Category: Bay Area

DUBLIN – A pair of earthquakes rattled the East Bay on Monday night, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The first quake – a magnitude 3.9 – hit at 7:46 p.m. about 2.9 miles west-northwest of Dublin. A magnitude 2.9 quake then hit at 8:19 p.m. about 1.8 miles southeast of Pleasant Hill. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. BART reduced train speeds while tracks were inspected for damage, resulting in system-wide delays of up to 20 minutes. Normal service resumed around 8:50 p.m. The first of the two earthquakes was initially reported as a magnitude 4.2, but the USGS later downgraded it to a 4.0 and then to a 3.9. The USGS said the 3.9 quake was felt as far away as Modesto, Monterey and the Sierra Nevada foothills. Check back for updates. Originally Published: March 17, 2025 at 8:05 PM PDT

OAKLAND – A person was killed in a shooting Monday afternoon in East Oakland, police said. The shooting was reported just after 4:15 p.m. in the 1400 block of 100th Avenue, according to the Oakland Police Department. Officers arrived to find a victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead, police said. Authorities did not publicly identify the victim or announce any arrests in the case Monday. An investigation is underway into the fatal shooting. The killing is the 22nd homicide investigated by Oakland police this year. At this time last year, police had investigated 16 homicides. Anyone with information related to the case can contact the police department’s homicide section at 510-238-3821 or the tip line at 510-238-7950. Videos and photos can be emailed to cidvideo@oaklandca.gov. Oakland police investigate a fatal shooting in the 1400 block of 100th Avenue near International Boulevard in East Oakland, Calif., on Monday, March 17, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)  Oakland police investigate a fatal shooting in the 1400 block of 100th Avenue near International Boulevard in East

DUBLIN – A magnitude 3.9 earthquake rattled the East Bay on Monday night, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake hit at 7:46 p.m. about 2.9 miles west of Dublin and at a depth of about 6.8 miles, the USGS reported. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. BART announced its trains will run at reduced speed while tracks are inspected for damage. Residual delays of up to 20 minutes are expected throughout the system. The earthquake was initially reported as a magnitude 4.2 but later downgraded to 4.0 and then to 3.9. The USGS said the quake was felt as far away as San Francisco, Santa Clara and Pleasant Hill. Check back for updates. Originally Published: March 17, 2025 at 8:05 PM PDT

By Terry Hacienda, The Fresh Toast While consumer use soars, mom and pop businesses are struggling, a shutdown will be be another blow to the marijuana industry A vast majority of the public and most leading medical institutions support better access to legal cannabis, but a few in DC are against the plant and the thousands of mom and pop businesses in the industry. Now, at the potential government shut down another gut punch to cannabis industry. Rescheduling would not only provide a path for increase research and patient care from medical marijuana, but would allow the mom and pop businesses which make up the bulk of the industry to have the same tax benefits as nail salons, car repair shops, and local restaurants. It would also allow a great ease of doing business which would help business owners and consumers alike. The potential government shutdown could significantly impact the ongoing process of marijuana rescheduling, which has been a major focus of the Biden administration since 2022. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is currently considering rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, a move

Israeli forces launched a large-scale strike across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, in what appeared to be the first major attack on the territory since Israel’s ceasefire with Hamas began roughly two months ago. The Israel Defense Forces said on Telegram just before 2:30 a.m. local time that it and the Israeli Security Agency were “conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip.” The attack was ordered by Israel’s political leadership, it said. Shortly afterward, Hamas said in a statement that the Israeli government had “resumed their aggression” in the Gaza Strip. It was unclear whether the strikes effectively ended the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that took effect in mid-January. The office of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said in a statement that he and the defense minister, Israel Katz, had instructed the military to act, citing “repeated refusal” by Hamas “to release our hostages” and saying the militants had rejected all proposals from Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy to the Middle East, and other mediators. “Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas

PALO ALTO – The Palo Alto flood basin is set to be sprayed later this week for an aggressive species of mosquito known to travel up to 20 miles in search of a “blood meal,” officials said. Beginning around 7:30 a.m. Thursday, the Santa Clara County Vector Control District plans to use a helicopter to treat the area with naturally occurring microbes and a hormone regulator that prevents immature winter salt marsh mosquitoes from developing into adults. The operation is expected to take a few hours to complete. The insects – also known as aedes squamiger – are “opportunistic feeders and aggressive biters,” according to the district. District Manager Dr. Nayer Zahiri said her agency regularly inspects the area and has done treatments by hand, but recent rains have created pockets of water that cannot be reached by foot. “If we don’t act soon, the mosquito larvae in the marsh will mature into biting adult mosquitoes.” Zahiri said. The operation, she added, will significantly reduce the mosquito population and prevent adults from venturing into neighboring communities. According to the district, the microbes and hormone regulators

