Le Journal

A Corona family said Tuesday that it’s shocked and puzzled after learning the driver who struck and killed a family member is set to be released from the state prison next month. Noemi Velado was sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and a felony hit-and-run in 2020. Jurors found Velado guilty of killing Benjamin Montalvo, who was riding his bicycle near Centennial High School, as she was speeding and texting at the time of the crash. But Montalvo’s family received a notice from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) that Velado would be released next month after serving only two years out of her nine-year sentence. “It takes us right back to the time of trial and feels like a gut punch,” Kellie Montalvo, Benjamin’s mom, said while standing in his bedroom. Glendale Jan 19 Man pleads for public's help in identifying hit-and-run driver who caused fiancé's death LAPD Jan 19 Skateboarder severely injured in hit-and-run crash in Panorama City On the CDCR website, Velado, 28, was still listed at the Department of Corrections in Corona. The website also notes that “incarcerated persons may earn credits for participating in rehabilitative programming, which may move their parole eligible date to an earlier date.” It did not say exactly when the driver would be released. “I keep thinking it’s a clerical error. And I keep thinking and have hope it’s a mistake, but that thread of hope is becoming thinner and thinner,” the victim’s mom said. “I don’t know if there will ever be such a thing of closure, but there can be moments of peace and memories. We don’t get to make new memories. In response to NBC Los Angeles’ request for comment, the CDCR only responded with a link to Velado’s case on its website. The Montalvo family started a foundation called “Safe Inland Empire,” which advocates for traffic safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Friends and family of a teenage boy who was shot and killed in Victorville gathered on Monday to mourn the loss of the young life. Fourteen-year-old Jeremy “Tank” Rosales was fatally shot near a school and park on Friday in Victorville, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBSD). Deputies were called to the intersection of Burwood Avenue and Glen Canyon Lane for reports of shots fired at 8:21 p.m. At the scene, Rosales was found suffered from gunshot wounds. The boy was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died of his injuries. On Monday, the teen’s loved ones held a candlelight vigil and balloon release in memory of Rosales. Described as loyal teammate, Rosales was a spirited football player who touched the lives of those he loved, mourners said. “Jeremy was the sweetest kid with a big smile,” one woman at the vigil said. “He was like my nephew; I had him every weekend.” “Sweet guy,” Gavin Hernandez, Rosales’ friend, said. “Just a big teddy bear, man. Wouldn’t do anything to hurt anybody.” SBSD said the investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made in connection with Rosales’ shooting. Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the department’s homicide unit at 909-890-4904. Anonymous tips can be made by calling 1-800-782-7463.

Tackling an issue with huge ramifications for both the economy and the structure of government, the Supreme Court on Wednesday considers President Donald Trump’s attempt to oust Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook. With Trump seeking to exert control over the central bank, which, among other things, sets interest rates, the case has taken on even greater importance after it emerged that the Justice Department is investigating Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Congress set up the Federal Reserve to be independent, so it would not be influenced by immediate political concerns in fulfilling its mandate to maintain price stability and low unemployment. Under the Federal Reserve Act, presidents are restricted from removing governors unless it is “for cause,” meaning there is evidence of wrongdoing. Trump has said he wants to fire Cook for cause, over allegations of mortgage fraud made by one of his political appointees, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte. Cook has denied the allegations, and bank documents obtained by NBC News appear to contradict the fraud claim. The Supreme Court in October refused to allow Trump to fire Cook immediately, instead scheduling oral arguments in the case, suggesting the administration may face an uphill battle over his claim that the decision to remove her cannot be challenged in court. Cook’s lawyers argue she should have notice and a chance to rebut Trump’s stated reasons for firing her before she can be removed. They say Trump’s rationale does not meet the threshold for “for cause” removal. Solicitor General D. John Sauer, representing the Trump administration, says in court papers that Cook has no right to any kind of hearing challenging her firing. It is up to the president alone to decide whether the “for cause” hurdle is met under the powers allocated to him under Section 2 of the Constitution, he said. Powell is expected to attend Wednesday’s argument. Trump has long been critical of the Fed, and Powell in particular, for not doing more to lower interest rates, though he originally appointed Powell to the position in 2017. Trump has not moved to fire Powell, though the Justice Department investigation, related to testimony Powell gave to Congress about refurbishments at the Fed’s headquarters in Washington, could similarly give him a reason. Although Powell’s term as chair ends in May, he could stay as a board member until 2028. President Joe Biden appointed Cook to a term that ends in 2038. Trump Administration Jan 20 Jerome Powell to attend Supreme Court arguments in case on Trump's power to fire Fed Gov. Lisa Cook Trump Administration Sep 18, 2025 Trump asks the Supreme Court to allow him to fire Fed member Lisa Cook Trump Administration Sep 15, 2025 Senate confirms Trump Fed pick; appeals court blocks removal of Lisa Cook The Trump administration’s handling of Cook and Powell has raised alarm among former Fed officials and Trump critics who say the Federal Reserve must maintain its independence to be effective and fear it could be directly controlled by the White House. “We are in an unprecedented moment right now. President Donald Trump is doing everything he can to take over America’s central bank so that it works for him, along with his billionaire friends,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told reporters last week. While Warren has been a critic of Fed policies that she sees as favoring Wall Street and big banks, she added, “I think we can all agree that the Fed works best when its decisions are based on data.” Economists warn that lower rates in the short term to achieve Trump’s political goals could have negative long-term consequences. “This is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets with weak institutions, with highly negative consequences for inflation and the functioning of their economies more broadly,” former Fed chairs and other former…

