Category: Bay Area

By Kevin Freking | Associated Press WASHINGTON — House Republicans unveiled a spending bill Saturday that would keep federal agencies funded through Sept. 30, pushing ahead with a go-it-alone strategy that seems certain to spark a major confrontation with Democrats over the contours of government spending. The 99-page bill would provide a slight boost to defense programs while trimming nondefense programs below 2024 budget year levels. That approach is likely to be a nonstarter for most Democrats who have long insisted that defense and nondefense spending move in the same direction. Congress must act by midnight Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is teeing up the bill for a vote on Tuesday despite the lack of buy-in from Democrats, essentially daring them to vote against it and risk a shutdown. He also is betting that Republicans can muscle the legislation through the House largely by themselves. Normally, when it comes to keeping the government fully open for business, Republicans have had to work with Democrats to craft a bipartisan measure that both sides can support. That’s because Republicans almost always

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Heavy rains unleashed a landslide in southwest Colombia, killing at least one person, officials said Saturday. Three other people were missing. The victim was dragged away in his vehicle by Friday’s landslide, according to Nicolás Toro, mayor of the town of Pasto, who spoke with El Contraste Noticias, a local news site. Before the body was found on Saturday, the National Risk Management Unit had said that four people were missing and 38 others were rescued. It noted that the landslide affected more than 200 people overall and damaged 65 homes. Heavy machinery worked to reopen the affected roads and restore water service, which was suspended in a popular tourist area near La Cocha lagoon. Originally Published: March 8, 2025 at 2:41 PM PST

Floyd Burnsed led Acalanes to a 68-34 record in nine seasons and won a state championship in 2023 Acalanes head coach Floyd Burnsed glances at the scoreboard in the fourth quarter of their game at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. Campolindo defeated Acalanes 25-24. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) Floyd Burnsed led Acalanes to a 68-34 record in nine seasons and won a state championship in 2023 Originally Published: March 8, 2025 at 1:29 PM PST

NEW YORK (AP) — Quick-moving brush fires burned through a large swath of land on New York’s Long Island on Saturday, fanned by high winds that spewed thick gray smoke into the sky and prompted the evacuation of a military base and the closure of a major highway. Gov. Kathy Hochul said state agencies were responding to the fires around the Pine Barrens, a wooded area that is home to commuter towns east of New York City. In a statement, Hochul said the National Guard was providing support by helicopter and working with local law enforcement. “Public safety is my top priority, and I’m committed to doing everything possible to keep Long Islanders safe,” she said. Videos posted to social media showed flames shooting into the air and columns of black smoke rising above roads. The Town of Southampton issued a warning in the afternoon against starting recreational fires due to wildfire risk, around the time that the videos began appearing. Police closed miles of Sunrise Highway, a thoroughfare to the East End of Long Island. Originally Published: March 8, 2025 at 1:25 PM PST

By Mehmet Guzel and Andrew Wilks | Associated Press ISTANBUL — Women took to the streets of cities across Europe, Africa, South America and elsewhere to mark International Women’s Day with demands for ending inequality and gender-based violence. On the Asian side of Istanbul, Turkey’s biggest city, a rally in Kadikoy saw members of dozens of women’s groups listen to speeches, dance and sing in the spring sunshine. The colorful protest was overseen by a large police presence, including officers in riot gear and a water cannon truck. The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared 2025 the Year of the Family. Protesters pushed back against the idea of women’s role being confined to marriage and motherhood, carrying banners reading “Family will not bind us to life” and “We will not be sacrificed to the family.” Critics have accused the government of overseeing restrictions on women’s rights and not doing enough to tackle violence against women. Erdogan in 2021 withdrew Turkey from a European treaty, dubbed the Istanbul Convention, that protects women from domestic violence. Turkish rights group We Will Stop Femicides Platform says that