If you’re a foodie attending the Nvidia conference this week, you’re in luck. San Jose, with its population of nearly a million, is home to such culinary centers as the Mexican-heritage East Side, Little Saigon, Japantown, Little Portugal, Little Italy and more. And there are examples of all of these cuisines, and more, within walking distance of the convention center and downtown hotels — or a short ride-share away. (Note that many downtown restaurants are hosting full-buyout Nvidia events, so call first or just head to the next nearby restaurant.) Here are spots to check out in the greater downtown: SoFA MARKET: Many global cuisines are represented at this food hall (387 S. First St.) conveniently located near the San Jose Convention Center. You’ll find Desi Express, Vietnoms, 3 Hermanos Mexican Grill, Habana Cuba, Umi Handroll, Pizza Way, Salad Planet and the newest here, JapaCurry. MEXICAN: Among the top full-service restaurants with cocktails in the downtown area are Angelou’s (78 S. First St.), Mezcal (25 W. San Fernando St.) and farther afield, Acopio (399 S. 24th St.). But you can’t leave San Jose without trying

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. Loren Taylor is best qualified for mayor I am writing to urge my fellow residents of Oakland to vote for Loren Taylor in the upcoming election. Loren has the professional experience, qualifications and, most crucially, familiarity with our city and its strengths and weaknesses, making him the best-qualified candidate. Barbara Lee has served her constituents well, and I have always voted for her. However, the experience of serving in Washington is not the experience that prepares a candidate for the rigors of running Oakland. The office of Oakland’s mayor demands an intimate knowledge of day-to-day issues, problems, people and potholes — Loren Taylor has that knowledge; Barbara Lee does not. We cannot treat the office of mayor as a final reward to Barbara Lee, however grateful we are for her long years of service — our challenges are too serious. We will be in the right hands with Loren Taylor as mayor. Kate Freeland Oakland Lee will prioritize Oakland public safety As an Oakland parent and resident, one of the

ANTIOCH — A former Antioch police officer whose criminal conspiracy trial recently came to an abrupt and inconsequential end is suing his former department alleging retaliation by higher-ups. Devon Wenger filed a lawsuit in Contra Costa Superior Court against the Antioch Police Department, alleging retaliation and harassment by higher ups, resulting in “emotional distress” and even the pending criminal cases against him. The suit was filed on Feb. 28, just three days before Wenger went to trial facing charges of conspiracy and deprivation of civil rights, and just four days before a judge declared a mistrial. The lawsuit centers on issues Wenger has raised in criminal court, where he faces charges in one case of illegally shooting a man with a less-lethal projectile, and another case alleging he distributed illegal steroids. Wenger has long maintained both cases are the result of retaliation after he spoke up against people within the scandal-ridden department. “The fact that (Wenger) was dragged into this joint investigation is retaliation for, ironically, daring to speak up about illegal discrimination and harassment at the APD,” the suit says. The city of Antioch

6610 Ivy Lane – Google Street View A house located in the 6600 block of Ivy Lane in San Jose has a new owner. The 1,642-square-foot property, built in 1957, was sold on Feb. 19, 2025, for $2,350,000, or $1,431 per square foot. This is a single-story house. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. In addition, the house features carport (unspecified). The property encompasses a generous 8,470 square feet of land. Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby: On Ivy Lane, San Jose, in December 2024, a 3,396-square-foot home was sold for $3,700,000, a price per square foot of $1,090. The home has 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. In September 2022, a 2,590-square-foot home on Prospect Road in San Jose sold for $3,450,000, a price per square foot of $1,332. The home has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. A 1,300-square-foot home on the 1500 block of Bonnie Joy Avenue in San Jose sold in March 2024, for $3,200,000, a price per square foot of $2,462. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This article was generated by the Bay Area

