Category: Bay Area

Some of the Bay Area’s largest cities are facing truly eye-popping budget deficits. San Francisco is projecting a $290 million shortfall. Oakland, short by $177 million, isn’t faring much better. But down south, the outlook is a bit sunnier. San Jose is reporting a $35.3 million surplus. Why such a divergence? Economists and budget officials attribute the disparity to San Francisco and Oakland’s heavy reliance on tax revenues that are still recovering sluggishly from the pandemic’s economic gut punch. The cities blame the down year on a mixture of poorly performing key revenue streams and the drying up of federal pandemic-related funding. San Jose, on the other hand, has come away generally unscathed by leaning on a tax base that’s largely weathered negative financial forces. Worth noting: The surplus in the FY2023-24 budget remains small when compared to its $5.2 billion total budget — less than 1%. “We’re in a positive position,” city budget director Jim Shannon said. “It’s not like we’ve got money to burn, by any means.” Key to the large discrepancy between the cities is the real estate transfer tax, levied when

Liam Hendriks’ return to the mound for the Chicago White Sox has been a moment fans have been looking forward to since the news of his cancer was announced in January. No one knew whether it even would be possible for Hendriks to come back from non-Hodgkin lymphoma this season, so having him back in late May seems like a gift. It’s a tribute to Hendriks’ perseverance and work ethic, two traits that have defined his baseball journey and made him an elite closer. Hendriks was not available to speak with the media Thursday when he returned to White Sox Park to map out the next steps in his rehab, which includes a bullpen session or throwing live batting practice Friday. How Hendriks feels Saturday will determine whether he returns to the minors for more work, gets activated over the weekend or waits for the upcoming trip to Cleveland and Detroit. Manager Pedro Grifol said before Thursday’s game that the Sox haven’t discussed where to start him if he’s indeed ready. “The preference is making sure he’s Liam Hendriks or close to it,” he said.

TORONTO — After getting to know Ryan Weber over the last year and a half or so, Ron Marinaccio feels there’s one thing that stands out about the Yankees pitcher. It’s not the journeyman’s high-80s velocity. Nor is it the right-hander’s 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame. And Weber’s career numbers aren’t exactly anything to write home about, either. But “it seems like his heartbeat never wavers at all,” Marinaccio said, “no matter what situation it is.” That appeared to be the case Thursday against the Blue Jays when Weber entered in the seventh after Nestor Cortes walked the inning’s leadoff hitter. Pitching with a 3-1 lead, the reliever known as “Webdog” gave up a single and a walk to load the bases with nobody out. It looked as if the Yankees were doomed. But then Weber’s luck changed, as he induced three straight fly balls for outs. Only one of them, a sac fly from pinch-hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr., resulted in a run, and the Yankees ultimately won, 3-2. “Thank god, not deep enough,” Weber, a sinkerballer who usually relies on grounders, said of the lofted balls.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Dario Franchitti, 50; Polly Walker, 57; Grace Jones, 75; Pete Townshend, 78. Happy Birthday: Get down to business and make the changes that get you closer to your dreams. Opportunity is all around you, but it’s up to you to recognize and take advantage of what’s available. Turn your space into a place that puts your mind at ease and inspires you to follow your heart and dreams. Talks will lead to romance and a detailed look at possibilities. Your numbers are 8, 12, 17, 29, 32, 38, 40. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Consider what’s meaningful and enjoyable, and set a course to take you where you want to go. The goal is to eliminate stress by heading in a direction that offers comfort and satisfaction. Reconfigure your path to match your desire. 3 stars TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Check your options and consider what will help you reach your objective. Reach out to an expert or attend a conference that will broaden your vision and help you see how you can use your skills to advance. 3 stars GEMINI

A club player came to me as discouraged as a farmer suffering through a late-summer drought. “I make so many mistakes I should start calling them ‘traditions,’” he told me. At four spades, my friend won the first heart with the king and took the A-K of trumps, hoping for a 2-2 break. East threw a heart. Declarer next led the ace and a low diamond. “West won,” South said, “and cashed his high trump. Then I could ruff one diamond in dummy, but I lost another diamond and a club. I think what I learn from my mistakes is how to make the same ones again.” HIGH TRUMP South can win the first heart in dummy, cash one high trump, then duck a diamond. If West leads a second trump, South wins, takes the ace of diamonds, ruffs a diamond and comes to his king of hearts to ruff his last diamond, losing a trump, a club and a diamond. If instead West leads a second heart, South wins and leads the ace and a second club to set up a link with his

