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Bay Area

Quick Cook: Banana Coffee Waffles start the weekend with flavorful style

Banana bread lovers will rejoice in this waffle-ized classic. This hearty (healthy… shhhhh!) breakfast is packed with  banana flavor and the nutty undertones one expects, but with a crisp texture and a little hint of coffee to ring in the morning. I’m reluctant to call out that this recipe is gluten-free and vegan for fear it will drop the bar thirty percent, as people tend to do for baked treats that fall into those two categories. But rest assured, you can keep that bar right where it is. The batter whips up in just a couple of minutes, and you can either eat these hot off the press or freeze them for popping into the toaster on rushed mornings. A pat of butter and warm maple syrup usually does the trick, or top them with yogurt or peanut butter and honey for an even more filling breakfast. Kids will go nuts for mini chocolate chips sprinkled over hot waffles. If you don’t have almond meal on hand, simply throw blanched almonds in the blender instead. You can use frozen bananas you’ve stashed away for a

Bay Area

A Pleasanton woman got a restraining order against her ex. He killed her five days before court hearing to make it permanent, police say

PLEASANTON — Just 10 days before she was killed by an angry ex-boyfriend, a Pleasanton woman described as a “devoted mother” had taken steps to protect herself and her family from harm. Jasmine Del Mar requested and was granted a temporary restraining order against 39-year-old Sean Barry, citing an incident where he discharged a firearm after an argument in their Pleasanton home. But Barry was undeterred. On March 7, five days before an Alameda County judge would have decided whether to make the order permanent, Del Mar called 911 to report that Barry illegally entered her home on Saginaw Circle, armed with an AR-15 rifle. The police dispatcher heard the sound of gunshots, then Del Mar yelling, “are you kidding me,” before the line went dead, authorities said. When law enforcement officers arrived at the home a short time later, they found Del Mar dead and Barry gone. Police located the car driven by Barry, an Oakland resident, and followed him onto Interstate 580, where his vehicle crashed near Castro Valley. Officers who had surrounded his car found him dead inside, along with the AR-15, in what

Inland Empire

Shoppers lament loss of 99 Cents Only Stores, a lifeline for families on a budget

Shoppers are hurrying to their local 99 Cents Only Stores for last-minute deals before they’re gone for good. Joining fellow discount retailer Dollar Tree, which has announced plans to close 1,000 stores nationwide over the next several years, the 99 Cents Only brand is preparing to shutter its 371 locations across California, Arizona, Nevada and Texas by June 5. Shoppers funneled into a 99 Cents store on Arlington Avenue in Riverside on a recent afternoon, greeted by signs splayed outside the building announcing the closure and promising up to 30% discounts. Kimberly Harrison, who lives in Riverside, exited the store with a few snacks and some cooking and décor items. She said she’s a regular shopper at another Riverside location. “Oh, it’ll be sad,” she said of the pending closures. “It’ll be sad for the older folks; it’ll be sad for the moms who really need to shop here.” Just behind her, another shopper rushed to her car with a box of groceries in one arm and a toddler in the other. A customer leaves with a purchase at a 99 Cents Only Store in

Los Angeles

The week’s bestselling books, April 21

Hardcover fiction 1. Table for Two by Amor Towles (Viking: $32) A collection of stories from the author of “The Lincoln Highway.” 2. The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo (Flatiron Books: $30) A magic-infused novel set in the Spanish Golden Age. 3. The Women by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin’s Press: $30) An intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided. 4. James by Percival Everett (Doubleday: $28) An action-packed reimagining of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” 5. North Woods by Daniel Mason (Random House: $28) A sweeping historical tale focused on a single house in the New England woods. 6. City in Ruins by Don Winslow (William Morrow: $32) The bestselling author’s third book in his Danny Ryan trilogy and his final novel. 7. Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar (Knopf: $28) An orphaned son of Iranian immigrants embarks on a search for a family secret. 8. The Hunter by Tana French (Viking: $32) A taut tale of retribution and family set in the Irish countryside. 9. Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange (Knopf: $29) Three generations of a

Los Angeles

Tesla’s $99 self-driving: amazing, but stressful

Tesla recently slashed the price of its self-driving software. What used to cost $200 a month is now just $99. We decided to test out the upgrade, which can be done in seconds from a smartphone app or the screen inside a Tesla. This lower price tag means more people will be willing to try it out. In fact, Tesla has been giving customers a free 30-day trial to check it out. Tesla now calls the experience “Full Self Driving – Supervised” which is code for don’t take your eyes off the road or keep your hands too far from the wheel. Why? This software is amazing when it works, and it is terrifying and stressful at times. Once you activate self-driving, a blue line on the in-cabin screen tells you where the car wants to go, and text prompts like “changing out of the fast lane” tell you what the car is thinking. The car can follow your navigation route, change lanes, make turns and even park itself. If you hate parallel parking, the $99 a month might be a small price to pay.

