Category: Bay Area

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have the privilege of working from home as an executive assistant to a veterinary medicine professional. My job requires me to manage a lot of on-call appointments and real-time scheduling, which demands focus and attention. While I enjoy the flexibility of working from home, it comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest disruptions is my neighbor, who has a habit of dropping by unannounced. Although I genuinely enjoy her company and value our friendship, these interruptions are starting to affect my productivity. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to balance being polite with staying on top of my responsibilities. I don’t want to hurt her feelings or come across as unfriendly, but I need to find a way to set clear boundaries. How can I communicate this in a way that preserves our friendly relationship while ensuring I can focus on my work? — Need Space DEAR NEED SPACE: Get or make a sign that says “Busy Working” or “Do Not Disturb — Working,” and hang it on your door. Or, if necessary, lock your door. Talk to your neighbor

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Our family celebrates many holidays with a group dinner. Those family members who have the space take turns hosting. The host provides the main dish and a few sides, and everyone else contributes something to the meal. This has worked fine up until a few years ago. Now my niece and her husband bring containers from home to fill with leftovers, even loading their plates with more than they could possibly eat so that that food can be taken home, too. This year, I am hosting, and plan to offer a meat-based meal. My niece and her husband are vegetarians, so they will only be able to eat the entree I prepare separately for them. How can the hosts address this issue in the future without appearing rude or mean? The couple has more than enough resources to support themselves. GENTLE READER: Your solution is clever, if a bit devious and indirect. If you want to be more forthright — or if you tire of cooking all that meat — when the couple breaks out the containers, Miss Manners suggests you say

GILROY — Authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding a man who went missing earlier this week in unincorporated Gilroy. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in finding 21-year-old Gabriel Laradelara, who was last seen driving near Monterey Road and Rucker Avenue in unincorporated Gilroy on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office)  Gabriel Laradelara, 21, was last seen driving his black 2003 Infiniti FX45 near Monterey Road and Rucker Avenue on Sunday, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. The Infiniti was later found abandoned on the side of the roadway, authorities said. The sheriff’s office described Laradelara as Latino, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and 140 pounds, with short black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information related to the case can contact the sheriff’s office at 408-808-4500 or the investigative services anonymous tip line at 408-808-4431 or pio@shf.sccgov.org. Check back for updates.

OAKLAND — A pair of Pleasanton police officers cannot be held criminally liable for fatally shooting a 33-year-old San Jose man more than two years ago, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announced Thursday on her final day in office. The police killing was one of six Price set out to re-examine with her Public Accountability Unit, or PAU. On Feb. 17, 2022, Officers Mario Guillermo and Brian Jewell shot and killed Cody Chavez while responding to a domestic violence call in the 4800 block of Willow Road. The PAU reviewed former DA Nancy O’Malley’s report on the case, police department policies and case file materials, including body-worn camera footage, investigative reports and witness statements, according to the district attorney’s office. “While this is certainly a tragic outcome and series of events, the PAU has concluded that Officers Guillermo and Jewell cannot be held criminally liable for the killing of Mr. Chavez,” the office said in a news release. “The prosecution cannot prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the use of lethal force by Officers Jewell and Guillermo was unjustified.” There were, however, “lessons to

By RON HIGGINS The Associated Press BATON ROUGE, La. — Mikaylah Williams scored a season-high 32 points, including a game-tying jumper with 4.3 seconds left that sent the game to overtime, and No. 5 LSU remained unbeaten with a 94-88 comeback win over Stanford on Thursday night. Williams also scored six of the Tigers’ 14 overtime points, including a shot-clock-beating 3-pointer with 38 seconds that was the dagger. Stanford (7-2), which led for almost 38½ minutes, was led by Nunu Agara, who had 29 points and 13 rebounds. Brooke Demetre added 19 points, Elena Bosgana 16 and Jzaniya Harriel 15. Reserve guard Kailyn Gilbert had 25 points (five in overtime) for LSU (10-0), and Flau’Jae Johnson contributed 21 points before fouling out with 1:05 left in overtime. Takeaways Stanford: The Cardinal stayed in a 2-3 defensive zone, hoping LSU’s impatience would lead to quick outside shots from a team with just two legit 3-point shooters. The Tigers managed to stay within striking distance by scoring off turnovers, including one that allowed Williams hit the tying jumper with 4.3 seconds left. LSU: The Tigers hadn’t played

