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Bill seeking to bail out BART with bridge-toll hikes is put on pause

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:21 GMT

Efforts to pass a controversial bill to fund the Bay Area’s financially strapped transit system–including BART, Muni and other agencies–by raising Bay Area bridge tolls by $1.50 are being put on pause amid weak legislative support, State Sen. Scott Wiener announced Monday.The San Francisco Democrat introduced the bill late in the legislative session after efforts to obtain sustainable transit funding in the state budget fell through. In an interview, Wiener said he knew from the beginning that the toll hike would be a difficult political lift. SB352 would have required a two-thirds majority to pass both houses of the Legislature.“We don’t have enough time, so we’re hitting the pause button,” Wiener said. “We’re going to work within our Bay Area delegation to try to build broader support for a funding strategy.”The proposal also faced criticism from regional observers, local members of Congress and some of Wiener’s own colleagues. Critics said it was unfair to pass the co...

Letters: In-depth coverage | Safeway’s concern | California Conference | Flow trail | Solar squeeze | Ukraine slaughter

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:21 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.In-depth coveragekeeps readers informedKudos to reporters and editors for a series of front-page news including the Danville School Board meeting and the Moms for Liberty (unsuccessful) attempt to ban support of LGBTQ/plus support programs (“‘Fear and hate are the issue,’” Page A1, Aug. 17), and then in following days front-page reporting on the Antioch and Pittsburg police officers scandal (“Did lack of reform lead to scandal?” Page A1, Aug. 20).You provided in-depth reporting and I read every word. Both events (the emergence of Moms for Liberty’s presence in our town and the brutality of police officers) were deeply disturbing, yet I want to know about these local happenings. Your reporting helps me be an informed citizen.Kim RisedorphDanvilleSafeway’s concern issafety, not happinessRe: “Why grocery stores are no longer one of her happy places”...

Spider bites? Los Gatos party mom court hearing delayed over murky medical issue

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:21 GMT

Los Gatos’ accused party mom was supposed to get her day in court this week to challenge felony charges that she endangered teens by hosting liquor-fueled gatherings for her son and his friends and girlfriends and allegedly goaded them into sex hookups that weren’t always consensual.But Shannon O’Connor, jailed since her October 2021 arrest, was a no-show Monday.In a brief hearing, Judge Elizabeth C. Peterson said only that O’Connor’s absence “may be medically related” and that she had “no reason to doubt that there is good cause” for her refusal to ride from jail to the courthouse.O’Connor’s lawyer, Brian Madden, and Deputy District Attorney Rebekah Wise, wouldn’t comment on the nature of O’Connor’s affliction afterwards.But before Monday’s brief hearing, officials in the courtroom could be overheard discussing that she believed she had spider bites or an MRSA skin infection for which she̵...

Here’s your chance, Bay Area, to adopt one of Maui’s orphaned dogs or cats after wildfire

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:21 GMT

The journey from Maui to Portland, Oregon, and then to the Bay Area might seem like an arduous one for a dog. But the long trip didn’t kill Wolfie’s “spitfire” personality. He couldn’t wait to get out of his kennel at the Marin Humane Society and do his business.The one-year-old terrier was one of 44 animals that arrived in Hayward around 8:45 p.m. last Friday, standing at the front of their crates with wagging tails and wiggling whiskers. The animals, which included 33 dogs and 11 cats, were rescued from the Maui Humane Society to create more space for the shelter that is overwhelmed by the deadly wildfires that took the lives of more than a hundred people and an unknown number of pets.“We were all waiting sort of on pins and needles for the plane to arrive,” said Candace Alexander, the volunteer engagement manager at Marin Humane Society. “It was wonderful to see everybody kind of on the same field just waiting to help the animals an...

Letters: Powerful forces | More oversight | Morality missions | SJSU misinformation | Show we care | Shared response

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:21 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Powerful forces drivepolice corruptionRe: “Did lack of reform lead to scandal?” (Page A1, Aug. 20).Police departments don’t operate in a vacuum, and they are not autonomous, though it often feels that they are.The Antioch and Pittsburg police departments’ officers take orders from their superiors on the force as well from powerful outside interests such as chambers of commerce, wealthy and well-connected residents, as well as a variety of business interests large and small. We’d all like to believe that the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments have only a relatively few “rogue” cops, but the truth ought to be far more concerning. In nearly every police department where misconduct is seemingly rampant, the victims are most often members of groups with little economic power. The powers that be give police marching orders to keep them in line and make sure they ...

