Category: Bay Area

DEAR ABBY: I usually send special occasion flowers to my wife at work. I was wondering if it could make some co-workers who do not receive flowers from their partner or husband feel neglected and, worse, cause friction between them and my wife. Jeanne Phillips  If you feel this could be a potential problem, I can have the flowers delivered to our home. EXCLUDED IN FLORIDA DEAR EXCLUDED: If receiving flowers at her job has caused any tension in the past, you probably would have heard about it. However, you should ask your wife what she would prefer because she may enjoy the public gesture of husbandly love. Related Articles Dear Abby: I got a new tattoo, and my wife is threatening to leave. Is she justified? Dear Abby: She calls me by a name I’ve never used, and I want my husband to make her stop Dear Abby: I left them off the party list. What can I say to them? Dear Abby: I feel belittled by my estranged wife’s behavior Dear Abby: Why do I go for younger girlfriends? It’s not what that…

OAKLAND — Law enforcement officials with the United States Postal Service asked for residents’ help in solving a series of armed robberies of letter carriers. Outside the main post office Tuesday on Seventh Street in West Oakland, Rafael Nuñez of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s San Francisco division listed two incidents late last year and another pair this month. Around 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2020, three suspects brandished a firearm at a letter carrier in the 6500 block of Tremont Street before taking mail from the rear of his vehicle and driving away in a gold late-1990s model Honda CR-V. Six weeks later, around 6:30 p.m. on December 31, two suspects robbed a letter-carrier at gunpoint in the 9900 block of Bancroft Avenue before fleeing in a sedan. This month’s pair of robberies, around 5:50 p.m. April 4 in the 2500 block of Bartlett Street and 12:30 p.m. April 9 in the 2300 block of East 29th Street, raised the stakes for officials. “The Postal Inspection Service considers the protection of postal employees its No. 1 top priority. Letter carriers must be able to…

SAN FRANCISCO — When analyzing the Giants’ offensive struggles this season on Tuesday afternoon, catcher Buster Posey said the team’s strong performance in 60 games last year was a better indicator of the lineup’s potential than the lackluster output fans saw through 10 games this season. “Sometimes it only takes a game or two to really get everyone going,” Posey said. “Maybe tonight’s that night.” Tuesday was indeed that night. After scoring four runs or fewer in eight straight games, the Giants overcame a 4-0 first inning deficit and powered their way to a 7-6 victory over the Reds at Oracle Park. On a night when the Giants (7-4) hit three big home runs, it was a small-ball approach in the late innings that helped them take control of Tuesday’s game and even their three-game series against Cincinnati. Related Articles What SF Giants catcher Buster Posey is doing differently this season (and why it’s working) SF Giants HQ: One stat that will help the Giants’ clubhouse, a righty reliever shortage and surprising barrel rate SF Giants’ offense a major concern after second shutout loss, attendance…

Only one county, Merced, remained in the lowest of California’s COVID-19 restriction tiers after Tuesday’s reassignments. Four counties improved their status in the April 13 announcement: Moving from purple to red was Inyo County. Moving from red to orange were Lake and Kern counties. Moving from orange to yellow was Lassen County. The looser regulations in those counties will take effect Wednesday. Merced County has been in the purple tier (“widespread” risk) since mid-November. Thirty-three of the 58 counties, with 83% of the population, are in the orange tier (“moderate” risk). Of the Bay Area counties, only Solano hasn’t advanced to that tier. The tier-based system of COVID-19 restrictions is likely to be discontinued on June 15, state officials have said. Click here for the state’s official COVID website, including details of what activities are allowed in the various tiers. Related Articles Warriors welcome fans back to Chase Center: What you need to know J&J COVID vaccine: I got it, should I worry? The problem, explained. Watch: Santa Clara County health officials on vaccine supplies and expanded eligibility, April 13 When to expect stimulus-enhanced child…

