so wise to choose you two as parents 💕," she wrote. "Love Aunt JuJu." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Dancing with the Stars alum, 38, and his wife, 30, who tied the knot in August 2023 in Monterey County, California, announced their baby news with a sweet video on Instagram on Tuesday, July 22. In the heartwarming video, Derek walks over to his wife and the two embrace while overlooking a scenic view. As the two hug, Erbert flashes a strip of sonogram photos at the camera as the couple smiles and sways in the sunlight. "We can't believe the biggest thing to happen to us could be so small ♥️," the couple captioned their joint video post. The couple's big news comes after Derek opened up to E! News in September 2024 about how he and his wife were looking forward to expanding their family dance crew with a few little ones. "We definitely want to have a family eventually,' he told the outlet. 'We'll see what's in the cards, what's on the horizon. Little dancing children running around." is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! In February 2023, the professional dancer and his then-fiancée shared how their timeline for having kids moved up, following meeting fellow dancers Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson's baby boy. "There wasn't a rush on [thinking about kids] until we just met Val and Jenna Chmerkovskiy's baby, and that was when it was kinda like, 'Should we get on this now?" Erbert told Entertainment Tonight, when asked if she and Hough are considering family plans. "It was pretty special, and actually it was cool 'cause Val, he was like, 'Bro, for somebody who creates, this will be your ultimate creation,'" Derek said, recalling what his former fellow DWTS pro told him regarding fatherhood. Read the original article on People
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Reformed Carbon 4: Hydrogen Railroad Full Steam Ahead In California
The Railroad The Sierra Railroad Company (SRC), established in 1897, is one of California's oldest operating railroads, with a fleet of 42 locomotives. The company has a remarkable story of innovation in decarbonizing its fleet, as detailed in a previous Reformed Carbon series article. To recap: SRC began exploring alternative fuel sources in response to California's energy crisis in the early 2000s, when its leadership recognized that locomotives could serve not only as transportation assets but also as mobile generators—a concept they referred to as a 'powertrain.' To power these locomotives sustainably, SRC initially transitioned to biodiesel. Seeking further decarbonization, the company turned to hydrogen production using gasifier technology fueled by bio-derived and waste feedstocks. It acquired the licensing and constructed a plant at Fort Hunter Liggett in Monterey County, California. This facility produces hydrogen via high-temperature gasification, operating at 4,000°F. The FastOx process uses steam and oxygen to break down waste at the molecular level. To realize its vision, SRC converted a diesel locomotive—Sierra Northern Railway (SERA) 193—into a hydrogen fuel cell-powered unit at its West Sacramento yard. Together, these initiatives present a compelling, self-reliant business case for a localized, vertically integrated hydrogen railroad hub—from feedstock to fuel to fleet. SERA 193 hydrogen fuel-cell locomotive converted from its diesel version Locomotive modification: SERA 193 – First-Generation Hydrogen Locomotive The company's first-generation hydrogen locomotive, SERA 193, was developed by retrofitting a standard GE RP20BD freight locomotive. Originally powered by three Deutz V8 diesel engines with a combined output of approximately 1,500 horsepower, the unit was transformed into a modular, zero-emission platform. This conversion marked a significant step in Sierra Northern Railway's effort to modernize rail propulsion using hydrogen fuel cell technology. Rather than relying on an external contractor, the design and engineering of the locomotive were carried out in-house by Sierra Northern Railway, working closely with a network of technical partners and engineers. The SERA project was enabled by a $4M California Energy Commission award in 2021 propping the design, integration, and demonstration of a prototype hydrogen fuel cell switching locomotive. GTI Energy has been a key partner to Sierra Northern Railway on the locomotive projects, leveraging their extensive experience in demonstrating and de-risking transformative technologies. Since the project began, GTI Energy has supported SNR with know-how in hydrogen fueling, safety, industry connections, and more. The success of the collaboration speaks for itself – the first locomotive is running in revenue service in West Sacramento, and work on the next three locomotives is well underway. The retrofit process involved removing the original hood and prime mover—the large diesel engine and generator that traditionally power the locomotive—leaving behind a long, open deck and the existing operator cab. Importantly, the core structural and safety-critical components were retained, including the wheels (known as "trucks"), the deck, the cab, and the braking systems. These elements are heavily regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). By preserving them, the locomotive maintained its crashworthiness and regulatory compliance, avoiding the need for retesting of core safety systems. The FRA does not require reevaluation for changes related to the propulsion system, allowing innovation to proceed more efficiently. The cleared platform of the locomotive was outfitted with a series of modular components—including fuel cells, batteries, hydrogen storage tanks, and cooling systems—all designed for straightforward handling, installation, and integration. This modular approach allowed individual systems to be developed and tested independently with partners such as Ballard, who supplied