By The Associated Press BERKELEY — Kayla Williams scored 21 points and California handed No. 19 Alabama its first loss 69-65 in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Thursday night. Ionna Krimili, who had 19 points, made three free throws in the last half minute to seal the win for the Bears (8-1), who never led by more than six, that coming when Krimili made two free throws with 26.6 seconds seconds to play. Christabel Ezumah then made 1 of 2 from the line for Alabama, making it 68-63 with 19.1 seconds left but Krimili, who came in 25 of 28 from the line for the season, missed two free throws. Zaay Green scored inside for the Tide before Krimili missed her third straight free throw before icing the game with six seconds remaining. Mara Suarez added 16 points for Cal, which picked up its fourth win against a 2024 NCAA Tournament team and the highest-ranked win since beating No. 13 Arizona on March 1, 2020. The Golden Beas haven’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2019. Green led Alabama (9-1) with 28 points, Essence Cody added

Bay Area Home Report 2784 Corey Place – Google Street View The spacious property located in the 2700 block of Corey Place in San Ramon was sold on Oct. 24, 2024. The $1,650,000 purchase price works out to $730 per square foot. The house, built in 1977, has an interior space of 2,260 square feet. This two-story home boasts a generous living space with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The property is equipped with central A/C. In addition, the home includes an attached two-car garage. The lot of the property is substantial, measuring 9,900 square feet. Additional houses that have recently been sold close by include: A 2,087-square-foot home on the first block of Centennial Way in San Ramon sold in October 2024, for $1,625,500, a price per square foot of $779. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. In August 2024, a 3,308-square-foot home on Montevideo Court in San Ramon sold for $2,575,000, a price per square foot of $778. The home has 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. On Ellingson Way, San Ramon, in April 2023, a 2,260-square-foot home was sold for $1,715,000

The San Jose Sharks’ recent success exemplified how far they’ve come this season. The Sharks’ lopsided loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday showed how much they still need to improve. Looking listless from the start, the Sharks allowed five goals in the first period and never recovered in an unsightly 8-1 loss to the Lightning at Amalie Arena. The Sharks and goalie Vitek Vanecek allowed five goals on 12 shots in the first period, as the Lightning, in 86 seconds, turned a 1-0 lead into a 4-0 advantage by the 8:55 mark on a goal by Conor Geekie and two from Brandon Hagel. Vanecek was pulled after the first period in favor of Mackenzie Blackwood. However, it still didn’t prevent the Sharks from enduring their most lopsided loss since a 9-2 thrashing at the hands of Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on April 15 of last season. The Sharks’ three-game winning streak was snapped, and they have not won four straight games since going 4-0-0 to begin the 2021-2022 season. San Jose entered Thursday 14th in the Western Conference in point percentage

Bay Area Home Report 1468 Darlene Avenue – Google Street View A 1,887-square-foot house built in 1951 has changed hands. The property located in the 1400 block of Darlene Avenue in San Jose was sold on Oct. 28, 2024, for $2,215,000, or $1,174 per square foot. The layout of this single-story house consists of three bedrooms and two bathrooms. In addition, the house comes with a one-car garage, offering a designated parking space and extra storage capacity. The lot of the property is substantial, measuring 6,100 square feet. Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby: A 1,161-square-foot home on the 2300 block of Cherry Avenue in San Jose sold in May 2024, for $1,570,000, a price per square foot of $1,352. The home has 3 bedrooms 1 bathroom. In July 2022, a 2,457-square-foot home on Husted Avenue in San Jose sold for $2,050,000, a price per square foot of $834. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. On Maxine Avenue, San Jose, in September 2023, a 1,300-square-foot home was sold for $1,701,000, a price per square foot of $1,308. The home has 3 bedrooms