Q: Recently you published a letter from a reader who had transplanted to Southern California. He commented on how drivers in that area seemed much more courteous, making the commute flow better. From the mid 1970s on as a commercial driver I always found this to be true. Drivers in SoCal seemed to understand that by preparing in advance, moving over and avoiding sudden lane changes, traffic could generally flow at higher speeds. This was always somewhat disconcerting in my early days as a truck driver when delivering in the L.A. area, as often traffic would be flowing near the limit while bumper to bumper. This has never been the case in the Bay Area, as driver attitudes here seem to have always been “what’s best for me,” rather than how to make the overall commute better for every one. Not understanding that in the end making the commute better for everyone will make the commute better for the individual as well. This means moving over when faster traffic approaches from the rear (even when traveling at the posted limit), planning lane changes in advance…

Niantic usually does something special around Earth Day, and with “Pokemon Go,” the company is doing it again with Sustainability Week. Running from 10 a.m. April 20 to 8 p.m. April 25., the celebration rewards players who take part in the Niantic Sustainability Campaign in the real world. The program works across all Niantic games and has tiered rewards. They are the following: Tier 1 (2,500 activations) — Five-star Raids will appear more often Tier 2 (5,000 activations) — A free bundle containing three Remote Raid passes will be in the shop. Tier 3 (10,000 activations) — A double catch XP bonus will go live. With that said, players have to go out and do something for the environment. That can either be picking up trash, planting a tree or some other green action. They have to record their efforts and post it on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and use the hashtag #SustainableWithNiantic or tag @NianticLabs. Players should post the good deeds between 11 a.m. PDT April 20 and 4:59 p.m. PDT April 23. More detailed directions are available here. With that out of the…

By Amy Forliti, Steve Karnowski and Tammy Webber | Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS — Former Officer Derek Chauvin was justified in pinning George Floyd to the ground because he kept struggling, a use-of-force expert testified for the defense Tuesday, contradicting a parade of authorities from both inside and outside the Minneapolis Police Department. Taking the stand at Chauvin’s murder trial, Barry Brodd, a former Santa Rosa, California, officer, stoutly defended Chauvin’s actions, even as a prosecutor pounded away at the witness, banging the lectern at one point during cross-examination and growing incredulous when Brodd suggested Floyd was struggling because he wasn’t “resting comfortably” on the pavement. “It’s easy to sit and judge … an officer’s conduct,” Brodd testified. “It’s more of a challenge to, again, put yourself in the officer’s shoes to try to make an evaluation through what they’re feeling, what they’re sensing, the fear they have, and then make a determination.” He said he doesn’t believe Chauvin and the other officers used deadly force when they held Floyd down on his stomach, his hands cuffed behind his back and Chauvin’s knee on his neck…

By Makini Brice | Reuters WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden and U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday paid tribute at a ceremony in the Capitol rotunda to the U.S. Capitol Police officer killed when a motorist rammed a car into two police officers and brandished a knife earlier this month. William Evans, an 18-year veteran of the Capitol Police force and father of two young children, died in a hospital after he was struck by the vehicle on April 2. His flag-draped casket sat in the middle of the rotunda surrounded by appropriately spaced rings of attendees, including members of Evans’ family. Biden told them: “You are going to make it by holding each other together,” referencing his own grief after losing members of his own family. “My prayer for all of you is that a day will come when you have that memory that will make you smile. I promise you it will come.” Immediately following the remarks, Biden walked over to members of Evans’ family and gave what appeared to be a large coin or medallion to Evans’ son. A military choral quartet then sang…

Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will address a joint session of Congress for the first time on April 28. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi extended the invite to Biden on Tuesday, “to share your vision for addressing the challenges and opportunities of this historic moment.” The speech will come days before Biden’s 100th day in office, and will provide him an opportunity to update the American public on his progress toward fulfilling his promises. It will also give him a chance to make the case for the $2.3 trillion infrastructure package he unveiled earlier this month, which the House is aiming to pass by July 4. Traditionally all members of Congress and guests gather for a joint session in the House, the larger of the two chambers. However, the address is certain to look different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Social distancing restrictions have been in place during the pandemic that require House lawmakers to conduct floor votes and other business in smaller groups, rather than convening hundreds in the chamber at once. Masks are required and the public visitors…