By Vanessa Gera | Associated Press WARSAW, Poland — Polish abortion rights activists opened a center across from the parliament building in Warsaw on Saturday where women can go to have abortions with pills, either alone or with other women. Opening the center on International Women’s Day across from the legislature was a symbolic challenge to authorities in the traditionally Roman Catholic nation, which has one of Europe’s most restrictive abortion laws. A small but loud group of protesters demonstrated outside the “Abotak” center as activists gathered inside for its inauguration. They blasted loud sounds of babies’ cries and held huge, gruesome posters. “We will never allow people to kill Polish children on demand” said one of the anti-abortion protesters, Marek Krawczyk, as he held a rosary high. “We warn all Polish politicians not to introduce disgraceful decisions.” The abortion rights activists with Abortion Dream Team had private security guards standing at the door, while police also formed a barrier between protesters and the center. “We came here to claim the space and to remind you in your face that women have abortions in Poland

By Bay City News A state inmate was handed an additional term of 25 years to life for sexually assaulting a prison nurse, prosecutors said Friday. Tyrone Owens, 41, was walking in a yard at Salinas Valley State Prison on March 23, 2023, when he approached a licensed vocational nurse asking for “help,” prosecutors said. When she told how to get help, Owens told her he needed “sexual help,” ran after her, grabbed her and tried to put his hand down her pants, prosecutors said. The nurse eventually broke free from Owens, and correctional officers came to her assistance. Owens was sentenced as a third “strike” offender under the California Three Strikes Law that increases prison time for repeat felons, the district attorney’s office said in a news release. At the time of the incident, Owens was serving a 17-year prison sentence for what prosecutors called “similar conduct.” The additional term won’t begin until Owens has served his previous term, which began in 2019, prosecutors said.

One person is dead and another injured following a two-vehicle crash in Martinez on Friday evening, police said. The collision occurred around 6:38 p.m. near the intersection of Alhambra Avenue and Elderwood Drive and Glenview Drive, according to a Saturday news release by the Martinez Police Department. The area is in the southern most part of the city and borders Pleasant Hill. One of the drivers succumbed to injuries at the scene, while the other was transported to a nearby medical center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The department is conducting an investigation. At this time, it is unknown whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the collision, the release states. The Martinez Police Department is requesting anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Cpl. King at 925-494-5789 or dking@cityofmartinez.org.

By Jon Wilner | jwilner@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: March 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM PST Expansion decisions, which will follow the media rights deal, must be made with 2030 in mind. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.

MARTINEZ — Three officers engaged in misconduct following a police shooting last summer in Martinez and are now no longer employed by the city, according to newly released documents. On Friday, the Martinez Police Department posted dozens of records related to the incident, which happened Aug. 18, 2023, outside the Velvet cannabis dispensary at 4808 Sunrise Drive. Officers shot and killed Tahmon Wilson, 20, of San Francisco, and wounded his older brother while responding to a burglary alarm at the business. The documents detail how Officer Giani Arone kneed the older brother two to three times in the head while he was handcuffed and then helped Officer Cole Bennett and Officer Alexander Tirona hide an illegal knife Bennett was carrying at the time. Separate administrative investigations into the kneeing and knife incidents found that the three officers violated police department policy. More specifically, Arone used unreasonable force and failed to report the use of force. Arone also took the knife from Bennett and put it in his patrol vehicle after Tirona told Bennett to get rid of it. The knife was illegal to carry under

Nvidia has a special place in Dan Phan’s heart. The San Jose native remembers saving up for months when he was a teenager to get a GeForce2 GPU for a computer he was building. And now — as part of the group that owns downtown hot spots Eos & Nyx, Paper Plane, Still O.G. and Miniboss — he’s looking forward to welcoming Nvidia’s big tech conference, GTC, and the 25,000 people it’ll bring to downtown San Jose in mid-March. “Bringing thousands of visitors to San Jose isn’t just about filling convention halls. It’s about activating downtown,” Phan said. “When conference attendees walk out of the conference, they walk into our city. They grab coffee at our local cafes, they book tables at our restaurants and they unwind at our cocktail bars.” Dan Phan, who is part of the ownership group behind Eos & Nyx, Paper Plane, Still O.G., Alter Ego and Miniboss, speaks at Plaza de Cesar Chavez on Friday, March 7, 2025, during a news conference announcing activities for GTC, Nvidia’s technology conference taking place March 17-21, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group) 1

