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State's August gasoline consumption fell 1.7 percent; diesel fuel consumption rose 11.1 percent
The State Board of Equalization on Wednesday announced California’s gasoline and diesel consumption figures for August 2011.
In California, gasoline consumption fell 1.7 percent in August 2011, while diesel fuel consumption rose 11.1 percent.
“Gasoline consumption continued a six-month decline this year,” said First District Member Betty T. Yee. “Unless gasoline prices lower, Californians will face increasing financial pressure in the months ahead.”
California’s gasoline consumption declined 1.7 percent to 1.27 billion gallons in August 2011 compared to 1.29 billion gallons used in August 2010.
In California, the average price for a gallon of gasoline in August 2011 rose 63 cents to $3.82, a 20 percent increase compared to August 2010 when the average price was $3.19 per gallon of gasoline.
Nationally, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in August 2011 was up 92 cents to $3.70 per gallon, a 33 percent increase over the average price of a gallon of gasoline of $2.78 in August 2010.
California’s diesel consumption increased 11.1 percent for a total 228 million gallons in August 2011 compared to the total of 205 million gallons of diesel consumed in August 2010.
The average price of diesel fuel in California was up 85 cents to $4.01 per gallon in August 2011, a 27 percent increase over the average price of a gallon of diesel of $3.16 in August 2010.
Nationally, the average price of a gallon of diesel was up 90 cents to $3.86 in August 2011, a 30 percent increase over the average U.S. price of a gallon of diesel of $2.96 in August 2010.
Gasoline and diesel fuel figures are net consumption that includes the State Board of Equalization’s audit assessments, refunds, amended and late tax returns, and the State Controller’s Office refunds. Figures for September and third quarter 2011 are scheduled to be available at the end of December 2011.
For all monthly, quarterly and annual fuel reports, visit www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/spftrpts.htm.
Taxable Gasoline Gallons: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/reports/MVF_10_Year_Report.pdf.
Taxable Diesel Gallons: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/reports/Diesel_10_Year_Report.pdf.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Feld Entertainment Inc., doing business as Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, have reached a settlement agreement in which Feld has paid a civil penalty of $270,000 for alleged violations of the Animal Welfare Act dating from June 2007 to August 2011.
"This settlement sends a direct message to the public and to those who exhibit animals that USDA will take all necessary steps to protect animals regulated under the Animal Welfare Act," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The civil penalty and other stipulations in the settlement agreement will promote a better understanding of the rights and responsibilities of all exhibitors in maintaining and caring for animals under their care."
USDA is authorized to assess a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for each AWA violation occurring after June 2008.
In addition to paying the $270,000 civil penalty, the largest assessed against an exhibitor under the AWA, Feld waived the opportunity for a hearing and agreed to develop and implement annual AWA compliance training for all employees who work with and handle animals, including trainers, handlers, attendants and veterinarians starting March 31, 2012, and to establish an AWA compliance position on its staff by February 28, 2012.
All Feld employees who will work with and handle animals must complete the training within 30 days of when they are hired.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is a multi-faceted Agency with a broad mission area that includes protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the AWA, and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. These efforts support the overall mission of USDA.
One of APHIS' core missions is to ensure the welfare of the animals it regulates under the AWA. The AWA sets forth humane standards for care and treatment of animals that are exhibited to the public.
APHIS veterinarians, animal care inspectors and investigators are deeply committed to making sure that all USDA licensed exhibitors provide their animals with proper veterinary care, water, a balanced diet of wholesome food, clean and structurally sound housing that affords enough space for the animals to move comfortably, and protection from extremes in temperature and weather.
To ensure that its licensees are meeting federal standards, APHIS inspectors conduct routine, unannounced inspections of all licensed facilities. The non-compliances resolved through this settlement agreement were discovered through APHIS inspections and investigations, as well as public complaints that were submitted to the agency.
A copy of the full settlement agreement can be found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/FEI_signed_agreement.pdf or viewed below.
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HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Hidden Valley Pet Palace is hitting the road in a new incarnation.