Stanford president Marc Tessier-Lavigne promised a group of alumni on Tuesday that he would consider its proposal to save 11 sports from being eliminated at the end of the current school year. Jeremy Jacobs of the lobbying group 36 Sports Strong said alumni were encouraged after an hour-long meeting with school administrators and Stanford board of trustees members, including outgoing chairman Jeffrey Raikes. “We believe President Tessier-Lavigne and the board’s athletics subcommittee are trying to lead an earnest effort to review the decision,” Jacobs said. However, Jacobs, a former men’s volleyball player, also said the group told school officials it would continue its lobbying efforts: “We were very clear we’re not going to let up what we’re doing,” he said. A July community letter announcing the cuts led to a backlash in which some of the school’s prominent former athletes signed a petition calling for the reinstatement of the programs. So far, the group said it has more than 4,000 signatures. The group also said more than 1,500 emails have been sent to Stanford leaders expressing outrage and that 200 alums have joined a boycott…

Shooters don’t usually handle touchy subjects. They’re usually bubblegum blockbusters with explosive set pieces and larger-than-life heroes. “Outriders” seems that way on the surface. As the last of the titular troopers, players find themselves as a pioneer on the planet Enoch. Humanity has destroyed Earth and a colony ship has traveled 80 years to the new world, but upon arrival, everything goes wrong for the landing team. A deadly alien storm called the Anomaly wreaks havoc on the settlers. A panicked executive calls in a mass landing too early. During the first expedition, the Anomaly injures the Outrider and the hero is put into cryo. That character wakes up 30 years later and finds the dreams of building a paradise all in ashes. The Anomaly has driven humans to living in protected ravines. Worse yet, the survivors of the botched colonization have been driven to war. The Devastator is a close range class in “Outriders.” It’s a good one to use if you’re playing solo. (Square Enix)  CHOOSE YOUR CLASS But there’s a new weapon on the battlefield. Both sides have been killing each other…

SAN JOSE – A San Jose flooring company owner has been charged with failing to pay nearly $1 million in overtime wages to employees, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office said. Martin Helda, 33, is facing 20 felony counts of workers compensation premium fraud, Employment Development Department fraud and wage theft, prosecutors said in a news release Tuesday. Helda’s arraignment has not yet been scheduled. Prosecutors said the investigation began after an insurance audit found Helda’s payroll did not match the number of people he had working for him at All Bay Area Floors. Helda withheld at least $900,000 in overtime wages owed to employees known to the EDD, but possibly as much as $1.7 million owed to all employees including those not known to the EDD, the district attorney’s office said. “Greedy business owners are banking that cheated employees won’t come forward,” said Deputy District Attorney Vonda Tracey in a statement. “These workers did the work. They are owed the pay.” A message left for Helda at his company was not immediately returned Tuesday evening. Related Articles Suspect sought in South Bay shooting…

When it comes to the CBD market these days there are countless options available, especially when you are shopping online. But just because the options are abundant, does not mean all of the brands or products are as good of a choice as the next. Finding a high-quality product that is safe, affordable and reliable can be made easy when you turn to Real Tested CBD. We conduct independent lab tests to fact check label claims, purity, potency and overall quality, taking the guess work out of your CBD purchase. Based on our tests and expert reviews, we have brands that stick out from the rest. When it comes to the best CBD products available on the market today, we have got you covered. Today we bring you a feature brand that is easily one of our favorites, not only for the quality and care put into each and every one of their products, but also the unique methods of CBD intake they offer. If you are in the market for a high quality CBD brand that delivers on all fronts, we highly recommend Tribe…

Chase Harrell is out of the 49ers’ tight end mix. Again, that is. Harrell, an intriguing prospect last year as an undrafted rookie, got waived Tuesday in what shouldn’t be a totally surprising move. Harrell drew a six-game suspension in October for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. The 6-foot-4 tight end from Arkansas was re-signed to a futures contract in January. Ahead of him on the depth chart were George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner and Daniel Helm. Jordan Reed is a free agent. In Tuesday’s other move, the 49ers announced that Daniel Brunskill signed his one-year tender. He was their starting right guard to open last season before shifting over as a replacement center. He looks to start at guard this season with competition from Colton McKivitz and othersRelated Articles NFL unveils strict vaccine requirements for players, staff; COVID concerns prompt 2 team boycotts Kurtenbach: Four NFL Draft sleepers for the San Francisco 49ers NFL Draft: Extra pro days for Fields, Lance give 49ers shot at ‘future’ quarterback research Hey Dieter: Who are the 49ers going to pick (at No. 43)? What’s the…