Santa Clara Valley Including San Jose, Eastern Santa Clara Hills and East Bay Hills are under an updated weather alert for strong thunderstorms by the National Weather Service on Monday at 12:22 p.m. The alert is in effect until 12:45 p.m. Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) are foreseen. “At 12:22 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near East Foothills, or 6 miles east of Milpitas, moving east at 25 mph,” according to the NWS San Francisco CA. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.” Locations impacted by the alert include San Jose, Fremont, Milpitas, East Foothills, Alum Rock and Sunol. According to the NWS, “Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening weather conditions. Storms will be capable of producing large quantities of accumulating hail. This may result in slick and hazardous driving conditions. Slow down and use caution if driving.” Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority

OAKLAND — The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office recently filed charges in a 2024 shooting outside the house of a likely FBI informant in the sprawling public corruption scandal that led to the indictment earlier this year of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. County prosecutors charged Hermelindo Olber Ramosramos, 25, in the June 9 shooting at the East Oakland house of longtime political operative Mario Juarez. A two-time council candidate, Juarez is the likely unindicted “Co-Conspirator 1″ in the alleged bribery and pay-to-play scandal that federal authorities unmasked in January when they charged Thao, her partner, Andre Jones, and David and Andy Duong, the father-and-son owners of California Waste Solutions with conspiracy and other federal offenses. Ramosramos faces felony charges of shooting at an inhabited dwelling and shooting at an unoccupied vehicle. He was arrested last December, but not charged until last Friday, after several media outlets published articles and videos about the months-old arrest. Ramosramos has a pending misdemeanor theft and battery case in Santa Clara County, but failed to show up at an early court appearance, according to prosecutors there. In that case, the

6528 Skyfarm Drive – Google Street View The spacious property located in the 6500 block of Skyfarm Drive in San Jose was sold on Feb. 19, 2025 for $2,512,000, or $1,234 per square foot. The house, built in 1978, has an interior space of 2,035 square feet. This is a two-story house. Inside, a fireplace adds character to the home. The property is equipped with 236 heating and 103 cooling. Additionally, the house comes with type not specified. The property occupies a sizable 7,700-square-foot lot. Additional houses have recently been sold nearby: A 1,986-square-foot home on the 6500 block of Springpath Lane in San Jose sold in September 2024, for $2,047,000, a price per square foot of $1,031. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. On Springpath Lane, San Jose, in July 2023, a 2,594-square-foot home was sold for $2,138,000, a price per square foot of $824. The home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. In October 2022, a 2,035-square-foot home on Circle Hill Drive in San Jose sold for $2,125,000, a price per square foot of $1,044. The home has 4 bedrooms and

By Eraine Wessler, TravelPulse The Eurail Global Pass remains one of the most convenient ways to explore Europe, connecting scenic routes and iconic cities across the continent. Now, European rail travel is even more affordable with Rail Europe’s recently launched sale offering 15% off all Eurail Global Passes. For more than 60 years, Eurail passes have been one of the essential components for non-European travelers exploring the continent. The Global Pass provides access to reliable train networks spanning 33 countries and includes exclusive perks for passholders, making it ideal for those wanting to see multiple destinations without the hassle of booking individual tickets. Travelers can choose between two Eurail Global Pass options: Consecutive Pass — For continuous travel on consecutive days Flexible Pass — For split travel days based on itinerary Whichever option you choose, this versatile pass eliminates the need to manage multiple tickets, offering seamless connections between countries — ideal for multi-destination European journeys. Visiting just one country? Rail Europe’s One Country Passes provide unlimited train travel within a single European nation for a set number of days. These passes grant access to

The filmmakers behind the new PBS docu-series “The Class,” which debuts on PBS this week, originally intended to tag along with popular college advisor “Mr. Cam” — aka Cameron Schmidt-Temple — around Antioch’s Deer Valley High School so they could catalogue his interactions with students strategizing about their futures. The inspirational Oakland native knows the Deer Valley High School turf ever so well since he graduated from there and was a former Wolverines basketball player. It’s his relatable  background that partially contributes to why students respect him and like him so. But when COVID-19 struck and lessons switched from in-person to Zoom format, everything changed. “As things were shutting down and students lost their junior year, we thought, man, this is a really timely moment to film a year in the life of an advisor,” said Jaye Fenderson, who directed and executive produced the film with her husband Adam. But what the award-winning filmmaking team imagined might be a temporary shutdown trudged on into an interminably long haul. It created upheaval. For both sides. “Our system was not built to go into distance learning,” sums