Dear Amy: As an older male I have seen fundamental changes in all types of relationships. One change is a reduction in work ambition. Some people choose “quiet quitting” – to do as little as possible and still keep their job. I see “quiet quitting” in relationships as well, and my daughter has chosen to quietly quit her relationship with me. She seems happy to see me when we get together (rarely) and there is always a “love you” somewhere – but that’s it. Her mother and I got divorced 15 years ago when my kids were teenagers. They lived with her full time. I know that my ex does her best to poison their relationship with me. My daughter and her husband never proactively contact me or offer to get together, even though I live nearby. I suggest that they come to my home to celebrate my birthday – but it never happens. She and her husband had Easter dinner with her mother, but she didn’t even bother to give me a “Happy Easter” phone call. She even had her mother give her away

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have found myself in an uncomfortable situation with a friend of mine. We both have children, but my friend seems to be too lenient when it comes to parenting. Lately, she has been giving me unsolicited advice about my own child — with whom I have a great relationship. I appreciate her concern, but her constant input makes me feel undermined as a parent. I understand that she may have good intentions, but it’s important for her to recognize that every parent-child relationship is different. How can I approach this situation without jeopardizing our friendship? Back Off DEAR BACK OFF: Tell your friend you need to talk to her about something serious. If you can be face to face, that is best. Point out that you have noticed that the two of you obviously love your children very much, but your parenting styles are very different. You have chosen to keep your thoughts to yourself about how she parents her child. For whatever reason, she has not been able to extend the same courtesy. Related Articles Advice | Harriette Cole: My friend

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I enjoy sending festive flower arrangements to friends. In one such case, my friend sent a text to thank me and provided a photo of what was delivered. She was pleased with it, but I was not. The flowers she received were vaguely similar to what I had ordered and paid for, but definitely lacking in both quality and quantity. I contacted the merchant and they handled it well, promptly sending her a new arrangement (and she was allowed to keep the first one, as well). I explained the situation to her in advance and she sent me another photo of the second delivery. It was lovely. However, my friend said I should not have made a fuss. She was happy with the first arrangement and felt awkward accepting the second, as I was the party who had complained, not her. Related Articles Advice | Miss Manners: I want to talk about my problems, not listen to theirs Advice | Miss Manners: What’s a polite way to make sure I get the painting when she dies? Advice | Miss Manners: Why is

VINE HILL — A person died Thursday after a multi-vehicle collision that blocked Highway 4 lanes Thursday evening and led California Highway Patrol officers to issue a Sig-alert, authorities said. Shortly after 5:50 p.m., CHP officers learned of the collision in eastbound Hwy. 4 lanes just west of the on-ramp from northbound Interstate 680. When officers arrived, they found two vehicles that sustained heavy damage, as well as a third vehicle, in the roadway’s No. 1 or left-most lane. One person at the scene was taken to a hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. Their identity was not available Thursday night, pending next-of-kin notification from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office coroner’s division. The CHP issued a Sig-alert at 6:08 p.m., advising drivers and residents to avoid the area due to the collision. The alert was lifted at 7:31 p.m. The crash was the sixth fatal one on the highway in 2023, following a double-fatality collision just over a week ago in Martinez. There have been nine fatal crashes on the highway since November 16, 2022, when three children were among five people killed in a

BELMONT – A 30-year-old Seattle man has been sentenced to three months in San Mateo County jail for installing a card skimmer and a camera at an ATM in Belmont, prosecutors said. Nicolae Diaconu on Wednesday pleaded no contest to felony attempted identity theft, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Sean Dabel placed him on two years of supervised probation on the condition he serves 90 days in jail. On Dec. 30, Diaconu and an unidentified accomplice inserted a skimmer into the card slot of a Bank of America ATM on Ralston Avenue and set up a camera on an adjacent post, prosecutors said. The skimmer was discovered and removed by an ATM technician, who contacted Belmont police. When installed on ATMs, point-of-sale terminals or fuel pumps, skimmers capture data or record the personal identification numbers of cardholders, according to the FBI. Criminals use the data to create fake cards and then steal from victims’ accounts. Skimming is estimated to cost financial institutions and consumers more than $1 billion annually. Prosecutors said officers were keeping tabs on the ATM when Diaconu