RICHMOND — After decades of flooding created chaos for the people of the Rollingwood neighborhood, a recent restoration of Rheem Creek promises to bring relief during the rainy season. Residents hope the improvements last. Since the 1950s, Rheem Creek has acted as an important drainage ditch for a community built on what once was a flood plain and tidal marsh. It runs about 3.4 miles through Richmond, San Pablo and unincorporated Contra Costa County, draining about 2.8 square miles of water into San Pablo Bay. As time passed, sediment and debris began to build up as overgrown non-native plants greatly decreased the amount of water that could flow through the channel, causing water to disperse into nearby neighborhoods for more than 20 years. The flooding destroyed the foundations of homes and garages, damaged building interiors and totaled cars, said Sarah Puckett, California Central Valley program director for American Rivers, an organization focused on reducing the threats of rivers and water channels. The yard of a home along Fordham Street next to Rheem Creek on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in San Pablo, Calif. About 900 cubic yards

TODAY’S WORD — VENTRAL (VENTRAL: VEN-trul: Of or relating to the belly.) Average mark 40 words Time limit 50 minutes Can you find 48 or more words in VENTRAL? The list will be published Monday. YESTERDAY’S WORD — EMISSARY: easy emir essay mare maser mass mesa mess messy mire miser misery miss same sari sayer seam seamy sear semi sire smear smeary aery airy amir amiss arise armies army raise ramie ream remiss rime rise year 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.

Dear Eric: I am compelled to respond to your advice to “Caregiver Sibling,” who was seemingly taking care of her 93-year-old mother with little assistance from her siblings. When my mother passed away three years ago, it became clear that I was going to do the majority of my father’s caregiving and handling of his affairs. I told my siblings to create a spreadsheet, and everyone lists their expenses associated with Dad’s care (airfare, rental car, gas). Any time taken off work qualifies for $100 a day. Upon his passing, everyone who has expenses will be reimbursed. My dad now lives with me and my family. In my area, the starting rate for senior housing is $4,500 per month, so I charge $2,500 per month for his care. To date, I have reimbursable expenses totaling $80,000. The attorney that we worked with when my dad rewrote his will said he wished more people would do this. My friends said they regret not thinking of this. I love my father and would not have it any other way; however, as I told my siblings, I am

DEAR HARRIETTE: For a few months, I have been dating a guy who is very kind and mostly attentive. When we first met, he said that his life was great except for the fact that he didn’t have any money. It turns out that was a literal statement. He hasn’t had a job in more than a year, though somehow he is able to keep an apartment and take care of himself. He does not have money to take me on dates or to do anything. His phone has been cut off at least three times this year. As I have listened to him talk about his life, I hear him saying that he doesn’t value money. He has broken up with women because they valued it too much — but he is living at the opposite extreme. I am growing frustrated by his reality, but I really like him. Am I fooling myself? This is a grown man, and while he says he is looking for work, I don’t see the fruits of that effort. Why am I holding on? — No Hope DEAR

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Can you please publish a few short words on presenting a proper toast? Among millennials and Gen Z, the word “cheers” has become both a noun and a verb. I have heard “Let’s cheers to this” and “Can we do a cheers?” Watching young people do this, e.g., on reality TV, is cringeworthy. In celebration, “cheers” should be an exclamation: “I’d like to propose a toast: Here’s to teaching young people manners and etiquette.” Then everyone raises a glass and exclaims, “Cheers!” GENTLE READER: While she is always up for a good grammatical fight, Miss Manners still considers this a pretty minor infraction. If you take off the “s,” “cheers” becomes “cheer,” which is both a noun and a verb. She suggests that you pretend not to hear the “s” to spare yourself the cringe. That young people are engaging in any formalities and celebrating one another at all is praiseworthy. To that, she will propose her own preferred toast: the Italian “cin cin.” DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was in my office when I got an urge to go to the bathroom.