A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled on Tuesday honoring Rachel McAdams for a film acting career highlighted by a best supporting actress Oscar nomination. McAdams got emotional while accepting the honor, giving thanks to her parents, who were in attendance. “When I was about 8 years old, growing up in tiny little St. Thomas, Canada, I wrote my parents a very desperate letter, asking them to figure out how to fulfill my greatest dream — to be on Ed McMahon’s `Star Search’,” McAdams said. “They were of course incredibly supportive. I do want to freeze time for a second because you only get a few of these moments in life to thank you on a stage for everything. All of it. All of it is because of you and the love you gave us and the beautiful childhood you gave us, and for believing in me long before I could grasp how to believe in myself.” McAdams was also joined at the ceremony at 6922 Hollywood Blvd., between Highland Avenue and Orange Drive, near the El Capitan Theatre, by director Sam Raimi and actor Domhnall Gleeson. The ceremony came 10 days before the release of “Send Help,” a psychological thriller directed by Raimi in which McAdams portrays an overlooked and undervalued employee who with her dismissive, arrogant new boss (Dylan O’Brien) are the only survivors of a plane crash on a deserted island. Raimi also directed McAdams in the 2022 Marvel film, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” in which she reprised her role of emergency surgeon Christine Palmer from the 2016 Marvel film “Doctor Strange.” Gleeson and McAdams co-starred in the 2013 romantic science fiction comedy-drama “About Time.” The star is the 2,833rd since the completion of the Walk of Fame in 1961 with the initial 1,558 stars. Born Nov. 17, 1978, in London, Ontario, and raised about 17 miles south in St. Thomas, Ontario, where she was involved with theater while growing up, McAdams received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from York University in Toronto in 2001. McAdams made her television debut in the unaired MTV pilot “Shotgun Love Dolls,” filmed during her spring break from college in 2001. She made her film debut later that year in the Italian-Canadian comedy, “My Name Is Tanino,” as an American girl vacationing in Italy who an Italian liberal arts student (Corrado Fortuna) falls in love with. Her Hollywood film debut came in the 2002 comedy “The Hot Chick” as a catty high school student who swaps bodies with a small-time criminal (Rob Schneider). McAdams rose to fame in 2004 with her portrayals of “queen bee” Regina George in the comedy “Mean Girls” and 17-year-old heiress Allie Hamilton in the romantic drama ‘The Notebook.” The following year McAdams appeared in the comedy “Wedding Crashers.” McAdams received a best supporting actress Oscar nomination in 2016 for her portrayal of investigative journalist Sacha Pfeiffer in “Spotlight,” losing out to Alicia Vikander for her performance as Danish painter Gerda Wegener in “The Danish Girl.” McAdams’ other film credits include “Midnight in Paris”; “Sherlock Holmes” and “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”; “The Little Prince”; “Morning Glory”; “The Time Traveler’s Wife”; and “The Family Stone.” McAdams’ television credits include the second season of the HBO anthology crime drama “True Detective.” McAdams received a best actress in a play Tony Award nomination in 2024 for her Broadway debut, playing the title role in “Mary Jane,” a woman caring for her chronically ill young son.

A 26-year-old man from Levittown, Pennsylvania, is facing sexual assault and other charges after his alleged teen victim posted to Reddit, prosecutors from Gloucester County, New Jersey, said on Tuesday. Sean Flohr, initially made contact with his alleged victim by messaging her on Reddit, but they moved to communicating on Discord at some point, prosecutors said. The alleged abuse came to light after the teen posted to Reddit and “inquired on assistance meeting an adult male to engage in sexual intercourse,” prosecutors said. A Reddit user tipped off the post to detectives, who then contacted the girl’s guardian, prosecutors said. However, the minor also called 911 and said that someone she knew as “Dean” had just left her home and said that they engaged in sexual activities, prosecutors said. The girl also said she cut her wrist after the sexual encounter. The girl also later told law enforcement that “Dean” had instructed her to take nude pictures and videos of herself and send it to him, prosecutors said. Flohr was taken into custody by a Bucks County SWAT Team and he is awaiting extradition to Gloucester County, prosecutors said. Flohr faces charges including three counts of second-degree sexual assault of a victim aged 13 to 16, three counts of second-degree sexual assault, as well as other charged involving child pornography and endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said. Investigators say the investigation into Flohr is ongoing and they believe there may be more victims. Anyone who believes they were a victim or has useful information on other crimes involving Flohr is urged to contact the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office.