WALNUT CREEK — A 45-year-old resident was in custody Thursday after an apparent afternoon attempt at robbing a bank across the street from the city’s police department, authorities said. In a social-media post Thursday afternoon, police said the robbery attempt happened at a branch of U.S. Bank, 1655 North Main St., which sits less than 100 yards across the street from Walnut Creek police headquarters at 1666 North Main. Around 1:45 p.m., officers responded to a hold-up alarm and evacuated nearby businesses after learning a suspect was still inside the bank. Soon after contacting employees inside, other officers took the suspect into custody without incident. Police added that no weapons were involved, no other suspects were outstanding, no money was taken and neither employees nor customers were injured. The man was arrested on suspicion of robbery, as well as violating parole, police said. He was booked into Martinez county jail without bail. Police did not share any word about a possible connection to a May 8 robbery at PNC Bank, 1101 S. California Blvd. In that incident, officers who responded later found a suspect had passed

Gary Sanchez is back in the Big Apple. The Mets are calling up Sanchez from Triple-A Syracuse, according to reports. The catcher is expected to be activated Friday before the Mets host the Cleveland Guardians. Sanchez signed a minor league deal with the Mets earlier in the month after he was released by the San Francisco Giants. The former Yankee has excelled at the plate for the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse, slashing .318/.531/.546 with five RBI in 32 plate appearances. The Mets are calling up Sanchez while Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido are missing games on the injured list. Buck Showalter’s club is currently relying on a tandem of Francisco Alvarez and Michael Perez behind the plate. Sanchez started his career with the Yankees in 2015, where he played just two games. He was the runner-up for the American League Rookie of the Year award the following season after slashing .299/.376/.1.032 with 20 homers and 42 RBI in just 53 games. The 30-year-old was selected to two All-Star Games and won a Silver Slugger award in pinstripes. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins

SAN FRANCISCO — A city resident who lost his brother, son, and wife in a series of tragic incidents has been sentenced to federal prison for 41 months, despite having been acquitted in January of possessing the bullet that killed his wife, court records show. The story of 44-year-old Omar Pope dates back to last year, when federal prosecutors charged him with two felony counts: being a felon in possession of a loaded gun in May 2022, and possessing the bullet that killed his wife in December 2021, as the couple struggled over a pistol inside their home. Pope made the unusual move of pleading guilty to the May possession charge and taking the second count to trial. Last January, a jury acquitted him of being a felon in possession of ammunition, but that left Pope still facing a federal prison term for the gun case. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge William Alsup sentenced Pope to 41 months in federal prison, with credit for time he spent in jail since his June 2022 arrest. According to court records, Pope’s arrest was the culmination of a

Associated Press ROME — A car driven by someone with apparent psychiatric problems rushed through a Vatican gate Thursday evening and sped past Swiss Guards into a palace courtyard before the driver was apprehended by police, the Holy See said. Vatican gendarmes fired a shot at the speeding car’s front tires after it rushed the gate, but the vehicle managed to continue on its way, the Vatican press office said in a statement late Thursday. Once the car reached the San Damaso Courtyard of the Apostolic Palace, the driver got out and was immediately arrested by Vatican gendarmes. The Vatican said the driver was about 40 years old and was in a “serious state of psychophysical alteration.” He was being held in the Vatican barracks. It wasn’t clear if Pope Francis was anywhere near the incident, which occurred after 8 p.m. at the Santa Anna gate, one of the main entrances to the Vatican City State in the heart of Rome. Francis lives on the other side of Vatican City at the Santa Marta hotel, where at that hour he would normally be having dinner

CONCORD — A 38-year-old man was in county jail after his arrest in connection with a fatal stabbing this week, authorities said. According to a statement posted to social media Thursday, police said officers responded to a home described as near Port Chicago Way around 4 p.m. Wednesday. When officers arrived at the home, they found a 66-year-old man who had suffered multiple stab wounds. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity was not available from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office coroner’s division Thursday evening. Soon after, officers took the man’s roommate, a 38-year-old man, into custody and arrested him on suspicion of homicide in connection with the stabbing. He was booked into Martinez county jail. Police declined to release additional details, citing an ongoing investigation, but said anyone with information may call Concord police Det. James Nielsen at 925-603-5817 and reference Case No. 23-05129. Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.

