Category: Bay Area

Shiny Shoe is a small San Francisco studio that has big hopes for its latest project “Inkbound: Rise of the Unbound.” The game was released in Early Access on Steam a little over a year ago, and a few weeks from now on April 10, the online roguelike game is being fully released. The team found success with its previous title, “Monster Train,” a roguelike deckbuilder, and “Inkbound” follows the same path. It mixes elements of that game and other tiles such as “Slay the Spire” and incorporates into a turn-based combat that also requires positioning. It’s more tactical as players have to figure out safe spots to avoid enemy attacks while also finding efficient ways to damage as many enemies as possible with an attack. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. The element that truly sets “Inkbound” apart is its co-op multiplayer features. The game supports up to four players and they all make decisions in real time as they move about the battlefield. They also have a shared environment in the city of Atheneum. That’s where players can see each other’s gear

ANTIOCH – The Antioch City Council’s meeting to discuss a ceasefire in Gaza was canceled Tuesday evening after a majority of the council failed to show up. The public was not able to hear a scheduled discussion on the council’s potential stance on the Israel-Hamas war because councilmembers Mike Barbanica, Lori Ogorchock and Monica Wilson did not attend the meeting. The reasons for their absence were not publicly provided. When it became clear the hearing could not move forward, Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker stood outside the City Hall doors, visibly upset. About 25 residents showed up to the meeting Torres-Walker first called for in January. “I think that we should all be on the right side of history at this moment,” Torres-Walker told a group of residents waiting outside. “And we should all be grieved by what we have seen and what we have witnessed.” Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe, the only other elected leader in attendance, remained behind the council dais. While the lack of a quorum extinguished Antioch’s discussion on a ceasefire resolution, the matter has been taken up by other Bay Area cities. Richmond became the first municipality

The Los Gatos Town council voted Tuesday to allocate $60,000 for initiatives to support the town’s homeless population in the next fiscal year’s budget. The unanimous vote came after last April’s allocation of $50,000 to support services for the unhoused, $10,000 of which went to a program that provides access to showers, $20,000 for a temporary restroom and $20,000 to fund a program that provides hotel rooms in Los Gatos for homeless residents during extreme weather. The council reallocated $1,417.50 in surplus funds to keep the temporary restroom open for the remainder of the current fiscal year. The town’s efforts to support its unhoused population were bolstered by a $50,000 grant it received from Santa Clara County last December. The council also voted to remove extreme heat as a factor that would activate the hotel program in an effort to extend the funding for that program. Assistant town manager Katy Nomura recommended that council members remove extreme heat as a factor because the Los Gatos Library already serves as a cooling center in the summer. “The risk that comes with extreme heat is the prolonged exposure,”

Faye Carol might seem like she’s hoarding the world’s greatest drummers, but the dynamic jazz and blues singer is more than happy to share. Over the past decade, working with her longtime pianist Joe Warner, she’s produced dozens of concerts and events around the region showcasing leading horn players and under-appreciated Black women singers. But the Berkeley vocalist keeps a special place in her heart for the drummers “who are the base of any good trio or group,” she said. Working with San Jose Jazz, Carol is bringing her “Give the Drummer Some” series to the SJZ Breakroom for monthly concerts and free workshops. The program opened with sessions featuring drummers Sylvia Cuenca and Dante Roberson and continues March 21 with Dennis Chambers, a former child prodigy who joined Parliament-Funkadelic in 1978 at 18, a gig that lasted until 1985. A near legendary figure who gained international renown touring and recording with John Scofield, Chambers played with just about every major jazz fusion artist of the past 40 years. He’s so strongly associated with the plugged-in style that “a lot of people don’t know I

Johnny Depp is back in the news this week over newly resurfaced allegations that he indulged in out-of-control behavior on a 2001 movie set and was verbally abusive towards a woman. Depp has denied the allegations, which come from actor Lola Glaudini and go back to when she did a scene with him in his drug-crime drama, “Blow.” Glaudini has said that Depp had a meltdown on her first day on the set after he perceived that she tried to break his focus during a dramatic monologue. She said he hurled expletives at her, called her an “idiot” and told her to “shut the (expletive) up.” In a statement to Deadline, Depp’s representatives told Deadline: “Johnny always prioritizes good working relationships with cast and crew and this recounting differs greatly from the recollection of other members on set at the time.” HOLLYWOOD, CA – NOVEMBER 02: Actress Lola Glaudini attends the opening night of “Hedwig And The Angry Inch” at the Pantages Theatre on November 2, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)  Glaudini, best known for her role in “Criminal Minds,” shared

