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California officials ticket the 'Bubble Pirate,’ an artist and Navy veteran, for 'fluid littering'

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California officials ticket the 'Bubble Pirate,’ an artist and Navy veteran, for 'fluid littering'

A Navy veteran in California has been entertaining the local community with his creative bubble performances for over 10 years.

But Sandy Snakenberg, known as the “Bubble Pirate,” was donning his pirate costume and performing his usual bubble show at La Jolla Cove in San Diego last week when he was issued a ticket by park officials, he told Fox News Digital. 

The ticket alleges that Snakenberg, 63, violated San Diego’s municipal code against littering due to the fluid from his bubbles.

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Snakenberg said in a phone interview that he asked the park ranger to note that the liquid was from bubbles, but the officer did not do so, he said.

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The ticket mandates that Snakenberg appear in court in October.

Sandy Snakenberg, shown above, was given a ticket last week for “liquid fluid littering” while performing in La Jolla, California. He must appear in court in October. (Barry Alman)

Snakenberg told Fox News Digital he is a disabled Navy veteran who has traveled all over the world for a variety of jobs in his life. 

He once owned a gym in Singapore, he said, to benefit individuals with special needs.

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Snakenberg said he has dyslexia. He makes his living from his bubble artistry and entertainment, he said. The van with all of his equipment and props doubles as his home. 

“I was becoming more involved with bubbles, more professionally, making my own juices, my own devices. I did a Ted talk while in Singapore,” he said. 

Snakenberg was ticketed and must appear in court this October.  (Sandy Snakenberg)

The Ted talk he delivered in 2016 is called “Lessons of the Bubbles.” It’s described online as a presentation of “his journey and lessons learned not just from the bubbles but from his observations of others when exposed or re-exposed to their magic.”

Said Snakenberg, “During that time, I suffered heart failure, [then] started to do a trip around the world doing bubbles modeled after my Ted talk.”

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The talk was based on a sociological experience with bubbles and their “connective” properties, he said.

“I was just enjoying blowing the simple bubbles that you blow and people walking by were enjoying them,” he told Fox 5 San Diego. “I got kind of hooked sharing the joy of it.”

Snakenberg has been performing with bubbles for more than 10 years. (Barry Alman)

That grew into what he practices today.

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“I practice what is known as bubbleology. It’s a real thing,” he said. 

Lately, said Snakenberg, vendors and artists in the community have been getting “herded” into designated four feet-by-eight feet areas by officials.

“They’re making everybody fight for these four by eight spaces, which are limited,” he said.

“They are not in locations the artists would have chosen for themselves. I choose my location for safety reasons, both environmental and public, because if my bubbles go flying off into the streets, so will the kids.”

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“If I thought I was in any way damaging the environment or hurting people, I wouldn’t be around very long,” Snakenberg told Fox News Digital.  (Sandy Snakenberg, Barry Alman)

A City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital via email, “The City of San Diego values the rights of community members to engage in expressive activity in City parks, including artistic expression. This does require those engaging in these activities to do so in accordance with other City codes and regulations, including those related to littering and disposal of waste.”

“Rangers issued the lowest level citation available.”

The spokesperson added, “In this instance, Park Rangers attempted to educate the individual numerous times that the residual substances from the bubbles are in violation of the City’s municipal code as it relates to littering (SDMC 63.0102(c)(8) Littering). The individual uses up to six gallons of liquid per day with the residual chemicals ending up in the lawn areas, which can cause damage to the grass.”

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“After witnessing numerous violations and receiving complaints from other park users, Rangers issued the lowest level citation available.”

Snakenberg said, “If I thought I was in any way damaging the environment or hurting people, I wouldn’t be around very long. I’ve been doing this for over 10 years.”

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

“It’s not just my livelihood, it’s something that is actually part of the community now,” he told Fox 5 San Diego — noting that many of the same people have been coming to see him perform for years. 

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Tarot influencer’s claims in Idaho college murders case spark courtroom reckoning

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Tarot influencer’s claims in Idaho college murders case spark courtroom reckoning

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A federal jury in Boise awarded $10 million to a University of Idaho professor after finding a Texas TikToker financially liable for spreading false claims that linked her to the 2022 stabbing deaths of four college students.

The decision came Friday in U.S. District Court in the case of Scofield v. Guillard. Jurors awarded $7.5 million in punitive damages and $2.5 million in compensatory damages, according to court records and reporting by the Idaho Statesman.

