Category: Bay Area

EL CERRITO — Investigators here are asking for help to identify a person of interest in a sexual battery of a sight and hearing impaired woman walking on a street, authorities said. The confrontation happened about 3:30 p.m. Nov. 13. In a news release, El Cerrito police said the victim, a sight and hearing impaired woman, was walking on Stockton Avenue near Elm Street using a red and white mobility cane, when a man approached and slapped her buttock before running off. The victim was able to describe the man as a male, tall, thin to medium build, wearing a gray or white top, dark bottoms and white shoes, the release said. Officers obtained video surveillance recordings of a man fitting that description following the woman on Stockton Avenue just prior to the crime and have publicly released an image of the man. Police are asking anyone who knows the person or who has any information that might help in the investigation to contact investigators. Police are also asking residents in the area of Stockton Avenue and Elm Street to view their own video surveillance

By Mead Gruver | Associated Press CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A state judge on Monday struck down Wyoming’s overall ban on abortion and its first-in-the-nation explicit prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy in line with voters in yet more states voicing support for abortion rights. Since 2022, Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens has ruled consistently three times to block the laws while they were disputed in court. The decision marks another victory for abortion rights advocates after voters in seven states passed measures in support of access. One Wyoming law that Owens said violated women’s rights under the state constitution bans abortion except to protect to a pregnant woman’s life or in cases involving rape and incest. The other made Wyoming the only state to explicitly ban abortion pills, though other states have instituted de facto bans on the medication by broadly prohibiting abortion. The laws were challenged by four women, including two obstetricians, and two nonprofit organizations. One of the groups, Wellspring Health Access, opened as the state’s first full-service abortion clinic in years in April 2023 following an arson attack

Which travel duffel bags are best? Whether you’re headed to the gym or the airport, a quality duffel bag can make packing and traveling so much simpler. From sports equipment to clothing, these spacious and versatile bags have you covered. But with so many variations in both materials and designs, knowing which duffel bag is right for you can be tough. That’s why we’ve broken down everything you need to know in our shopping guide below. We’ve even added some bag recommendations at the end, including our top pick, the versatile Adidas Team Issue 2 Duffel Bag, which includes plenty of pockets to stash your gear in. What to considerations before choosing a duffel bag Size Duffel bags are available in a variety of sizes with interior capacities ranging from about 25-75 liters. A smaller duffel bag may be used as a gym bag, carry-on luggage, or just a simple everyday bag for work and school. Large duffel bags, on the other hand, are ideal when packing for long vacations or transporting team sports equipment. Durability Having a zipper that always gets stuck or cheap material that wears

Matt Vasilogambros | (TNS) Stateline.org Voters in several states this month delivered a stinging rebuke to ranked choice voting, clouding the future of an idea that had seen strong momentum in recent years. Ranked choice voting, which allows voters to rank political candidates by preference, is used statewide in Alaska and Maine and in major U.S. localities such as New York City and San Francisco. But voters in Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Oregon rejected ballot measures that would have adopted ranked choice voting for packed races. In Missouri, voters approved a ballot measure banning the approach statewide and locally, except for a grandfather clause for St. Louis municipal elections. Results are still too close to call on a measure to scrap Alaska’s existing use of ranked choice voting. With 94% of results reported, the measure was up by about 2,400 votes. “Voters this year were reluctant to make dramatic changes to the way they vote,” said Chandler James, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Oregon. “But I don’t think that it spells the end for ranked choice voting in the future.”