Bay Area spa shuttered after 2 die from Legionnaires' disease

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:21 GMT

(KRON) -- Contra Costa County health officials said water samples collected from a Richmond day spa's hot tub contained high levels of legionella bacteria, making it the likely source of two Legionnaires’ disease deaths. Contra Costa Health began investigating Zen Day Spa on August 4, less than 24 hours after two patients died in hospitals. Both patients had visited the spa before becoming ill with Legionnaires’ disease.County health officials discovered that the spa, located at 12230 San Pablo Avenue, was operating without a health permit and had an illegal hot tub. The hot tub at Zen Day Spa was designed for private -- not commercial -- use."CCH collected water and swab samples and, while still awaiting final reports from the lab, initial results show high concentrations of legionella bacteria," health officials announced Monday. CCH contacted more than 30 recent customers of Zen Day Spa as part of its investigation, as well as multiple customers who became sick with Legionnaires’...

Fire near Port of Oakland being investigated by Alameda County DA

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:21 GMT

(KRON) -- A fire that broke out earlier this month near the Port of Oakland is being investigated, according to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. The fire, which occurred at Schnitzer Steel's Oakland facility on August 9 and 10, sent smoke billowing into the sky and led to air quality advisories in the East Bay.The fire erupted in a large pile of scrap metal just after 5:30 p.m. on the evening of Aug. 9. Fire crews were able to contain it to just one pile of debris and it was under control by 9 p.m., officials said. Rain falls in Bay Area as remnants of Hilary hit It was officially put out on Thursday Aug. 10.The cause of the fire has not been determined. No injuries were reported.The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued two notices of violation to Schnitzer Steel for the fire.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Redwood City PD warn of jewelry thief who kissed victim before stealing necklace

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:21 GMT

(KRON) -- The Redwood City Police Department is warning the public to be vigilant in the wake of two incidents where thieves stole jewelry from unsuspecting victims in the parking lot of a Costco at 2300 Middlefield Road. The first instance occurred on Friday, Aug. 11.According to police, the victim was approached by an unidentified woman who gave her a fake gold necklace. When the victim arrived home, she realized the suspect had stolen her gold necklace. Fire near Port of Oakland being investigated by Alameda County DA The second instance took place on Thursday, Aug. 17.The unsuspecting victim was approached by an unidentified woman who gave him a kiss on the cheek. A few moments later, the victim realized the suspect had stolen his necklace.Redwood City PD said it is actively investigating both cases and warned people to be mindful of their belongings when approached by people they don't know. There is a common scam, according to police, where suspects approach victims and offe...

Seattle Mariners activate SS J.P. Crawford from the 7-day injured list

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:21 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — J.P. Crawford drove his wife crazy while he was sidelined by a concussion. He watched Seattle Mariners games, and yelled at the television.“She’s probably happy I’m out of the house, too,” he cracked.Crawford is back with the Mariners after he was activated from the seven-day injured list on Monday. He got the start at shortstop and hit in the leadoff spot for the opener of a three-game series at the Chicago White Sox.Seattle also placed right-hander Emerson Hancock on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder strain. Right-hander Darren McCaughan was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, and utilityman Sam Haggerty was sent down.Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez was out of the starting lineup on the same day he was named AL player of the week. Rodríguez is batting .524 (22 for 42) with two homers and 13 RBIs in his last eight games.“I think this guy’s run like eight miles worth of bases over the last week or so, and stealing bases and whatnot,” manag...

Spain celebrates Women’s World Cup at home with Carmona remembering her late father

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:21 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Spain celebrated its Women’s World Cup title at home with Olga Carmona being thrown up into the air by her teammates in front of thousands of fans who welcomed the newly crowned champions on Monday.Carmona, who scored the winning goal in Sunday’s final against England, participated in the celebrations despite being told after the match that her father had died following an illness. Her family decided to wait until the match was over to inform Carmona.“Today is a very special day for the entire country, but it’s also a bit complicated for me,” Carmona told the fans who greeted the players a day after La Roja’s 1-0 win over England in Australia.“Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions for me,” she said. “At one point it was the best day of my life, but then it became the worst. I’m really moved to be able to offer this joy for the entire country. Now you have the star that you all wanted so much, and not only the one that we will carry o...