Mission San Juan Capistrano bell ringers Michael Gastelum, left, and Nathan Banda, both Acjachemen Indians, take part in the traditional ceremony welcoming swallows back to Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Sudents from Mission Basilica School perform during St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Costumed students from Mission Basilica School get ready to perform during St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Lori Gutierrez rings a 1937 school bell during the St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Kindergarten students from Mission Basilica School perform a dance during the St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) People wait

A 15-year-old female passenger in a stolen vehicle died following an Orange Police pursuit that ended in a collision in Long Beach, authorities said in a statement Tuesday. The pursuit, which was initiated by the Orange Police Department, ended on the intersection of East 7th Street and Orange Avenue shortly after 1:30 a.m. on March 8, Long Beach Police said in a news release. A preliminary investigation revealed the stolen vehicle was heading westbound on 7th Street at high speed when it crashed into another vehicle at the intersection and lost control. The other driver sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene, the Long Beach Police Department said. The driver of the stolen vehicle fled on foot after the vehicle collided with five other parked vehicles. The 15-year-old passenger was hospitalized with multiple life-threatening injuries and later died on March 13, police said. Information on the suspect and whether any arrests have been made was not immediately available.

By Ramishah Maruf | CNN New York — Trader Joe’s is recalling select cashews from stores in 16 states because they may be contaminated with salmonella, the specialty grocer said Sunday. The affected 50% Less Salt Roasted and Salted Whole Cashews are sold in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Washington. Only four lots are recalled, Trader Joe’s said. Packages that are best before February 21, 2025; March 1 2025; March 8 2025; and March 10, 2025 are affected. The California-based, privately-owned grocer, which operates more than 500 stores in 43 states, said no illnesses have been reported yet. Customers who bought the affected products should throw them away or return to any Trader Joe’s location for a full refund. Earlier this month, 61,000 pounds of the brand’s popular steamed chicken soup dumplings were recalled due to possible contamination with hard plastic from a permanent marker. Last year, Trader Joe’s issued a cookie recall because some cookies because might contain rocks. The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company.

In an effort to better connect with its residents, the city of Saratoga is incorporating artificial intelligence into its operations. An AI company called Hamlet has contracted with Saratoga to put together council meeting agenda and meeting summaries, as well as planning commission meeting summaries, in the form of newsletters and articles on Hamlet’s website. The company uses a template that city staff put together and then uses an AI model to translate the content of a city document or meeting recording into an article. Saratoga has a yearlong contract with Hamlet for $12,000 which is set to end on June 30, according to Mayor Yan Zhao. Hamlet founder Sunil Rajaraman said the eight-person company, which was founded just last year, is working on expanding its operations to offer the same services to other  Bay Area cities. “We’re backed by some investors and hopefully we can succeed or at our mission, and that’s to work with cities and other types of customers who value the government data that comes from city council meetings and planning commission meetings,” he said. To cover the possibility of mistakes

March 11 SOLICITING, RESISTING OFFICERS: 10:32 a.m. at San Tomas Expressway and Highway 17. A man was panhandling within 500 feet of a freeway off-ramp. During contact, he made threats to kill officers. RETAIL THEFT: 7:56 p.m. in the 1800 block of South Bascom Avenue. Two suspects entered a store and stole approximately $450 worth of merchandise. March 12 PETTY THEFT: 5:15 p.m. in the 1500 block of Campbell Avenue. Someone came into a store and stole cigarettes. ROBBERY: 3:08 p.m. in the 900 block of West Hamilton Avenue. Three males wearing masks smashed display cases and stole purses. BATTERY: 10:45 p.m. in the 900 block of Ravenscourt Avenue. The suspect threw something at the victim and hit him in the face. DISORDERLY CONDUCT, VANDALISM: 9:57 p.m. in the 00 block of West Hamilton Avenue. A man caused a disturbance trying to fight and threw things in a store. He broke a window to the store, causing damage in excess of $400. He was found to be under the influence of alcohol and unable to care for the safety of himself or others. PETTY THEFT:

By Melissa Alonso | CNN A 2-year-old died after being struck by a truck with a 3-year-old behind the wheel, police in Northern California said. Authorities got call that a child had been hit by a vehicle near a gas station Saturday afternoon, the Woodland Police Department said in a statement on Facebook. Investigators discovered a 2-year-old child had been hurt and taken by family members to a hospital where they passed away from their injuries, police said. Police tape surrounds a gas station where a 2-year-old was killed in Woodland, California.(Woodland Police Department via CNN Newsource)  The truck had been left running while parked at a gas pump with a 3-year-old in a car seat in the rear of the vehicle, the police statement said. The truck’s owner had gone inside the gas station store, police said. While he was inside the store, “the three-year-old got out of their car seat and got into the driver’s seat. The truck began moving forward and it collided with a two-year-old child who was near a taco stand on the edge of the lot,” the statement said.

