Category: Bay Area

By Janie McCauley The Associated Press STANFORD — Maxime Raynaud sprinted across the court and in practically no time had triumphantly picked up a 6-year-old boy named Henry and heaved the young fan onto his shoulders before running through Maples Pavilion with an arm in the air and mouth agape. Equally startled and overjoyed, the first-grader suddenly had an even better view of Stanford’s celebration alongside the 7-foot-1 Raynaud and his teammates after the Cardinal held off N.C. State for a recent 74-73 win. Henry brought quite the story back to school that Monday, too. “I’ll tell them I’m famous, and I went to a Stanford game, a basketball game in college and my favorite player at Stanford, I got to meet him and he scooped me up and we won and he put me on his shoulders,” the boy said. “I thought it was kind of fun. I thought he was going to make me high-five the other team.” A lifetime memory, for sure. And to think that Raynaud might have walked away from Stanford and started fresh somewhere else for his senior season.

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. Oakland leaders must address antisemitism Re: “Oakland leaders are ignoring the city’s antisemitism problem” (Page A8, March 9). Oakland’s failure to address anti-Jewish hate and discrimination negatively impacts Jews across the Bay Area who appreciate and enjoy the city but no longer feel safe and welcomed there due to relentless hate crimes. Violent incitement against Jews, attacks on Jewish religious ritual objects like the Chabad menorah, destruction of Jewish communal buildings, racist hate speech and conspiracy theories targeting Jews, and exclusion of Jews from the promise of safety, equality, diversity and inclusion are deeply disturbing and lead to marginalization and dangerous devaluation and dehumanization. We need Oakland civil society and city government to speak up, show up and act in solidarity and allyship affirming human rights and human dignity, respect for civil rights for Jews alongside all Oakland residents, and an Oakland and Bay Area free of hate that is welcoming to all without exception. I miss the Oakland I once knew, where I was welcomed and included. Noam Schimmel

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. Homeless must obey the law as others do Re: “Shelter refusal may be a crime” (Page A1, March 7). Mayor Matt Mahan is right on the mark regarding our homeless crisis. How should we address the homeless people who decline shelter? Many are drug addicts and are unwilling to accept any version of shelter that requires sobriety. Instead, they prefer the squalor of the encampments, where they are free to ingest illegal substances, generate huge amounts of trash, pollute our waterways and commit property crimes. With no legal deterrence in place, the homeless will continue wreaking havoc in San Jose. Mahan clearly understands the situation and wants to crack down. Our biggest challenge is not lack of affordable housing or even free housing. It’s the incorrigible drug addicts who couldn’t care less about the financial, ecological and social burden they impose upon hard-working, taxpaying citizens. It’s time to enforce our laws and eliminate encampments. Dave Salle San Jose Bill is a good step toward cutting red tape Re: “State leaders

15076 Bel Escou Drive – Google Street View The property located in the 15000 block of Bel Escou Drive in San Jose was sold on Feb. 18, 2025. The $2,220,000 purchase price works out to $1,462 per square foot. The house, built in 1955, has an interior space of 1,518 square feet. This is a single-story house. Inside, there is a fireplace. In addition, the home features type not specified. The lot of the property covers a substantial area of 8,000 square feet. These nearby houses have also recently changed hands: On Bel Escou Drive, San Jose, in February 2024, a 1,676-square-foot home was sold for $2,270,000, a price per square foot of $1,354. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. In July 2023, a 1,486-square-foot home on Bel Estos Drive in San Jose sold for $2,210,000, a price per square foot of $1,487. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. A 1,180-square-foot home on the 4900 block of Bel Escou Drive in San Jose sold in November 2023, for $1,825,000, a price per square foot of $1,547. The home has 3 bedrooms

SAN JOSE — A man suspected of brutally stabbing an ex-girlfriend he had been stalking 12 years ago has been extradited from Mexico and brought to the Bay Area to answer for a killing in broad daylight that orphaned a 10-year-old boy, authorities said. At left is a 2013 photo released by San Jose police after Juan Ramirez was named a suspect in the stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend in San Jose. At right is a photo released by police on March 11, 2025, following Ramirez’s extradition from Mexico to face charges in the homicide. (San Jose Police Dept.)  Juan Ramirez, 37, was actually arrested by Interpol agents in July but he had been awaiting extradition, which occurred over the weekend. He was formally booked Friday into the Santa Clara County Main Jail, where he is being held without bail, records show. Ramirez was the one and only suspect in the March 22, 2013 afternoon attack on 29-year-old Sandra Cruzes with a butcher knife in front of Cruzes’ apartment near North First and Hedding streets, not far from the county government, jail, and San Jose

