West News

Topa in California Names Yates Assistant Vice President of Claims

Topa Insurance Co. has named Kelly Yates assistant vice president of claims. Yates will be located in Topa’s Calabasas, Calif. office. Yates has oversight of Topa’s property and commercial auto business and its special investigations unit. He has more than …

Technology Expected to Aid Drivers in Arizona Dust Storms

With Arizona’s monsoon season quickly approaching, state transportation planners plan to begin installing a new dust-detection system on Interstate 10. The Arizona Department of Transportation recorded 85 dust-related crashes along the busy freeway from Phoenix to Tucson from 2010 to …

Idaho Crop Insurance Company Will Pay $3.48M in Lawsuit

A crop insurance company has agreed to pay a southwestern Idaho farming family $3.48 million following a lawsuit. The Idaho Statesman reported that the Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho agreed to pay Nate and Kristin Pancheri for damage …

Washington Hotel Owner Faces Charges Over Asbestos Removal, Fined $355K

A Seattle, Wash. hotel owner is facing a felony perjury charge and state Clean Air Act violations after authorities said he lied about having uncertified workers remove asbestos during a renovation. Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Friday he filed the …

M5.5 Quake Confirmed in California Near Pacific Coast

The U.S. Geological Survey a magnitude 5.5 earthquake has hit near the Pacific coast of Northern California. The agency says the earthquake struck at 8:53 p.m. on Saturday at a spot 17.3 miles southwest of Scotia, a town of 850 …

CSAA in California Names Acevedo Chief Information Officer, and Rogers Chief Information Security Officer

CSAA Insurance Group has named Paul Acevedo executive vice president and chief information officer. CSAA has also named Marlys Rodgers chief information security officer. Acevedo leads CSAA’s technology organization, with responsibilities including consumer- and agent-facing digital experiences. Acevedo joined CSAA …

NFP Acquires Excel Bonds & Insurance Services in California

NFP has acquired Sacramento, Calif.-based Excel Bonds & Insurance Services Inc. The deal closed May 1. Cathy Skeen and Dave Garese, former founders and principals, will join NFP as senior vice presidents, reporting to John Hyland, senior vice president and …

California Governor Wants Wildfire Fund to Help Utilities

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is pressing lawmakers on a wildfire fund that may be financed through bonds to help utilities pay for the catastrophic blazes their power lines keep igniting, according to people familiar with the proposal. Newsom is proposing …

Bird Knocks Out 84% of Massive California Solar Farm

An “avian incident” sparked a fire at one of California’s biggest solar farms, affecting 1,200 acres and knocking out 84% of the California Valley Solar Ranch’s generating capacity. The June 5 incident didn’t damage solar panels at the 250-megawatt power …

Most Local Governments on Sidelines of California Cannabis Rush, But for How Long?

The number of licensed cannabis businesses in California continues to rise. For the state’s three types of licenses – temporary, provisional and annual – the latest figures show roughly 2,700 businesses licensed by the Bureau of Cannabis Control, which includes …

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