West
California mom of 8 fatally shot while protecting kids from drug dealers in harrowing footage
A California mother of eight was fatally shot, reportedly while confronting a group of people she believed sold marijuana vape pens to her child, according to local news.
Maria Guadalupe Ramos Velasco, 33, of Los Angeles, was shot earlier this month near the intersection of Hilton Street and Bancroft Avenue in Oakland around 2:20 p.m. on Aug. 7, according to FOX 2 Oakland.
Earlier that day, Ramos and her mother, Blanca Velasco, apparently saw a Toyota parked near Velasco’s house and believed the occupants were selling marijuana vape pens to one of Ramos’ children. The pair planned to approach the vehicle and tell them to “stop coming” to the house, Velasco told KTVU.
Ramos and Velasco were in Velasco’s Toyota RAV4 at the time, and Ramos reportedly got out to confront the suspects in their vehicle. Then, she allegedly diffused pepper spray into the back of the suspect vehicle, KTVU reported, citing recently obtained video footage of the incident, a witness and a source close to the investigation.
SAN FRANCISCO PROSECUTOR TAPS FRIEND WITH NO LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE FOR HIGH-PAYING JOB AS VIOLENT CRIME RUNS RAMPANT
Maria Guadalupe Ramos Velasco, a 33-year-old mother of eight, was fatally shot on Aug. 7 while reportedly confronting a group she believes sold vape pens to one of her children. (KTVU)
At that point, a 16-year-old suspect, who has not been named due to his age, allegedly shot Ramos, killing her. When the teen suspect pointed the firearm at Velasco she drove off but circled back to find her daughter lying on the ground, according to KTVU.
POLICE INVESTIGATING MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF 19-YEAR-OLD IN KOREATOWN: LAPD
Maria Guadalupe Ramos Velasco, 33, of Los Angeles, was shot near the intersection of Hilton Street and Bancroft Avenue in Oakland around 2:20 p.m. on Aug. 7, (KTVU)
Prosecutors charged alleged driver Isaiah Gomez, 19, with being an accessory to a crime.
“I started rubbing her chest and telling her, ‘Breathe, Lupita, breathe! Like, we still need you. You have 8 kids.’ And she tried,” Velasco told the outlet.
THEIVES HIT 3 7-ELEVENS IN 20 MINUTES, HOURS AFTER NEWSOM SIGNED ‘SMASH-AND-GRAB’ TACKLING BILLS
Ramos leaves behind seven daughters between 1 and 16 years old, as well as a 7-year-old son. (KTVU)
Ramos had previously grappled with her own drug habit, according to her mother. She leaves behind seven daughters between 1 and 16 years old, as well as a 7-year-old son.
“We have to change the way we live over here,” Ramos’ aunt, Maria Del Carmen Beltran, told KTVU. “We don’t have to be killer people, you know?”
NEWSOM SIGNS PACKAGE TO CURB SMASH-AND-GRAB ROBBERIES, CAR THEFTS
Ramos “brought immense joy, love, and kindness into the lives of everyone who knew her,” a GoFundMe page states. (KTVU)
“She brought immense joy, love, and kindness into the lives of everyone who knew her,” Beltran wrote in the description of a GoFundMe page for Ramos. “As we navigate this profound loss, we are coming together to honor Guadalupe’s memory and provide her with the farewell she truly deserve.”
The GoFundMe titled “María Guadalupe Ramos Velasco family” says donations “will go directly towards help [for] her kids, and to help ease the financial burden on the Ramos family.”
Read the full article from Here
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The summer solstice, which marks the astronomical beginning of Summer, is also considered the longest day of the year– meaning daytime hours are longer while nighttime hours are shorter.
WEATHER | Latest Storm Tracker 2 Forecast
This is because the summer solstice marks when the Northern Hemisphere is closest to the sun.
In Washington and Oregon, we will lose about 50 minutes by the end of July. But in the southern United States, that change is reduced.
For example, in Florida, they will lose about 20 minutes by the end of the month.
As Earth continues to orbit around the sun while rotating on its axis, the Northern Hemisphere will eventually be faced away from the sun as we approach winter solstice on December 21, 2026.
While we are losing daylight, we will not be losing any sunshine. High temperatures on Sunday will end in the lower 80s and Tuesday’s high could be closer to 90.
SALT LAKE CITY — The United States is often considered among the best countries to go road tripping, each state offering its own unique experience. With beauties dotting the country, such as Glacier, Yosemite, Zion and Great Smoky Mountains national parks, the 50 states each offer something different to attract visitors.
And according to a new WalletHub study, Utah is the second-best state in the nation in which to pack up the car and drive.
“Taking a summer road trip can be a very exciting way to experience a new place, but with the prices of gas, food and accommodations still impacted by inflation, you’ll want to be in a state that makes this type of vacation affordable,” according to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.
“Safe roads are also key, and so is having plenty of worthwhile attractions to stop at along the road. The best states for summer road trips, therefore, are those that keep costs low while providing the best driving experience and most fun activities.”
Why Utah is ranked so high
Coming in as the top road-tripping state is Minnesota due to its relatively cheap cost and its high spending on parks and recreation. But Utah comes in second for its “breathtaking scenery, outdoor recreation and safe driving conditions,” according to WalletHub.
While Utah ranks 34th in the country in terms of costs, the state makes up for it in road safety. Utah ranks in the top 10 for least amount of car thefts per capita and is fourth in fewest fatalities per 100 million miles driven.
Cumulatively, Utah is the sixth safest state to road-trip in.
Also boosting its rating are its amusement parks, where Utah ranks seventh.