St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration enjoyed by Irish and Irish wannabes alike. From coast to coast, the core of the fun lies in creating satisfying, easy-to-prepare fare. Thumbing through Kevin Dundon’s book, “Modern Irish Food” (Beazley), sparks devilish hunger pangs. Dundon, an award-winning Irish chef and PBS television personality, features recipes for what he calls “modern Irish house cooking.” He explores the classic dishes of his homeland, giving them appealing updated twists. I love his beautiful-but-simple apple tart. Using refrigerated prepared dough, layer thin apple apple slices on top, slightly overlapping the slices in concentric circles to cover the dough. The flavor of the tart-sweet apples shines through in this scrumptious finale, the crust offering a pleasing texture contrast that compliments the fruit and corrals the rich juices. But before the dessert, a traditional Irish stew is a must. To accompany the cozy dish, Irish Guinness Brown Bread is an irresistible partner. Cookbook maven and Food Network star Ina Garten has a recipe that comes close to the real deal. Her formula calls for a 9- by-5-inch loaf pan. My pan is slightly smaller

SAN JOSE — The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority filed a legal complaint Tuesday against Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 for allegedly violating a “no strike” clause in their collective bargaining agreement as the union’s continued to push for higher wages and other benefits. VTA filed the complaint in the Santa Clara County Superior Court with the aim of bringing the strike to a swift end, according to a statement from the agency. “This strike is having an overwhelming impact on the community, and we are working on all efforts to support our riders getting to work, school, medical appointments, and events,” said Carolyn Gonot, general manager and CEO of VTA, in a statement. “VTA is an integral part of the transportation network for Santa Clara County and the region overall. Getting our buses and trains rolling is imperative.” ATU members walked off the job Monday after seven months negotiations ended in an impasse last week. The union is pushing for higher pay amid concerns of the cost of living and high inflation. The district has said it serves some 100,000 passengers per day. The

By Michelle Gumede | Associated Press JOHANNESBURG — A bus lost control and flipped on a highway early Tuesday near Johannesburg’s international airport, killing 16 as some were thrown from the vehicle, the transport ministry said. Ministry spokesman Collen Msibi said 12 people died at the scene and four at a hospital. Msibi said reports indicated that 11 passengers were critically injured and 24 had moderate to serious injuries. “On arrival we found patients lying across the road,” said William Ntladi, an emergency management spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni municipality. Two bodies were trapped in the wreckage, Ntladi said. Handbags, a lunch box and a water bottle were scattered among the debris. The crash occurred near Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport. No other vehicle was involved, and officials weren’t yet able to determine the cause. The bus had been transporting people from the township of Katlehong, east of Johannesburg, and was a short distance from exiting the highway, officials said. “We are lost for words. This is a disaster,” said Andile Mngwevu, a city councilor. “To see so many bodies lying around is quite saddening, and

Bob Mould, a first-tier alt-rock pioneer, is out on the road supporting the newly released “Here We Go Crazy.” It’s Mould’s 15th solo album and first full-length studio effort since 2020’s “Blue Hearts.” The 11-track set was partially recorded and fully mixed at Oakland’s own Tiny Telephone recording studio. The singer-songwriter-guitarist was backed on the set by drummer Jon Wurster and bassist Jason Narducy. “On the surface, this is a group of straightforward guitar-pop songs. I’m refining my primary sound and style through simplicity, brevity and clarity,” Mould says in a news release. “Under the hood, there’s a number of contrasting themes. Control and chaos, hypervigilance and helplessness, uncertainly and unconditional love.” The first single from the album is the striking “When Your Heart Is Broken.” “‘When Your Heart Is Broken’ is built from a familiar blueprint for my work: bright melodies, dark words, loud guitars,” Mould continues. “To me, the musical urgency of ‘When Your Heart Is Broken’ is uplifting, the lyrical reflection offers redemption, and it’s most certainly a song I can throw myself into when playing live.” Fans will likely get the

The Bay Area’s two minor league teams are picking up the regional baseball rivalry that used to be reserved for the Giants and A’s. The San Jose Giants and the Oakland Ballers also will make a little history when they meet in San Jose in April. The teams announced Tuesday that they will play an exhibition game on April 2 at San Jose’s Excite Ballpark. The franchises have dubbed the game “Battle of the Bay 2.0.” In addition to establishing a new Bay Area rivalry, it will be the first time an affiliated franchise (the Giants a member of the Single-A  California League and an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants system since 1988) has faced an unaffiliated team. The Ballers, a member of the Independent Pioneer League and Oakland’s sole pro team with the A’s relocated to Sacramento, made their debut last spring. “The Battle of the Bay 2.0 at its core is a celebration of the Bay Area baseball fan and the history of baseball in this region,” San Jose Giants President Ben Taylor said in a release issued by the teams. He