Sunnyvale is getting financial assistance from the federal government to rebuild a local fire station in need of modernization. The city was recently awarded $1 million from the House Appropriations Committee to rebuild Fire Station 2, which houses a regionally recognized fire training facility. It is one of 15 community projects for which U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, the South Bay Democrat, secured almost $14.8 million in funding for fiscal year 2024-25. “We are grateful for Rep. Khanna’s support and are delighted that renovating Fire Station 2 is one of his priority projects to receive federal funding,” Sunnyvale said in a statement to The Mercury News. “Not only will this project improve our local emergency response and increase emergency preparedness, it will help meet critical regional training demands in a modern, sustainable facility.” Other nearby projects include $1.05 million for Sunnyvale Community Services — a nonprofit emergency assistance agency that targets homelessness and hunger issues in Santa Clara County — to improve their facilities, $850,000 for Cupertino to rebuild the nearly century-old McClellan Road pedestrian bridge and $500,000 for Milpitas to install streetlights and signal improvements along Main

“My fear of moving stairs is escalating.” — graffiti Many less-experienced players are fearful of leaving the missing trumps undrawn. A list of good reasons to wait would be a yard long. At today’s six spades, South took the ace of clubs, unblocked his ace of hearts and drew all the trumps, ending in dummy. He threw his club loser on the king of hearts and next led the queen of diamonds. East took the ace and led another club. Declarer ruffed (with his last trump) and took his king of diamonds. He would have been safe if diamonds had split 3-2, but when East discarded, South had to lose a diamond to West’s nine. He went down two. TOO SOON Beware the risks of drawing trumps too soon! South can take only the A-K, then pitch a club on the king of hearts and lead the queen of diamonds. East wins and leads a club, and South ruffs and leads a diamond to dummy’s jack. When East can’t ruff, South returns a trump to his hand and runs the diamonds to make the slam.

TODAY’S WORD — KNICKERS (KNICKERS: NIK-ers: Loose-fitting pants gathered at the knee.) Average mark 25 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 32 or more words in KNICKERS? The list will be published tomorrow. YESTERDAY’S WORD — PROSAIC pair pica rasp orca sari scar scarp scrap soap soar sora spar spica aspic capo capris carp ciao coir copra corps craps crisp crop 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.

A house that sold for $5.2 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Palo Alto in the past week. In total, 13 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $2.5 million, $1,489 per square foot. The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of March 11 even if the property may have been sold earlier. 10. $1.4 million, condominium in the 400 block of Grant Ave. The property in the 400 block of Grant Ave. in Palo Alto has new owners. The price was $1,420,000. The condominium was built in 1962 and has a living area of 1,362 square feet. The price per square foot is $1,043. The condominium features three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Grant Avenue 9. $1.5 million, condominium in the 400 block of Cesano Court The 1,760 square-foot condominium in the 400 block of Cesano Court has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in March and the total purchase price was $1,455,000, $827

Dear Amy: My stepson and his wife and 3-year-old daughter live in Hawaii. My wife and I are on the West Coast. We visit them several times a year, and they visit over the Christmas holidays when they can. The times we spend together are always warm and drama-free. We’re on good terms, and I adore them. My one issue is our daughter-in-law. While sweet as she can be, she video-calls every day, often more than once, to recite the minutiae of her day. Honestly, it can be quite tedious. Sure, it’s good to see our toddler granddaughter, even when she’s being difficult or disinterested, but these unscheduled video calls can run 10, 15, 20 minutes each, and too often happen during meals or when we’re reading, watching television, or drifting off to sleep. We have other children and grandchildren whom we speak with about once a week. This amount of contact is delightful and reasonable. I have gently mentioned the annoyance to my wife, who mostly agrees, but cannot bring herself to set a few boundaries for fear of hurting our daughter-in-law’s feelings. After