By JOSH BOAK and FATIMA HUSSEIN WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s decision on a treasury secretary is about far more than whose name will be printed on America’s money. The choice of how to fill his highest-profile outstanding Cabinet selection will be the clearest indication yet of how he intends to wield import tariffs in his new administration. The leading candidates for the role have expressed differing perspectives on how Trump should use the protectionist trade policies that he put front and center in his campaign for the White House, while Trump himself has offered seemingly contradictory views. Billionaire investor Scott Bessent, considered a leading candidate, has talked up tariffs as a negotiating ploy. Another prominent contender, Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, has expressed more support for broad tariffs. Lutnick is co-chair of Trump’s transition operation and is helping put forward candidates for key roles, including the Treasury Department. Trump is also looking at other potential candidates as he decides who can best implement his economic agenda — and how big a role tariffs will play. The president-elect, during this year’s campaign, portrayed the

Jon Healey | (TNS) Los Angeles Times President-elect Donald Trump’s victory should bring some clarity to Americans with student loans, but probably not in the way they’d hoped. A flurry of Biden administration initiatives and court rulings against them have left millions of borrowers uncertain about their future payments. Many federal student loans, in fact, are stuck in a period of limbo with no monthly payments because the company servicing them can’t determine what the payments should be. Trump has made his dislike for student debt relief clear, saying it’s unfair to borrowers and taxpayers who pay their debts in full. Further stirring uncertainty, Trump has said he’d like to eliminate the Department of Education — which oversees student loan policies — a goal shared by many Republicans. The bottom line is that Biden administration efforts to ease debt burdens are likely to be swept away in short order. President Biden managed to forgive an enormous amount of debt for a huge number of borrowers during his term — about $175 billion in relief for nearly 5 million borrowers. But the pendulum is about to

UNION CITY — A local resident has been charged with raping a woman inside his home, a crime that police say was only discovered after the victim sent a coded text to her sister. Ricardo Tijero, 38, of Union City, has been charged with rape and forcible oral copulation, and is being held at Santa Rita Jail in lieu of $220,000 bail, court records show. Tijero denied the allegations, claiming that he met the alleged victim on a prostitution site and that she refused to leave his home, authorities said. The woman confirmed to police that Tijero reached out to her on a sex worker website and offered her $1,000 to come to his home for several hours. But once she got there, he revealed he didn’t have the money and allegedly choked her to the point of unconsciousness when she said she wanted to leave, according to police. When she regained consciousness, Tijero allegedly sexually assaulted her. At some point, the woman was able to text her sister, but sneaked an alert through the text; she allegedly texted about her son but deliberately used

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Sean Duffy to become transportation secretary in his new administration, positioning him to oversee a complex system that includes pipelines, railroads, cars, trucks, airlines and mass transit systems, as well as funding for highways. Here are some things to know about Duffy. He is a former member of Congress Duffy, 53, is an attorney who represented Wisconsin in the House for nine years after he was elected as part of the tea party wave in 2010. He served from 2011 to 2019, when he resigned, citing a need to care for his large family. In the House, Duffy was a member of the House Financial Services Committee and chairman of its subcommittee on housing and insurance. Duffy is the second Fox-affiliated host to be tapped by Trump Duffy joined Fox News as a contributor in 2020 and has been one of Trump’s most visible defenders on cable news, a prime concern for the media-focused president-elect. He served as co-host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business until leaving the network Monday. Trump announced last

Nov. 16 STOLEN VEHICLE: 11:42 a.m. at Wedgewood Avenue and Wimbledon Drive. Someone found a vehicle crashed and dumped between the tracks and the Highway 85 soundwall. PETTY THEFT: 6:26 p.m. at Safeway on Union Avenue. Three juveniles stole alcohol and ran out of the parking lot. Nov. 14 PETTY THEFT: 3:40 p.m. on North Santa Cruz Avenue. A caller reported that their front license plate had been stolen. Nov. 12 PETTY THEFT: 12:45 a.m. at Knowles and Capri drives. A caller reported that their purse, wallet, phone and ID were stolen while they were at a bus stop. PETTY THEFT: 1:10 p.m. on North Santa Cruz Avenue. $950 or less of cosmetics were stolen. Nov. 11 SUSPICIOUS PERSON: 3:21 a.m. at The Bywater on North Santa Cruz Avenue. A caller reported seeing two people “climbing into storage” at the bar in the restaurant. SUSPICIOUS PERSON: 12:59 p.m. at Safeway on North Santa Cruz Avenue. A man was reportedly loitering in the store, refusing to leave. He took a Starbucks cup and went to the restroom for 25 minutes, a caller told police.