Professor Rebecca Scofield, who chairs the university’s history department, filed suit in December 2022 against Houston resident Ashley Guillard. The lawsuit stemmed from a series of TikTok videos in which Guillard alleged, without evidence, that Scofield had a romantic relationship with one of the victims and arranged the killings.

The victims, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, were stabbed to death in a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022. The crime drew nationwide attention and left the campus community reeling.

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Ashley Guillard posted TikTok videos falsely linking a University of Idaho professor to the Idaho college murders, leading to a defamation lawsuit. (TikTok/ashleyisinthebookoflife4)

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Authorities later arrested Bryan Kohberger, a criminology doctoral student at nearby Washington State University at the time. He ultimately pleaded guilty in a deal that spared him the death penalty and is now serving four consecutive life sentences in an Idaho state prison.

In a statement to Fox News Digital following the verdict, Scofield expressed gratitude to the jury and said she hopes to close a painful chapter.

“I want to thank the jury for their time and attention to this case. The judge had already ruled as a matter of law that the statements were false. The $10 million verdict reinforces the judge’s decision and sends the clear message that false statements online have consequences in the real world for real people and are unacceptable in our community,” Scofield said.

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University of Idaho students from left to right: Ethan Chapin, 20; Xana Kernodle, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21. All four were stabbed to death in an off-campus rental home in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022. (Jazzmin Kernodle via AP/Instagram/ @kayleegoncalves)

“The murders of the four students on November 13, 2022, was the darkest chapter in our university’s history. Today’s decision shows that respect and care should always be granted to victims during these tragedies. I am hopeful that this difficult chapter in my life is over, and I can return to a more normal life with my family and the wonderful Moscow community.”

Court filings show that in June 2024, Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Patricco determined that Guillard’s statements were legally defamatory, leaving only the question of monetary damages for a jury to decide.

According to the complaint, Guillard began posting videos in late November 2022 claiming Scofield had secretly been involved with one of the students and had “ordered” the killings. The lawsuit states Scofield had never met any of the victims and was out of state when the murders occurred.

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People lay flowers and pay respects at the University of Idaho on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Four students were murdered in Moscow, Idaho over the weekend. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)

The filing further alleges that Guillard continued publishing the accusations even after receiving cease-and-desist letters and after police publicly indicated Scofield was not connected to the crime.

At the time, Guillard’s TikTok account had garnered more than 100,000 followers, with some of the videos receiving millions of interactions, according to court documents.

Scofield’s legal team argued the statements amounted to defamation because they accused her of criminal conduct and professional misconduct that could jeopardize her academic career.

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During the damages trial, Scofield described the emotional toll of seeing her name associated with the murders online, according to the Idaho Statesman. Jurors deliberated for less than two hours before returning their verdict, the outlet reported.

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Guillard, who represented herself in court, has maintained that her statements were expressions of belief tied to tarot card readings, according to courtroom coverage.

It was not immediately known whether she intends to appeal. Fox News Digital has reached out to Guillard for comment.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

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San Francisco, CA

5 teens, 3 adults arrested in San Francisco double stabbing at Dolores Park

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5 teens, 3 adults arrested in San Francisco double stabbing at Dolores Park



Three adults and five juveniles were arrested after two people were stabbed on Wednesday at San Francisco’s Dolores Park, police said.

The San Francisco Police Department said officers responded at about 4:50 p.m. to a report of a group of people fighting at the park. On the way there, the officers were notified that there was a possible stabbing, police said.

When officers arrived, they found two men with stab wounds, and the officers began first aid before medics arrived. Both men were taken to the hospital, one with life-threatening injuries, police said.

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Officers searched the area around the park and detained eight people; they were all arrested after investigators developed probable cause, police said. The adults were identified as 18-year-old Fernando Moreno Hernandez, 18-year-old David Paz, and 19-year-old Yeferson Mondragon-Ortiz. Each was booked into the San Francisco County Jail.

The five teenagers were taken and booked into the city’s Juvenile Justice Center.

All suspects were charged with attempted murder, conspiracy, assault likely to produce great bodily injury, and assault with a deadly weapon.  

Police said the case was still under active investigation, and anyone with information was asked to contact the department at 415-575-4444, or send a text to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

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Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

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Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense


NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.

I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.

Broncos top FA needs on offense

Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.

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I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.

Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.

Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.

Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.

Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.

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Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.

Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).

There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.

Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.

Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.

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Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.

The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.

Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.



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