Imagine finishing a long workout, feeling refreshed but needing something extra to cap off your self-care ritual. Enter artisan edibles , the perfect blend of indulgence and innovation. These aren’t your average snacks—artisan edibles like cannabis-infused chocolates, hand-crafted truffles, and gourmet gummies are reshaping the way we think about post-workout recovery, relaxation, and even culinary delight. What Are Artisan Edibles? Artisan edibles are handcrafted, high-quality treats that combine gourmet ingredients with precise cannabis infusion. Unlike mass-produced edibles, these products are created with care and a keen eye for flavor, texture, and experience. Think velvety chocolate truffles with a hint of salted caramel, or tart fruit gummies dusted in fine sugar. They’re more than just edibles—they’re an experience. The cannabis component, usually THC or CBD, adds an extra layer of allure. For athletes or anyone who enjoys a long workout, CBD edibles are particularly appealing. Known for their anti-inflammatory properties, CBD can help reduce muscle soreness and promote relaxation. According to a 2021 study in Sports Medicine , CBD may even support better recovery by aiding sleep and reducing stress post-exercise. Post-Workout Bliss: Why Edibles? Let’s

198 Lasata Court – Google Street View The spacious property located in the 100 block of Lasata Court in Danville was sold on Feb. 13, 2025 for $2,400,000, or $759 per square foot. The house, built in 1996, has an interior space of 3,163 square feet. This is a two-story house. The property is equipped with 219 heating and 103 cooling. Additionally, the house is equipped with type not specified. The lot size of the property measures an impressive 9,975 square feet. These nearby houses have also recently changed hands: On Lasata Court, Danville, in October 2022, a 3,674-square-foot home was sold for $2,250,000, a price per square foot of $612. The home has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. In October 2024, a 3,087-square-foot home on Cross Bridge Place in Danville sold for $1,900,000, a price per square foot of $615. The home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. A 3,548-square-foot home on the first block of Rockhaven Lane in Danville sold in July 2022, for $2,520,000, a price per square foot of $710. The home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. This article was

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Cal gave sixth-ranked Notre Dame all it could handle before falling 73-64 in the quarterfinals of the ACC women’s basketball tournament on Friday. But the Golden Bears’ season is far from over. The Bears (25-8) will have to wait a week before the Sunday, March 16 NCAA Tournament selection show, but Cal’s name will be called. It’ll be the Bears’ first appearance in the Big Dance since 2019 and the first under coach Charmin Smith. ESPN’s Charlie Creme projects the Bears to be a No. 8 seed in the NCAAs. Despite the loss to the Irish, 26-4 and the tournament’s defending champion, Cal did little if anything to hurt its tournament resume. Smith argued the way the Bears competed Friday and throughout the ACC season should help their NCAA seed climb despite a NET ranking of No. 37, equivalent to a No. 9 seed. “I think hopefully people could see in this game how good we are and stop putting us on an 8/9 line and not giving us the respect that we deserve for beating teams like N.C. State and Florida

SAN LEANDRO — The same criminal investigation that led Oakland’s former mayor to be charged with felonies has spread to San Leandro, where city officials have been ordered by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to turn over numerous records in an apparent public corruption probe. The federal investigation, which appears to be playing out in parallel between the two cities, became public in San Leandro on Jan. 15 when federal agents raided the home of City Councilmember Bryan Azevedo, a known associate of the family at the center of the scandal. Now city officials must turn over records related to members of that family, including father-and-son defendants David and Andy Duong, along with the Vietnamese business association they led and an affordable housing project they attempted to launch in the Bay Area. The family’s flagship business is California Waste Solutions, a recycling giant that has waste-management contracts with the cities of Oakland and San Jose. In Oakland, the Duong duo are accused of working with an accomplice to bribe ex-Mayor Sheng Thao and her romantic partner, Andre Jones, so that Thao would appoint handpicked officials to

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. Trump is right to seek lasting peace in Ukraine President Trump correctly asserts that the Ukraine war cannot be permitted to drag on indefinitely in the delusional hope of inflicting total defeat on Russia. To continue on that path risks igniting nuclear war, an unjustifiable gamble. Given Ukraine’s difficult military situation, continuing this war would necessitate ever more dangerous escalations. For example, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has proposed sending European troops into Ukraine under a U.S.-enforced “no-fly zone,” which would likely provoke a direct military clash with Russian troops. Even worse, French President Macron just suggested extending a French “nuclear umbrella” over his European allies, presumably including Ukraine, that could lead to a direct nuclear confrontation with Russia. Escalating threats such as these only make initiating peace talks more difficult. Negotiating an agreement that moves us toward a lasting peace should be our primary goal. In order to be successful, all parties, including the Ukrainians, must participate. Michael Dunlap Oakland After 1 month, is this what we voted for? America