Fire breaks out at San Leandro scrap yard The blaze was reported Thursday afternoon at Davis Street and Doolittle Drive SAN LEANDRO – A fire broke out at a scrap yard Thursday afternoon in San Leandro, fire officials said. Firefighters were dispatched to the facility, located at Davis Street and Doolittle Drive, just before 4 p.m., according to Alameda County Fire Department spokesperson Cheryl Hurd. They arrived to find a “lot of smoke and flames,” she said. As of 4:45 p.m., the fire was not out but under control, Hurd said. Firefighters were using a truck ladder to pour water onto the blaze. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Hurd said. Check back for updates.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s office is putting its holiday spirit behind the fourth annual San Jose Toy Drive, an effort that’s grown exponentially in a short time and aims to distribute more than 30,000 toys to families at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds next weekend. That’s right. Even the mayor of the biggest city in San Jose has been drawn into the orbit of San Jose Foos, the megapopular social media account and civic influencer that has been part of the toy drive since 2021. “San Jose Foos is a social media phenomenon,” said Mahan, who recorded an Instagram video with San Jose Foos founder Anthony Gomez in front of City Hall last month. “We’ve tried to work together and promote good causes in the city, and this is a great initiative I want to be supportive of.” The effort could still use more toys before the distribution to about 10,000 pre-registered families next weekend. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off in person at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds or donors can contribute cash or buy something directly from the San Jose Toy

HAYWARD — A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in a June 26 shooting that left a 15-year-old boy dead and a 13-year-old boy wounded, police said Thursday. The suspect was arrested Wednesday at his Hayward home, authorities said. Police have so far not released a motive for the shooting, which happened about 2 a.m. June 26 in the 24000 block of 2nd Street. Authorities said it is believed the suspect and the victims were acquainted. The boy killed was Domonique Fank, of Rodeo. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The 13-year-old victim, a Hayward resident, got his own transportation to a hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening wounds. Police said the suspect was identified after “an extensive and complex investigation” by detectives, but did not provide any other details. The suspect was booked at Alameda County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of murder. The police investigation is continuing. Anyone with information related to the homicide is asked to call Detective Niedenthal at 510-293-7176.

Former “Full House” star Lori Loughlin has not spoken publicly about the two months she spent in the federal women’s prison in Dublin. Neither has “Desperate Housewives” actor Felicity Huffman. So, it’s not known if either TV star, convicted for their roles in the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal, was aware of the rampant sexual abuse inflicted on other female prisoners, allegedly by predatory employees, while the actresses were at the Federal Correctional Institution in 2019 and 2020. The Associated Press reported that sexual assault at the prison, its reputed “rape club” and its “toxic culture” persisted for years, a scandal that led to the convictions of several officials and to the prison being closed temporarily in April. Now, with federal officials announcing Tuesday that the prison would close for good, it’s possible that some of its famous former inmates would say “good riddance.” Actress Lori Loughlin, foreground, and her husband Mossimo Giannulli leave Moakley Federal Courthouse after a brief hearing on August 27, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)  In addition to Loughlin and Huffman, the prison has been

Despite impassioned pleas from dozens of residents opposing the project, 320 new homes — including a fraction set aside for senior housing — will be built on the east side of Morgan Hill over the coming years. Morgan Hill City Council approved the environmental review and rezoning for the new development — a move nearby residents – some who showed up with whiteboards and reports — worry will overburden roads with traffic and threaten their way of life and their safety. “We chose the city for its open space … Now it feels under siege,” said Matt Igel, who lives near the proposed development, at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. The proposed development features 320 residential units mostly made up of single-family homes with some senior housing. The project will be built on 69.4 acres of residential land by Hill Road and Barrett Ave by local developer Glenrock Builders. Late last month, the city council approved an environmental impact report for the project. The report showed that the development would cause unavoidable disruptions to the city’s agricultural land and add significantly to the traffic in the

300-plus unit San Jose housing tower could help fuel downtown revival First residents set to move into SoFA highrise (George Avalos/Bay Area News Group) The Fay, a 23-story, 336-unit apartment tower at 10 East Reed Street in downtown San Jose. A new housing tower in San Jose could help fuel a fledgling rebound for the city’s downtown. Originally Published: December 5, 2024 at 2:45 PM PST