A criminalist testifying Monday in the Marvin Ray Markle Jr. murder case said she was able to extract DNA from fingernail clippings from the victim’s left hand, then told the prosecutor it revealed “a match” to Markle. Responding to questions from Chief Deputy District Attorney Paul Sequeira, Stephanie Carpenter, an expert in DNA analysis with the state Department of Justice in Sacramento, said there were male chromosomes in a second sample of the clippings, which she identified as Markle’s. As she testified, Markle, seated at the defense table in Department 2 of Solano County Superior Court, whispered to his attorney, Thomas A. Barrett, chief deputy of Alternate Defender Office, on Day 4 of the trial in the Justice Building in Vallejo. RELATED: Witness in Bay Area cold case murder trial: Defendant, victim ‘making out’ in car Markle, previously convicted of a 2001 murder in Butte County, is charged with the Nov. 15, 1982, strangulation and bludgeoning death of De Anna Lynn Johnson, 14, a student at Will C. Wood Junior High in Vacaville, leaving her body along railroad tracks near Elmira Road in Vacaville. Over the

Breaking News Burnsed says disagreement with principal Eric Shawn over the role of now-coach Joel Isaac was impetus for resignation Acalanes head coach Floyd Burnsed looks on from the sideline in the second half of a North Coast Section Division III football championship against Campolindo at Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Acalanes would go onto win 20-17. (Anda Chu for the Bay Area News Group) PUBLISHED: March 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM PDT Burnsed says disagreement with principal Eric Shawn over the role of now-coach Joel Isaac was impetus for resignation

3599 Peak Drive – Google Street View The spacious property located in the 3500 block of Peak Drive in San Jose was sold on Feb. 18, 2025 for $2,266,000, or $949 per square foot. The house, built in 1978, has an interior space of 2,389 square feet. This is a two-story house. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. In addition, the home features type not specified. The lot size of the property measures an impressive 0.6-acre. Additional houses have recently been sold nearby: On Warner Drive, San Jose, in August 2024, a 1,977-square-foot home was sold for $1,335,000, a price per square foot of $675. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. A 2,261-square-foot home on the 1200 block of Utopia Place in San Jose sold in October 2022, for $1,510,000, a price per square foot of $668. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. In November 2024, a 2,086-square-foot home on Warner Drive in San Jose sold for $1,860,000, a price per square foot of $892. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This article was generated

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers’ roster-recovery efforts Tuesday include a pricey but short-term commitment to Jordan Mason and a low-key addition of safety Richie Grant. But more departures are imminent, a day after an eight-man exodus in which seven landed free-agent deals elsewhere and perennial Pro Bowler Kyle Juszczyk got informed of his release. The Minnesota Vikings are expected to swoop up Javon Hargrave once he’s released upon Wednesday’s start of the NFL’s fiscal year. That is when the 49ers also are expected to cut fellow defensive tackle Maliek Collins, and it’s when Deebo Samuel’s trade will go through to Washington for a fifth-round pick. Mason, who broke out last season in place of an injured Christian McCaffrey, drew a second-round tender of $5.35 million as a restricted free agent, ESPN reported. That reserves the 49ers’ right to either match an offer Mason gets elsewhere or receive a second-round draft pick in return for the once-undrafted running back. A multi-year contract still could ensue from the 49ers, as could a trade. To combat Monday’s mass migrations, the 49ers will replenish their roster, and one such

March 8 GRAND THEFT: 10:15 a.m. at Safeway on Pollard Road. A suspect stole $1,600 worth of items the night before. Numerous employees witnessed the theft. The reporting party and another business in the same shopping complex reportedly have videos of the incident. JUVENILE DISTURBANCE: 7:51 p.m. at Walgreens on North Santa Cruz Avenue. A staff member said there were more than 20 juveniles inside and outside the store shooting each other with Orbeez gel guns. The staff member who reported the incident said they told them to leave, but the juveniles refused. March 9 GRAND THEFT: 12:42 p.m. at Aventino Apartments on Winchester Circle. An online report was taken. PETTY THEFT: 12:45 p.m. at Ace Hardware (Rural Supply) on South Santa Cruz Avenue. The reporting party said the theft occurred around 12:30 p.m. They said that a suspect stole a Yeti tumbler and other items and fled in a silver SUV. The reporting party also said they took a video of of the suspect and their vehicle. GRAND THEFT: 12:54 p.m. at Safeway on Union Avenue. An online report was taken. BURGLARY: 6:56 p.m.