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. As end of restrictions nears, use caution As COVID restrictions continue to be lifted, we need to take a moment to stop and think how far Santa Clara County has come since the beginning. We, as a county, did our best to keep our residents safe and even though other places around us opened earlier, Santa Clara stood strong to keep COVID deaths to a low. Recently, the possibilities of music festivals and concerts are becoming more of a reality with vaccines being available to most of the population. Now, we must wait two months, until June 15, before jumping into a gamble of that scale. The people have worked hard to lift the restrictions and we have come so far. The upcoming festivals, such as EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival May 21-May 23 in Las Vegas), put us at risk. Festivals of this caliber can launch us back into a full-blown, nationwide quarantine. I encourage individuals to stay cautious during these times. Joshua Torres San Jose Confluence project would be…

The Warriors will welcome back their faithful — about 6,300 of them — to the Chase Center next Friday for the first time in more than a year. Fans get their first shot at single-game tickets Wednesday morning. They’ll be greeted by an entirely different gameday experience, never mind only having 34 previous ones at Golden State’s billion-dollar crown jewel, before COVID-19 shut down the season last March. It will have been 407 days since fans last entered the Chase Center when the Warriors take the court against the Clippers next week. Now, pods of seats will be spaced throughout both levels of the arena — 35% of its 18,064 capacity — not unlike games hosted outdoors by the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s. What’s different: Fans can only consume concessions in designated areas — not in the arena bowl — and any ticketholder who buys at least seven days in advance will receive a complementary COVID test to self-administer at home. Similar to the Warriors’ neighbors in China Basin, all fans must present proof of vaccination or a negative test administered within 48…

When the Giants take batting practice three hours before a home game at Oracle Park, catcher Buster Posey isn’t a participant. Posey’s not arriving late to the ballpark and isn’t starting games cold, but he now has a different way of preparing for competition that’s designed to keep him fresh and healthy. “I’m waiting a little bit closer to game time to do that (hitting) routine, just down in the cage,” Posey explained. The reasoning? Warm up once, so that when Posey begins preparing for a game, he never cools off. “My goal is to try to get hot, meaning get loose, just one time,” Posey said. “And not necessarily stretch at 4:15 or 4:30 and then hit and then cool down. So I’d say that’s probably the biggest difference for me this year to years past is to try to time out my preparation and schedule.” Related Articles SF Giants HQ: One stat that will help the Giants’ clubhouse, a righty reliever shortage and surprising barrel rate SF Giants’ offense a major concern after second shutout loss, attendance dips under 4,000 SF Giants’ early…

Support our high school sports coverage: Our current offer is three months for 99 cents (total). Cancel anytime. Here are the sign-up links: Mercury News or East Bay Times. Bay Area News Group Top 15 (Mercury News & East Bay Times) Records through Monday, April 12 No. 1 De La Salle (6-1) Last week’s ranking: 2 Past week’s results: Beat Amador Valley 7-5, Folsom 4-3, Northgate 11-7. Who’s hot: Blake Burke and Alec Nava each had two hits and scored a run in the victory at Folsom. What’s next: Wednesday at Dublin No. 2 Los Gatos (1-0) Last week’s ranking: 8 Past week’s results: Beat Valley Christian 13-3 Who’s hot: Tommy Splaine pitched all seven innings and homered, doubled and knocked in three runs in the win over Valley. What’s next: Today at St. Francis No. 3 Valley Christian (5-1) Last week’s ranking: 1 Past week’s results: Beat Leigh 11-0, Leland, 11-1, Willow Glen 11-1, lost to Los Gatos 13-3. Who’s hot: Jeff Heard doubled, tripled, drove in three runs and scored twice in the win over Willow Glen. What’s next: Thursday vs. Gilroy No.…