The top five states for road trips include:
- Minnesota
- Utah
- Louisiana
- New York
- Florida
The bottom five round out to:
- Maryland
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Rhode Island
The ‘Mighty Five’ and Utahraptor State Park
If you come for activities like amusement parks and zoos, Utah has you covered with Lagoon and Utah’s Hogle Zoo, accompanied by a plethora of water parks. However, Utah is perhaps best known for its stunning natural formations.
Boasting the second most national parks in the mainland U.S., only behind California’s nine, Utah’s five national parks make for a no-brainer trek. Starting at Canyonlands National Park, you can hit Arches National Park and Utah’s newest park, Utahraptor State Park, in a matter of 35 miles, give or take.
From Utahraptor State Park, another two hours will take you to Capitol Reef National Park, two more hours brings you to Bryce Canyon National Park and another two will land you in the second most visited national park in the country, Zion National Park.
In roughly seven hours of driving, travelers can cross five national parks off their bucket list while witnessing the scenic stretch from eastern Utah to the southwest part.
Utah also has the second-highest spending per capita on parks and recreation, and there are plenty of state parks to check out while in the desert state.
Utahraptor State Park
If you are a dinosaur enthusiast, Utahraptor State Park is a great place to stop. Officially opened to the public in May 2025, the park features one of the largest bone beds with over 5,500 fossils discovered, representing more than 10 different species at Dalton Wells Dinosaur Quarry.
Among the species is the Utahraptor, which spans 20 feet long and stands 5 feet tall, estimated to weigh 1,000 pounds.
The park also features various sites where you can see ancient tracks embedded in the sandstone, made by theropods, sauropods, ornithopods and even prehistoric crocodiles.
You can discover more at the park website.
Road trip tips
As the U.S. experiences brutal prices at the pump, which are also affecting the prices of other various services like food, it is even more important to plan ahead.
“If you want to make your money stretch, you have to ditch the luxury mindset and channel your inner 19-year-old on a broke, wild mission,” Lynn University associate professor Andrew Burnstine told WalletHub.
Here are some tips experts gave:
- Plan ahead.
- Look for local deals.
- Bring snacks from grocery stores.
- Download apps to track down cheap fuel.
- Bypass highway tourist traps.
- Use campsites instead of hotels.
- Check into hotels on the outskirts if a bed is a must.
- Keep tires inflated.
- Keep trunk light.
These are simple tips for making your trip financially less burdensome, but “even these small savings can make a visible difference by the end of a trip,” said Minnesota State University Moorhead professor Wooyang Kim, per WalletHub.
The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.
CASPER, Wyo. — Sunday is here, and it’s the perfect day to relax, recharge and reinvigorate so that you’re ready for the upcoming week. It’s also the perfect day for some morning yoga, or to go to the carnival! From a BBQ Cook-off event to the CWFR, this is what’s happening on Sunday in the Oil City.
The Oil City Daily Event Guide is sponsored by Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo.
Start off your Sunday in a great way with Sunrise Yoga at David Street Station, beginning at 7:30 a.m.
“Sunrise Yoga is the perfect way to start your mornings with some care for your body!” the event page states. “Yoga will start at 7:30 a.m. and go till 8:30 a.m. Each morning will have a different instructor and we will have more details on that soon.”
Happening Sunday at 7:30 a.m.
The Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo is hosting its annual Open Class BBQ Contest on Sunday, beginning at 4 p.m.
“Celebrate great food, friendly competition, and community pride during the Open Class BBQ Contest at the Central Wyoming Fair & PRCA Rodeo as part of the 250th Celebration of America,” the event page states. “Open to the public, participants are invited to bring their best prepared BBQ meats to the Industrial Building at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds on Sunday, July 5, 2026, for judging at 5 p.m. Contest categories include beef, chicken, fish, lamb, pork, seafood, and wild game. Entries will be judged on appearance, tenderness/texture, and taste by the committee. While this event is not a public tasting, it’s a great opportunity for BBQ enthusiasts to showcase their skills and be part of the Fair’s ‘Celebrating America’s Spirit festivities.”
Happening Sunday at 4 p.m.
Don’t see an event on the calendar? Add it! Click here, add your details and submit to let Casper know all about it.
It’s fair week! The Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo is back at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds, and the entire community is invited.
“The all new Amusement Midway Providers has a combined 100+ years providing safe family fun and entertainment,” the event page states. “We provide carnival rides, games, and food to fairs, festivals and celebrations across the southern states and areas of the Midwest. With all of the fun and activities, guests of all ages can enjoy the excitement. Come one, come all to the best time of your lives. Step right up adults and let your inner child out. Enjoy your children’s pure excitement as you create magical memories that will last you a lifetime. We strive to bring you the best of the best. Safety is a top priority at Amusement Midway Providers. All our equipment is well-maintained and conforms to industry standards.”
Happening Sunday at 3 p.m.
Related
-
Oklahoma2 minutes agoWill Oklahoma Be Able to Replicate Febechi Nwaiwu’s Leadership on Offensive Line?
-
Oregon8 minutes agoWe’re burning daylight! Oregon will lose about 50 minute of daytime by the end of July
-
Pennsylvania15 minutes agoPennsylvania’s Lush Pittsburgh Suburb Has Green Spaces, Local Restaurants, And Quaint Charm – Islands
-
Rhode Island18 minutes ago‘Taylor Swift tax’ goes into effect in Rhode Island
-
South-Carolina23 minutes agoHorry County Fire Rescue contains 3 fires during busy Fourth of July night
-
South Dakota30 minutes agoRapid City to host South Dakota Little League State Tournament
-
Tennessee32 minutes agoTennessee Man Reaches For Item At Lowe’s. Then He Runs Into A Surprising New Touchscreen: ‘No Need To Wait’
-
Texas38 minutes agoStorms target North Texas ahead of blistering Monday game day heat