the fuel cells. Once each component was completed, it was craned into place, secured, and connected on-site, streamlining assembly and ensuring system-level flexibility. The new propulsion system is centered around two 100 kW fuel cell modules provided by Ballard, giving the locomotive a total fuel cell output of 200 kW (about 268 horsepower). This is complemented by a 415 kWh battery pack that supports hybrid propulsion and energy buffering. The combined powerplant performance will have the peak power of about 1500 horsepower. Hydrogen is stored onboard in high-pressure Type IV composite tanks rated for 350 bar (approximately 5,000 psi), with a total hydrogen capacity of 207 kilograms. This modular approach enabled parallel development and simplified maintenance and upgrades. From the outset, the project was closely coordinated with the FRA and relevant safety agencies to address the unique requirements of hydrogen propulsion. The effort was supported by funding from the California Energy Commission and included extensive safety testing and compliance measures. The locomotive's weight prior to modification was approximately 260,000 pounds. After conversion, the total loaded weight dropped to around 240,000 pounds. The fuel cell locomotive has turned out to be 20,000 lbs or 8% lighter than its own diesel variant. To manage traction and optimize performance, the locomotive design includes the option to add ballast—either by embedding concrete in the floor or installing steel plates—to increase weight and improve wheel-rail contact. However, this has not been necessary to date, thanks to advanced wheel-slip control technology provided by RailPower. Their computer-controlled traction system enables precise management of wheel slip, allowing even lighter locomotives to effectively pull heavier loads. To strengthen its manufacturing capabilities with the future hydrogen locomotive conversions, SERA acquired RailPower earlier this year. Significant driver for the acquisition was its proven engineering expertise that directly supports the broader goal of manufacturing both hydrogen gasifiers and zero-emission locomotives in-house. Fueling the Locomotive The locomotive is expected to operate for approximately one to one and a half weeks per fill under typical duty cycles at the Port of West Sacramento. SERA's local operations run two to four days per week, with shifts lasting roughly eight hours. Under this usage, the hydrogen-powered locomotive is projected to displace around 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually. Hydrogen for SERA 193 locomotive is delivered by truck in compressed form, transported in high-pressure tube trailers from Fort Hunter Liggett, with a driving distance of approximately 250 miles to West Sacramento. Each delivery brings up to 200 kilograms of hydrogen to the West Sacramento fueling site. The hydrogen is stored onboard the locomotive at a working pressure of approximately 350 bar (5,000 psi), while the tube trailers arrive with hydrogen pressurized at 450–520 bar (6,500–7,500 psi) to enable efficient transfer. Refueling follows a cascade transfer model, where hydrogen flows from the higher-pressure trailer storage to the lower-pressure locomotive tanks without the need for mechanical compression. This setup ensures reliable, safe and simplified fueling. Deliveries are scheduled as needed, based on locomotive usage. Fuel cell locomotive modular design concept The Next Generation Looking ahead, SERA plans to develop and test three more next-generation locomotives with enhanced performance capabilities. A 2023 grant from the California State Transportation Authority, in collaboration with other agencies, has advanced the project with $19.5 million in funding. Each locomotive will be designed to deliver approximately 2,000 horsepower and will be equipped with four 120 kW fuel cells, for a total power output of 480 kW. Hydrogen storage capacity will increase to 400 kilograms per locomotive, and battery capacity will be expanded beyond the 415 kWh installed in the first-generation unit. These upgrades aim to improve operational range, power output, and system efficiency to meet the demands of future rail operations. Looking further ahead, SERA plans to convert up to 20 locomotives to run on hydrogen. In its June 2025 press release, Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP;) announced a new supply agreement with SERA for the delivery of 1.5 MW of fuel cell engines, expected later in 2025. Under the agreement, Ballard will provide 12 FCmove®-XD engines—four for each of three locomotives. These modules, specifically designed for heavy-duty applications, offer high reliability, durability, efficiency, and power density. I am excited and proud to see this technology in action. It enhances operational performance with lower-emission fuels and supports the growing hydrogen economy in California, advancing the state's goals. I look forward to seeing more of these locomotives on the tracksNetwork Expansion to Five Plants The Sierra Line—which runs through Tuolumne and Stanislaus counties—serves a key role in biomass logistics. In Tuolumne County, there is a centralized location where biomass and trash from five counties converges, arriving by both highway and rail. This site will likely serve as the consolidation point for the biomass needed to supply the gasification facilities, from which it will be transported by rail. From there SRC plans to build five 100 ton per day distributed gasifier-to-hydrogen plants and fuel up to 20 locomotives and other customers there. The corresponding hydrogen station in-house development is underway but has not been finalized to date. Through these innovations, the Sierra Railroad Company has demonstrated a comprehensive, closed-loop solution for converting waste into clean energy —paving the way for a more sustainable future in both railroad transportation and energy production.