A rich, assertive balsamic vinaigrette coats this medley of roasted delicata squash, peppery arugula and quinoa. (Courtesy Lynda Balslev for Tastefood) By Lynda Balslev, Columnist | Columnist PUBLISHED: November 19, 2024 at 6:30 AM PST A rich balsamic vinaigrette and a sprinkling of pepitas and dried cranberries add the perfect finishing touch to this hearty, autumnal salad. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.

SUBSCRIBER ONLY Greek restaurant Elia opens in San Carlos The seasonal, high-end taverna debuts on the Peninsula. The bar at Elia serves craft cocktails and sangria. Look for drinks like the Aphrodite ($18), made with gin, violet liqueur, lime and strawberry syrup and egg white, or the Fire of Olympus ($17), featuring tequila, lime, Cointreau, berry reduction and fire water bitters. (Courtesy Faith Ulas) Elia, an elegant Greek restaurant serving dishes like grilled octopus, seabass and lamb chops, opened its third location last month in San Carlos, representing the restaurant’s expansion to the Peninsula. 

Police say a 63-year-old Vallejo man, arrested by police Sunday for stabbing his wife, spontaneously confessed to killing his biological mother Saturday morning. On Saturday at approximately 8:43 a.m. Vallejo police responded to a report of a stabbing on the 900 block of Sereno Drive. Upon arriving officers learned that a local hospital was treating an adult male and female in critical condition suffering from a stab wound. Preliminary investigation revealed that the male, identified as Frank James McMillan of Vallejo, allegedly stabbed his wife at least once before causing a self-inflicted stab wound to himself. Both the female victim and McMillan were admitted to the hospital for surgery and are expected to survive their injuries. Following McMillan’s surgery, he confessed to killing his biological mother at a residence on the 100 block of Campbell Avenue prior to the Sereno Drive incident. Patrol officers conducted a welfare check at the Campbell Avenue residence and upon entry, officers discovered McMillian’s biological mother deceased inside. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin by the Solano County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office. McMillan

By Kenya Hunter | The Associated Press The majority of strokes could be prevented, according to new guidelines aimed at helping people and their doctors do just that. Stroke was the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than half a million Americans have a stroke every year. But up to 80% of strokes may be preventable with better nutrition, exercise and identification of risk factors. The first new guidelines on stroke prevention in 10 years from the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, include recommendations for people and doctors that reflect a better understanding of who gets strokes and why, along with new drugs that can help reduce risk. The good news is that the best way to reduce your risk for stroke is also the best way to reduce your risk for a whole host of health problems — eat a healthy diet, move your body and don’t smoke. The bad news is that it’s not always so easy to sustain. Dr. Sean Duke, a

TODAY’S WORD — LINTER LINTER: LIN-tur: A machine for removing the fuzz of short fibers. Average mark 19 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 25 or more words in LINTER? The list will be published tomorrow. YESTERDAY’S WORD — TRUISTIC: titi trust rictus rust rustic uric ictus iris scut stir strict strut suit citrus crust curt cutis To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last! RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com. Originally Published: November 19, 2024 at 3:00 AM PST

Dear Eric: My husband and I have just returned from a driving trip in the Southwest. Several days ago, my husband was standing in a fast-food line when another man started a conversation with him. When the man asked, “Where is home for you?” my husband responded, “Los Angeles.” The other man said, “I’m so sorry for you.” This is not the first time we have received a negative reaction to our hometown. I have been seething ever since this happened and can’t get it out of my mind. We have lived in a number of places during our 50-year marriage, and we choose to live in the Los Angeles area because we love it. There are many places that I would not want to live but I would never mention that if I was in a conversation with a person from one of those places. How did our nation become so rude and who thinks it is all right to insult someone’s home? Please advise me on a polite response to this situation should it come up again (it will). – Loving L.A. Dear