400 Pamlar Avenue – Google Street View A 1,338-square-foot house built in 1952 has changed hands. The property located in the 400 block of Pamlar Avenue in San Jose was sold on March 6, 2024, for $1,840,000, or $1,375 per square foot. The layout of this single-story house consists of two bedrooms and one bath. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. Additionally, the house features a two-car garage, providing ample room for vehicles and storage needs. Situated on a spacious 8,704-square-foot lot, the property offers ample outdoor space. Additional houses that have recently been purchased close by include: On Pamlar Avenue, San Jose, in May 2023, a 1,344-square-foot home was sold for $1,570,000, a price per square foot of $1,168. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. In November 2022, a 1,670-square-foot home on Almarida Drive in San Jose sold for $1,730,000, a price per square foot of $1,036. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. A 1,642-square-foot home on the 1400 block of Ramita Court in San Jose sold in July 2023, for $1,675,000, a price per square

SAN JOSE – A driver hit and killed a pedestrian Tuesday night on northbound Highway 101 in San Jose, according to the California Highway Patrol. The fatal collision was reported around 9:20 p.m. south of McKee Road, CHP Officer Ross Lee said. Additional details about the crash were not immediately available. Lee said the left two lanes of northbound Highway 101 were closed south and north of McKee Road. There was no estimated time for them to reopen. The fatal collision is the second in five days on South Bay freeways to involve a pedestrian. On Friday, the CHP arrested a 27-year-old San Jose man on suspicion of drunken driving after he hit and killed a pedestrian on southbound Interstate 280 at the Vine Street off-ramp. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

SAN JOSE – The ex-president and CEO of a Santa Clara-based metal finishing company who improperly used corporate funds to buy jewelry from Tiffany & Co. and lease a Ferrari has been sentenced to 2½ years in federal prison, according to authorities. Harry Corl III, 71, of Pittsburg, was also ordered Tuesday to pay $253,625 in restitution to 30 former employees and shareholders, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release. A grand jury indicted Corl on several wire fraud and money laundering counts in November 2018. Last September, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. From 2008 to 2014, Corl and his estranged wife, Kim Corl, served as executive officers for Nu-Metal Finishing Inc. and trustees of its employee stock ownership plan, prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum. The plan provided retirement benefits and savings to employees by purchasing and investing stock for their benefit. The couple, as trustees, had a duty to manage the plan’s cash, stock and assets in the best interest of the employee shareholders, according to prosecutors. Instead, from 2011 to 2014, Corl used Nu-Metal’s accounts

Sacred Heart Cathedral 6, No. 1 Valley Christian 3 Perfection is no more for Valley Christian, the San Jose powerhouse that had dominated most of its opponents during the early stages of this season. In the opener of a two-game West Catholic Athletic League series on Tuesday at Sacred Heart Cathedral, the home team erupted for five runs in the third inning to erase a three-run deficit and held on for the shocking triumph against MaxPreps’ 11th-ranked team in the country. Tate Medicoff’s three-run homer off ace Quinten Marsh ignited the big inning for SHC after Valley Christian scored three in the top half of the frame. Aaron Louis added a hit and two RBIs and Barclay Ovalle had a hit and scored twice for SHC, which had lost eight in a row to Valley Christian dating to 2017 and was 3-33 against the Warriors in the MaxPreps era, which began in 2004. Brock Ketelsen, Kole Laubach and Nathan Choi each knocked in a run for Valley, which had moved from No. 2 to No. 1 in the Bay Area News Group rankings earlier Tuesday.

CAMPBELL — Leigh received some outstanding pitching and just enough hitting Tuesday to win at Westmont 2-0. A week and a half into the divisional season, the Longhorns are the only undefeated team in the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s Mt. Hamilton Division at 3-0. They had three pitchers combine on the shutout — Lance Takamura, who went the first four innings, Dylan Christian, who pitched the fifth, and Ollie Obenour, who closed it out, going the last two innings. “All three of them were fantastic on the mound, throwing strikes, getting ahead,” Leigh coach Drew Marino said. And that’s kind of the way it’s gone so far this season. Leigh is 6-3 overall (the three losses are to Valley Christian, Mitty and Los Gatos) and has allowed a total of 10 runs in those six wins. And all that after Stanford-commit Dom Panella had to exit Leigh’s season opener Feb. 20 vs. St. Francis after three innings, and has not returned.to the mound. “We’ve had some guys fill in and have kind of done it by committee,” Marino said. “We hope to have Dom back