By Lauran Neergaard | Associated Press WASHINGTON — A first-of-its-kind RSV vaccine for pregnant women guards their newborns against the scary respiratory virus -– and federal health advisers on Thursday backed Pfizer’s shot despite some lingering questions. RSV fills hospitals with wheezing babies each fall and winter, and the virus struck earlier than usual and especially hard in the U.S. this past year. If the vaccine pans out, “many infants and their parents will breathe easier in the coming years,” said Dr. Jay Portnoy, a member of the Food and Drug Administration advisory panel from Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. The idea: Give women a single injection late in pregnancy, between 24 weeks and 36 weeks, so they develop RSV-fighting antibodies that pass through the placenta — just like they pass protection against other bugs to their babies. In Pfizer’s international study of nearly 7,400 pregnant women, maternal vaccination proved 82% effective at preventing severe RSV during babies’ most vulnerable first three months of life. At age 6 months, it still was proving 69% protective against severe illness. Pfizer said there were no

By Morgan Lee, Susan Montoya Bryan and Anita Snow | Associated Press SANTA FE, N.M. — Videos released Thursday of this week’s deadly rampage in northwest New Mexico recorded a voice said to be the shooter urging police to “kill me” and officers rushing toward the 18-year-old gunman before fatally shooting him outside a church. “He is yelling on the Ring footage, ‘Come kill me,’” Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe said of Beau Wilson, the high school senior who authorities say killed three older women during the attack. “He’s making a stand, he has opportunities to run off, he does not use those opportunities,” Hebbe said. “So yes it’s my belief that ultimately in his head, he has made the decision that he is going to stand and fight it out until he is killed.” Three older woman were killed Monday by the shooter, including a mother and daughter who happened to be driving through the neighborhood. The victims were identified as longtime Farmington residents Gwendolyn Schofield, 97, her 73-year-old daughter, Melody Ivie, and 79-year-old Shirley Voita. At least six other people were wounded in

CONCORD — A 38-year-old man was in county jail after his arrest in connection with a fatal stabbing this week, authorities said. According to a statement posted to social media Thursday, police said officers responded to a home described as near Port Chicago Way around 4 p.m. Wednesday. When officers arrived at the home, they found a 66-year-old man who had suffered multiple stab wounds. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity was not available from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office coroner’s division Thursday evening. Soon after, officers took the man’s roommate, a 38-year-old man, into custody and arrested him on suspicion of homicide in connection with the stabbing. He was booked into Martinez county jail. Police declined to release additional details, citing an ongoing investigation, but said anyone with information may call Concord police Det. James Nielsen at 925-603-5817 and reference Case No. 23-05129. Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.

Liam Hendriks’ return to the mound for the Chicago White Sox has been a moment fans have been looking forward to since the news of his cancer was announced in January. No one knew whether it even would be possible for Hendriks to come back from non-Hodgkin lymphoma this season, so having him back in late May seems like a gift. It’s a tribute to Hendriks’ perseverance and work ethic, two traits that have defined his baseball journey and made him an elite closer. Hendriks was not available to speak with the media Thursday when he returned to White Sox Park to map out the next steps in his rehab, which includes a bullpen session or throwing live batting practice Friday. How Hendriks feels Saturday will determine whether he returns to the minors for more work, gets activated over the weekend or waits for the upcoming trip to Cleveland and Detroit. Manager Pedro Grifol said before Thursday’s game that the Sox haven’t discussed where to start him if he’s indeed ready. “The preference is making sure he’s Liam Hendriks, or close to it,” he said.

By Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor | Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has overestimated the value of the weapons it has sent to Ukraine by at least $3 billion — an accounting error that could be a boon for the war effort because it will allow the Defense Department to send more weapons now without asking Congress for more money. The acknowledgment Thursday comes at a time when Pentagon is under increased pressure by Congress to show accountability for the billions of dollars it has sent in weapons, ammunition and equipment to Ukraine and as some lawmakers question whether that level of support should continue. It also could free up more money for critical weapons as Ukraine is on the verge of a much anticipated counteroffensive — which will require as much military aid as they can get. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously said the offensive was delayed because they did not yet have everything they needed. The error was caused when officials overvalued some of the systems sent to Ukraine, using the value of money it would cost to replace an

With the NFL draft over, the Ravens have turned their attention to the undrafted market. Baltimore entered the draft with 63 players and made six picks, leaving space to add a big class. Here’s a look at the announced additions: SMU offensive lineman Jaylon Thomas: The Ravens added more depth to their offensive line with the signing of the 6-foot-5, 311-pound Thomas. Thomas was a four-year starter at SMU, where he played all five positions along the line but primarily operated at left tackle as a sophomore and junior. The Mustangs ranked seventh nationally in passing offense (316.7 yards per game) and 15th in total offense (472.8) last season. His addition marks the fifth rookie offensive lineman the Ravens have added over the last few weeks after Baltimore drafted Sala Aumavae-Laulu and Andrew Vorhees and signed Brandon Kipper and Tashawn Manning as undrafted free agents. Vorhees will miss the season, though, as he rehabs his torn ACL. Ball State safety Jaquan Amos: The Ravens on Monday signed the 6-foot, 194-pound Amos, who spent last season at Ball State after one year at Iowa State and