The Giants announced on Thursday afternoon that they have hired Oscar Bernard and Damon Minor to serve as assistant hitting coaches under manager Bob Melvin and hitting coach Pat Burrell. Additionally, Taira Uematsu was promoted to major-league quality control coach. Bernard and Minor will replace Pedro Guerrero and Justin Viele, who both left the Giants to join the Marlins and Rangers, respectively. Along with Guerrero and Viele, Alyssa Nakken joined the Guardians while Bryan Price stepped down following one year as pitching coach. J.P. Martinez was subsequently elevated to pitching coach. With the additions of Bernard and Minor, the Giants have officially set their 2025 major-league coaching staff. Ryan Christenson (bench coach), Mark Hallberg (first base coach), Matt Williams (third base coach), Garvin Alston (bullpen coach) and Alex Burg (catching coach) will all return to their respective roles. Minor, 50, spent the previous nine seasons as the hitting coach for Triple-A Sacramento. Prior to that role, Minor served as the hitting instructor for Triple-A New Orleans of the Marlins’ organization. Minor was drafted by the Giants in the 12th round of the 1996 MLB Draft

Bay Area Home Report 726 Vonna Court – Google Street View A 1,828-square-foot house built in 1965 has changed hands. The property located in the 700 block of Vonna Court in San Jose was sold on Oct. 25, 2024. The $1,700,000 purchase price works out to $930 per square foot. The layout of this single-story home includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Inside, there is a fireplace. In addition, the home provides a garage. The property encompasses a generous 7,119 square feet of land. Additional houses have recently been sold nearby: A 1,777-square-foot home on the 700 block of Natoma Drive in San Jose sold in January 2024, for $1,615,000, a price per square foot of $909. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. In September 2023, a 1,516-square-foot home on El Sombroso Drive in San Jose sold for $1,525,000, a price per square foot of $1,006. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. On Chesbro Avenue, San Jose, in February 2024, a 2,299-square-foot home was sold for $1,250,000, a price per square foot of $544. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3

By Michael Kunzelman | Associated Press WASHINGTON — An imprisoned far-right extremist group leader who was the top target of the federal investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol balked at answering a prosecutor’s questions about the attack when he testified on Thursday at the trial of a police officer accused of leaking him confidential information. A federal judge warned former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio that he could face consequences, including an order holding him in contempt of court, if he continued to refuse to answer the prosecutor’s questions. Tarrio appeared to be heeding the judge’s warning before a lunch break interrupted his testimony. Tarrio, who is serving a 22-year prison sentence for a plot to keep Donald Trump in the White House after the 2020 election, waived his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when he agreed to testify as a defense witness at the bench trial of retired Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Shane Lamond. “What that means is you have to answer all the questions. You don’t get to pick and choose,” U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson

(George Avalos/Bay Area News Group) Downtown San Jose skyline, looking southwest from the Capital Club, May 2023. By George Avalos | gavalos@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: December 5, 2024 at 12:10 PM PST The upcoming shutdown of the Capital Club in downtown San Jose creates a void for business and political meetings locally. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.

BERKELEY — Berkeley is taking another step in its goal to “Keep Innovation in Berkeley” through a change in zoning laws that is meant to encourage companies conducting research and development to find a lasting home in the city. The Berkeley City Council voted Tuesday to permit labs studying biosafety levels 2 in mixed-use light industrial zoning areas while prohibiting level 3 and 4 uses in all parts of the city. A biosafety level 1 rating is given to labs that study toxins or agents not known to cause diseases in healthy adults, while level 2 has a moderate risk, according to the national Health and Human Services Department. Biosafety level 3 and 4 labs study agents that pose a greater risk to the public and are subject to stricter safety precautions. The approval, which includes a reduction in parking requirements, also calls for clearly stating that research and development labs are permitted in Berkeley’s mixed manufacturing district. Research and development labs under 20,000 square feet will be permitted with an administratively approved zoning certificate in areas around U.C. Berkeley, including the University Avenue commercial

As the Metropolitan Transportation Commission considers its options for a regional revenue measure for 2026 next week, leaders from Santa Clara County have notified the agency that they will not opt-in on its approach and could instead seek their own tax measure should polling data indicate voter support. Last month, members from the Valley Transportation Authority Board sent a letter to the commission indicating their position of maintaining greater control of local funds — emphasizing the need to receive a fair share — which they said was in the best interest of their taxpayers and the transit agencies operating in the county. “We’ve made clear that we have to have control over our own destiny and maintain, first and foremost, our own funding sources and services levels here,” said San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who was appointed vice chair of the VTA Board of Directors. The MTC is considering a regional funding measure to help struggling Bay Area transit operators like BART, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, and Caltrain, which are currently straddling the financial cliff. Between the struggling agencies in the nine Bay