Los Angeles

Innocent driver struck, killed by motorist who ran red light: Los Angeles police

A young man was struck and killed by a speeding SUV that police say ran a red light in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday night. The collision was reported around 11:15 p.m. when a black BMW SUV was traveling westbound on West Florence Avenue at a high rate of speed, Los Angeles Police Department Detective Gerald Chavarria confirmed. The SUV then slammed into the side of a gray sedan when it reached the Crenshaw Blvd. intersection. Police investigate a fatal crash that occurred on April 16, 2024, in South Los Angeles. (KTLA) “We have evidence that it [the SUV] ran the red light,” Chavarria said. The sedan spun out of control and came to a stop about 70 to 80 feet from the crash site, Chavarria said. The driver of the sedan, identified only as a 25-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the SUV remained at the scene and was detained in the back of a patrol vehicle. “We are going to talk to him and determine if any other crimes occurred other than the red light

Los Angeles

Senators call for renewed Havana Syndrome assessment after 60 Minutes report

By Aliza Chasan, Michael Rey, Oriana Zill de Granados April 17, 2024 / 9:10 AM EDT / CBS News New Havana Syndrome evidence revealed Havana Syndrome evidence suggests who may be responsible for mysterious brain injuries 26:51 An ongoing, five-year 60 Minutes investigation into Havana Syndrome sparked new concerns in Washington.  The March 31 report broadcast on 60 Minutes revealed new evidence of a potential Russian nexus tied to mysterious illnesses suffered by U.S. national security officials. In response, a bipartisan group of lawmakers last week sent a letter to President Biden calling for a “renewed assessment by the U.S. government” of what officials call “anomalous health incidents.”  “At this time, we recognize that we must not let allegations carry more weight than evidence,” the members of Congress wrote. “However, the 60 Minutes piece presented compelling evidence that warrants further review.” The letter was signed by, among others, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees.  “There is no higher priority than the

Los Angeles

Man charged with murdering an Uber driver after believing she was connected to a scam

Man charged with murdering an Uber driver after believing she was connected to a scam – CBS News Watch CBS News An 81-year-old man is charged with murder after thinking the victim was connected to a scam. William Brock received a threatening call last month from someone demanding money. The scammers also called Loletha Hall, an Uber driver, to pick up a package from Brock’s home. Brock confronted Hall with a gun, believing she was connected to the threats. He is now charged with her murder. Warning: The video in this story is disturbing. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Los Angeles

Midwest cleans up following violent storms

Midwest cleans up following violent storms – CBS News Watch CBS News About a dozen tornadoes were reported in four states across the Midwest. The twisters knocked down buildings and trees in Kansas and Iowa. At least two people were hurt. Those storms are now pushing east, creating another threat for severe weather. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Los Angeles

Boeing whistleblower set to testify at Senate hearing amid safety concerns

Boeing whistleblower set to testify at Senate hearing amid safety concerns – CBS News Watch CBS News A Boeing whistleblower plans to testify at a Senate hearing Wednesday. This comes after a door panel fell off an Alaska Airlines jet mid-flight. Boeing denies there are any safety issues with its planes. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Los Angeles

Column: Jordan Coleman on pace to take his spot among elite sprinters

Sometimes patience is required to experience your moment of ecstasy, and Granada Hills sprinter Jordan Coleman has kept quiet, focused and biding his time while waiting for his opportunity to show he belongs among the elite in track and field this season. He was suffering from leg soreness after completing the indoor season. It forced him to sit out the Arcadia Invitational, something in which he had badly wanted to participate. He could have run but made the decision he wanted to be certain he was healthy to prevent a more serious injury. “It’s kind of difficult to have to watch, but I like to think during the recovering process I will have more motivation and fuel in the tank to have amazing times,” he said several weeks ago. Jordan Coleman is back. He teams with Justin Hart, Kanye Martin and Timothy Wyatt to run relay in 40.29 for Granada Hills. Fast. pic.twitter.com/9J6M7Gvj1o — eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) April 11, 2024 Coleman made his outdoor debut last week in the 4×100 relay during a dual meet against El Camino Real. He and teammates Justin Hart, Timothy

Los Angeles

Indonesia volcano’s days-long eruption forces hundreds to flee

By Li Cohen Updated on: April 17, 2024 / 8:03 AM EDT / CBS News Death toll rises after Marapi volcano erupts Death toll rises after Indonesia’s Marapi volcano erupts 01:38 Hundreds of people in Indonesia had to be evacuated from their homes in the North Sulawesi province as the Ruang volcano continues its days-long eruption. The volcano has been seen filling the sky with red ash as the country’s volcano monitoring agency reports hundreds of deep volcanic earthquakes.  Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure, known as BNPB, said in a news release on Wednesday that volcanic activity has increased, prompting officials to raise the alert level to three – the second-highest warning level in their monitoring system. Video taken by the agency showing massive red bursts filling the sky as lightning flashes within it. The agency also reported “volcanic ash rain.”  At least 828 people were evacuated from the area amid the eruption, BNPB said, many boarded onto ferries to go to nearby areas.  Terjadi Peningkatan Aktivitas Gunung Api Ruang dari Level II (WASPADA) menjadi Level III (SIAGA) di Kabupaten Sitaro, Provinsi Sulawesi Utara.