DOUCHE OF THE DAY: Youth Soccer Coach Accused of Sexually Abusing Boys
(KTLA-TV)
Clearly, this week has been rather creepy one for kids having to deal with getting sexually abused. So wrong. A longtime American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) coach is behind bars, accused of sexually abusing underage boys in the Antelope Valley. Renoir Valenti, 50, has coached boys between 9 and 14 years old for more than 16 years, according to authorities. He was arrested at his home last Monday and charged with two counts of felony sexual abuse of a child and two counts of annoying or molesting a child. Valenti, who pleaded not guilty is being held on $1 million bail. He is expected to appear in court again on Monday. Authorities believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Brian Hudson of the Special Victims Unit at
Exploding toilets prompt recall, lawsuit
Millions of Flushmate devices have been recalled after toilet explosions. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times)
The United States is recalling millions of faulty flushing mechanisms that have caused toilets to explode, creating “laceration risks” for toilet users. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the warning about the Flushmate III Pressure-Assisted Flushing System, which was sold at Home Depot and Lowe’s stores and to toilet manufacturers American Standard, Crane, Kohler, Eljer, Mansfield, St. Thomas and Gerber. The recall applies to devices manufactured between 1997 and 2008 -- about 2.3 million in the United States and 9,000 in Canada. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said Flushmate has received 304 reports of the product bursting, with 14 “impact or laceration injuries.” Anyone who owns a toilet with the recalled system should shut off the water connection to the toilet and contact Flushmate at
Silversun Pickups Want Romney Campaign To Stop Using "Panic Switch"
Looks like a SSPU turned on their own panic switch when Mitt Romney used their song in hisa campaign. Lead singer, Brian Aubert said, "We don't like people going behind our backs, using our music without asking, and we don't like the Romney campaign," in the statement announcing that the Los Angeles band sent a cease and desist letter to the GOP candidate's campaign on Wednesday requesting that they stop using the tune. "We're nice, approachable people. We won't bite. Unless you're Mitt Romney! We were very close to just letting this go because the irony was too good. While he is inadvertently playing a song that describes his whole campaign, we doubt that 'Panic Switch' really sends the message he intends.” The statement said neither the band nor their representatives were contacted by the Romney campaign about using the song and that they have "no intention of endorsing the Romney campaign. [LAist]
More than 20K Pairs of Fake Louboutin Shoes Seized
Federal customs officials have seized more than 20,000 fake pairs of Christian Louboutin shoes on their way from China to Los Angeles. Four shipments of the high-end, red-soled shoes were seized on Tuesday, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. They said that another shipment was seized back on July 27. The shoes could have sold for as much as $18 million in the U.S., authorities said. "The lacquered red sole in women's shoes is a distinctive symbol of famous French designer Christian Louboutin," U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Jaime Ruiz said in a statement. He added that, in this case, the colored soles are also "a trademark protected by U.S. law." The real designer shoes are often worn by A-list celebrities, and can go for thousands of dollars per pair. Jeeze, do they make you fly? Because for that price, they better. Authorities say the counterfeit shoes will likely be destroyed. [KTLA]
Ryan Lochte Films "90210" Cameo
Swimming hunk Ryan Lochte is back from the Olympics, and he's already slotted for a guest appearance on the hit CW show "90210." Lochte was one of the United States' biggest stars in London, teaming with Michael Phelps and Missy Franklin to help U.S. swimming make an enormous splash. Lochte said the career moment that he'll never forget actually came back in 2008 when he won his first individual gold medal.Lochte said that he keeps all his Olympic medals in a safe and only takes a couple out for appearances. His 90210 guest spot is scheduled to air on September 29. [KTLA]