A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Monday at 11:01 a.m. for strong thunderstorms in effect until 11:30 a.m. for East Bay Interior Valleys. The storms are packing pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph. “At 11:01 a.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm over El Sobrante, or over El Cerrito, moving northeast at 35 mph,” states the NWS San Francisco CA. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.” Locations impacted by the alert include Richmond, Mountain View, Martinez, San Pablo, Hercules, Pinole, Rodeo, El Sobrante, Port Costa, Tara Hills, Rollingwood, Crockett, East Richmond Heights, Bayview-Montalvin and Vine Hill. The NWS said, “Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening weather conditions. Storms will be capable of producing large quantities of accumulating hail. This may result in slick and hazardous driving conditions. Slow down and use caution if driving.” Lightning on the horizon: Expert safety measures for thunderstorms Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of

San Francisco Bay Shoreline and San Francisco Peninsula Coast are under an updated weather alert for strong thunderstorms by the National Weather Service on Monday at 10:58 a.m. The alert is in effect until 11:15 a.m. The storms could bring pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph. “At 10:58 a.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Millbrae, moving northeast at 25 mph,” according to the NWS San Francisco CA. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.” Locations impacted by the alert include San Mateo, Pacifica, Burlingame, Millbrae, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, El Granada and Montara. According to the NWS, “Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening weather conditions. Storms will be capable of producing large quantities of accumulating hail. This may result in slick and hazardous driving conditions. Slow down and use caution if driving.” Preparing for approaching lightning: Expert safety advice Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer

Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic, an independent journalism training program for high school students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists. When you’ve gotta go, you’ve gotta go. But for some high school students, that’s becoming an increasing challenge, as administrators try to prevent restrooms from being refuges for vaping, drug use, littering and loitering. Del Mar High School in San Jose has about 1,300 students, but during class time for most of the school year it had only three bathrooms available: one designated for girls with two stalls, one for boys, and one that’s gender-neutral. Because of long lines at recess and during breaks, most students ask permission to use bathrooms during class time. School policy dictates that students with a bathroom pass must get there, take care of business and be back in five minutes. Recently a boys bathroom that was closed since Dec. 3 has been opened during break and lunch but remains closed during class. In the girls bathroom, the school repaired three toilets, to make five — instead of just two — stalls

By DAR YASIN and AIJAZ HUSSAIN SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Farooq Ahmad Shaksaaz presses a button on his 1970 Sharp cassette player, and with a hefty clack the machine whirrs to life. As the Kashmiri tailor stitches, the machine crackles for a moment before Ghulam Ahmad Sofi’s otherworldly voice fills his shop with verses about divine love and the pain of separation from the beloved creator of the universe. Shaksaaz, a tailor in the Kashmiri city of Srinagar, inherited his passion for local Sufi music from his grandfather along with a meticulously preserved collection of audio cassette tapes from the 1970s, which he often listens to as he works. He’s part of a small, dedicated community that believes cassette tapes are the best way to listen to and archive the Sufi music of Indian-controlled Kashmir, where music inspired by local and central Asian Muslim saints has long been a deep expression of spirituality and emotion. Many people turn to the music for spiritual guidance, or seeking an escape from the region’s long periods of street battles, shutdowns and security clampdowns. For decades, cassette players have

25 Shawnee Court – Google Street View A spacious house located in the first block of Shawnee Court in Oakland has a new owner. The 3,313-square-foot property, built in 1964, was sold on Jan. 6, 2025, for $2,600,000, or $785 per square foot. This is a single-story house. The property encompasses a generous 0.3-acre of land. Additional houses that have recently changed hands close by include: In February 2024, a 2,706-square-foot home on Tartan Way in Oakland sold for $1,850,000, a price per square foot of $684. The home has 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. A 2,891-square-foot home on the 5700 block of Balmoral Drive in Oakland sold in November 2022, for $1,909,000, a price per square foot of $660. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. On Balmoral Drive, Oakland, in June 2024, a 3,969-square-foot home was sold for $2,020,000, a price per square foot of $509. The home has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created

By Jon Wilner | jwilner@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: March 17, 2025 at 8:45 AM PDT The previous version of the Pac-12 was a mediocre basketball conference, perhaps not even as strong and the next edition. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.