The business now is becoming a mobile pet grooming service, The Traveling Pet Palace.
In addition to grooming, owner Terri Gonsalves will offer pet supplies.
Gonsalves says she will continue to “treat your pets like royalty,” and will bring pet grooming services and pet supplies right to your door.
The Traveling Pet Palace is the only mobile grooming service in Lake County.
Contact The Traveling Pet Palace at 707-888-3487 or visit the business online at www.thetravelingpetpalace.com.
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The case was investigated and prosecuted jointly by the Attorney General's Office and the office of Alameda County District Attorney Nancy E. O'Malley.
The California Department of Real Estate and the Fremont Police Department assisted in the investigation.
“Protecting innocent homeowners from the empty promises by predators like Angeline Lizarrago is a top priority of my office,” Attorney General Harris said. “Those who take advantage of Californians facing foreclosure are not only breaking the law, they also are slowing California's recovery from the economic recession. I am grateful to District Attorney O'Malley and other law enforcement leaders who have made a commitment to investigate and prosecute those who commit these crimes.”
Lizarrago was sentenced on Wednesday in Alameda County Superior Court to five years and ordered to pay more than $31,000 in restitution to nine victims of her foreclosure scam.
Two additional victims are seeking additional restitution; a restitution hearing was set for February 2012 to address their claims.
In September 2010, the Attorney General's Office and the Alameda County District Attorney's Office charged Lizarrago with 23 counts of felony fraud and theft committed at her Fremont business, Avemos Financial Group.
The charges against Lizarrago and her co-defendant, Michael Douglas Young, 68, of Los Gatos, were based on 11 cases of fraud and theft totaling more than $50,000.
“The Alameda County DA's office will remain highly vigilant in our effort to identify and prosecute people who prey upon distressed homeowners in these difficult economic times,” said District Attorney Nancy E. O'Malley. “We applaud the joint efforts of the California Department of Real Estate, the Fremont Police Department, the California Attorney General and the Alameda County District Attorney's office that brought defendant Lizarrago to justice.”
From June 2008 to October 2009, Lizarrago, owner of Avemos, and Young, the general manager, targeted Spanish-speaking homeowners, as well as Southeast Asian immigrants, who were desperate to save their homes.
Victims of the scam were located throughout the Bay Area, including San Leandro, Hayward, Oakland, South San Francisco, and Fremont. There also were a substantial number of victims from the Central Valley.
People stood in line for hours to get into Avemos's waiting room, which was decorated with shrines to the Virgin Mary. Clients seeking help typically paid $1,500 initially. Lizarrago promised she would take steps to stop banks from foreclosing on clients' homes and renegotiate their loans to lower monthly loan payments and reflect their homes' current market value. Lizarrago guaranteed a refund if they were unsuccessful. Many clients lost their homes in foreclosure and did not receive a refund.
Lizarrago also took advantage of the foreclosure crisis in another way. She told an 89-year-old man and his wife, who wanted to move away from Stockton, that she owned 51 properties, many of which had been foreclosed upon, and she could find them a home in Fremont. She asked for an up-front fee, which she promised to return with interest once the purchase was made. In a series of payments, the couple gave Lizarrago $25,000. She never found them a home, nor returned their money.
Lizarrago was on bail from Madera County at the time she committed the offense and she has a prior felony conviction for grand theft. Young, who pleaded not guilty to the felony charges, is scheduled for jury trial on Jan. 23, 2012.
Attorney General Harris formed a Mortgage Fraud Strike Force in May 2010 to investigate and prosecute mortgage fraud. In August, the Strike Force filed its first suit against a law firm that took millions from desperate homeowners.
For tips on how to avoid mortgage fraud and other resources, and to report fraud or file a complaint, visit http://oag.ca.gov/consumers/loan-modification.
The investigation into further criminal actions by Lizarrago and Young is ongoing; to share information about the Avemos Group or the defendants, please call the Alameda County District Attorney's Office at 877-288-2882.