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 20-year-old daughter recently got her cosmetology license and has started working at a salon. She’s excited about her new job and the independence it brings, but now she’s telling me she wants to move out and get her own apartment. She says she’s ready for the next step and wants her own space to feel more “grown-up.” The problem is, I’m not convinced she’s fully prepared for everything that comes with living on her own. While she’s making decent money, she hasn’t been at her job long, and she hasn’t saved up much yet. I worry she’s underestimating the expenses involved and may struggle to keep up with bills, rent and other unexpected costs. Plus, I’m concerned that, with the way the job market is, she might need more of a financial cushion if anything were to go wrong. I know part of me just isn’t ready to let go, but I’m genuinely concerned that she’s moving too quickly. I want to support her dreams, but I don’t want her to jump into something she might not be ready for. How can

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was in a restaurant and the waiter, unasked, brought extra napkins. I became very self-conscious, thinking I must be making a mess. I checked my mirror and, as far as I could tell, everything was fine, but I still felt embarrassed. Sometimes I do need extra napkins, but I prefer to ask for them myself. On the other hand, I appreciate when a waiter refills my water without waiting to be asked, so I wouldn’t want to discourage their being alert and helpful. What is your take? GENTLE READER: That you embarrass much too easily. DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year for about 25 people. Most are traveling in from out of town. I have expressed that people do not need to bring anything, and I mean it. I’ve gotten negative reactions from people who say I’m not being helpful. Is part of being a good host providing ideas for what everyone can bring? There are only so many things you can bring to Thanksgiving dinner that you can also bring on a plane (i.e., maybe a box

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Adam Driver, 41; Jodie Foster, 62; Allison Janney, 65; Ann Curry, 68. Happy Birthday: It’s okay to step outside your comfort zone this year and learn something new to help you better grasp what’s next or how to proceed more meaningfully. Communication is your ticket forward. Once you understand the concepts behind your choices, this knowledge will point you in the right direction. Push discord aside and put your energy where it promises the highest return. Educate, formulate and act. Your numbers are 6, 14, 20, 27, 34, 37, 42. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Travel about and explore places nearby that offer something of interest. Communicate with locals, and the information you receive will provide insight into something that encourages you to socialize or reconnect with old, familiar faces. Set a budget before you venture into something that has hidden costs. 2 stars TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take pride in what you do. Replace whatever you don’t like with something you do. A critical look at yourself and your life will encourage you to revamp your current lifestyle, look or

UNION CITY – A BART police officer shot a person Monday night at the Union City station, according to authorities. The shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the station, located at 10 Union Square, BART said in a news release. The person was taken to a hospital and their condition was not immediately known. Police closed the station for an investigation into the shooting. BART’s Office of the Independent Police Auditor was notified about the shooting and went to the scene to conduct its own investigation, according to the transit agency. Additional details about the shooting were not immediately available late Monday. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Originally Published: November 19, 2024 at 12:03 AM PST

SAN JOSE – A pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run crash Monday night in San Jose, police said. The fatal crash was reported around 8:45 p.m. at the intersection of Bird and Coe avenues, the San Jose Police Department said in a social media post. The victim – identified only as a man – was taken to an area hospital, where he died, police said. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will release his identity after it is confirmed and his next of kin is notified. Additional details about the case were not immediately available Monday evening. Northbound Bird Avenue from Coe Avenue to Fuller Avenue will be shut down for a “significant amount of time” while officers investigate the crash, according to police. Check back for updates.

ANTIOCH – A 27-year-old man was injured in back-to-back shootings Monday in Antioch, authorities said. The first shooting happened around 3:25 p.m. near Spanos Street and Mahogany Way, Antioch police Lt. Joe Njoroge said in a news release. Two to three suspects in a vehicle opened fire on two victims inside another vehicle. The victims – identified as a 35-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man – were not injured in the shooting. The second shooting was reported minutes later in the 1000 block of Sycamore Drive. Officers did not find any victims at the scene, but they soon received word a man had arrived at an area hospital with gunshot wounds, Njoroge said. The victim was in stable condition and expected to survive. Njoroge said officers determined the two shootings were related. Authorities on Monday did not announce any arrests in the case or release a description of the suspects. Anyone with information related to the case can contact the police department at tips@antiochca.gov. Check back for updates.