After months of speculation, former Rep. Katie Porter announced Tuesday that she is running for California governor to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom. Porter, a Democrat who represented Orange County in Congress for three terms, launched her campaign in a video posted to social media, casting herself as a fighter who will stand up to President Donald Trump and corporate interests. “What California needs now is a little bit of hope and a whole lot of grit. Fresh blood and new ideas. Leaders with the backbone to fight for what’s right,” Porter said in the video. “As governor, I won’t ever back down when Trump hurts Californians — whether he’s holding up disaster relief, attacking our rights or our communities or screwing over working families to benefit himself and his cronies.” Newsom is ineligible to run in 2026 due to term limits. His second and final term ends in January 2027, leaving the governor’s seat wide open in the next election. The primary is set for June 2, 2026, with the general election on Nov. 3. Porter first won office in 2018, flipping a Republican congressional

Guinness beer, bittersweet chocolate and decadent quantities of butter make this layer cake party-worthy. (Getty Images) This King Arthur Baking recipe for Guinness-infused chocolate cake is a buttery, decadent delight. Originally Published: March 11, 2025 at 6:35 AM PDT

Save Mount Diablo acquires 98-acre Schwendel Ranch in “landmark conservation victory” Escrow closed one week after the nonprofit secured a $728,000 grant from the California Wildlife Conservation Board The Ginochio Schwendel Ranch, a 98-acre property located along the Marsh Creek wildlife corridor, will be protected after Save Mount Diablo acquired the land for $1.45 million on March 6. (Photo by Cooper Ogden/ Save Mount Diablo) That land will now be permanently preserved and managed as part of a new state program focused on the San Andreas fault’s inner coast, including the 200-mile Diablo Range. Originally Published: March 11, 2025 at 6:30 AM PDT

WHICH GARDEN COMPOSTERS ARE BEST? Whether you’re a gardener with a green thumb or an environmentalist with a wish to “go green,” you’ll need a garden composter to help accomplish your goals. Gardeners compost kitchen vegetable scraps and yard waste, such as lawn trimmings, raked leaves, and plant clippings to make nutrient-rich soil amendments for landscaping and vegetable beds. Environmentalists use composters because they are a sustainable way of diverting vegetable scraps and organic matter from over-impacted landfills. But starting out in the composting world can be a bit overwhelming. You want to do what’s right by the Earth, but you don’t know which composter will best serve you. Our guide to garden composters will help you make an informed decision from a host of models, including the Jora Composter 70-Gallon Compost Tumbler, our top choice for its multitude of features, such as   dual chambers that allow you to add new materials to one half while materials in the other half continue to mature. WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY A GARDEN COMPOSTER There are a few different types of garden composters, and it’s essential to

A 20-year legal odyssey seeking the return of a Nazi-looted painting that once belonged to the German Jewish family of a former La Mesa resident endured its latest twist Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court ordered an appellate court to reconsider the fate of the artwork. The ruling is a win — for now — for the family of Claude Cassirer, a longtime La Mesa resident who died in 2010, five years after he first sued for the return of French artist Camille Pissarro’s 1897 Impressionist masterpiece “Rue Saint-Honoré, Après-midi, Effet de Pluie.” Cassirer’s grandmother was forced to sell the artwork to the Nazis in 1939 as a condition for being able to flee Germany and escape the Holocaust. The painting now hangs at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid. The museum insists that it is the rightful owner of the painting, and so far U.S. courts have agreed. Most recently the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that, while there was no question the Nazis had looted the artwork, Spanish law that allowed the museum to keep the painting took precedent over

If there are Martian scholars examining the United States right now, they might be puzzling over the great Trump paradox. It’s that President Donald Trump is doing immense long-term damage to the country by undermining democratic norms, vandalizing the federal government and siding with alleged war criminals in the Kremlin, yet if support for him falls, I doubt it will have anything to do with all this. Rather, it may be … egg prices. American voters have been, to my mind, surprisingly comfortable with a felon who pardons other, violent felons and engages in reckless attacks on our rule of law and the global system that we created in 1945 and that has hugely enriched and empowered us. Trump doubled down on his, er, “cultural revolution” in his recent speech to Congress, and about three-quarters of those who watched the speech approved of it to some degree (largely because those who watched were disproportionately Republican). Attacks by Democrats on Trump as undemocratic never got much traction among working-class voters; they cared less about issues at 30,000 feet and more about economic and cultural concerns at