Category: Bay Area

By MARK KENNEDY | AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK — Mary J. Blige, Cher, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & The Gang and Ozzy Osbourne have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a class that also includes folk-rockers Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton. Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton earned the Musical Influence Award, while the late Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick and Norman Whitfield will get the Musical Excellence Award. Pioneering music executive Suzanne de Passe won the Ahmet Ertegun Award. “Rock ‘n’ roll is an ever-evolving amalgam of sounds that impacts culture and moves generations,” John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said in a statement. “This diverse group of inductees each broke down musical barriers and influenced countless artists that followed in their footsteps.” The induction ceremony will be held Oct. 19 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. It will stream live on Disney+ with an airing on ABC at a later date and available on Hulu the next day. Those music acts nominated this year

349 Valley View Avenue – Google Street View A 1,413-square-foot house built in 1953 has changed hands. The property located in the 300 block of Valley View Avenue in San Jose was sold on April 9, 2024. The $1,500,000 purchase price works out to $1,062 per square foot. The layout of this single-story home consists of three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Inside, there is a fireplace. In addition, the house features a two-car garage, providing ample room for vehicles and storage needs. Situated on a spacious 9,150-square-foot lot, the property offers ample outdoor space. Additional houses that have recently been sold close by include: In August 2023, a 2,318-square-foot home on Gordon Avenue in San Jose sold for $1,560,000, a price per square foot of $673. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. On McKee Road, San Jose, in March 2024, a 2,289-square-foot home was sold for $1,750,000, a price per square foot of $765. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. A 2,173-square-foot home on the 200 block of Valley View Avenue in San Jose sold in February 2023, for $1,600,000, a

HAYWARD — A man and woman died of gunshot wounds here Saturday evening in what authorities are calling a murder/suicide. The incident occurred April 20. Police were called to the 3000 block of West Winton Avenue in Hayward a little after 6:20 p.m. for a report of two dead people inside a vehicle, authorities said. A 31-year-old woman — believed to be the homicide victim — was found in a front passenger seat. Police say a 36-year-old man also found deceased in the car likely shot her before he died by suicide. Neither decedent has been identified publicly, pending notification of their families, police said. A witness overheard the two arguing shortly before the gunshots rang out, police said. The woman’s death was Hayward’s third homicide of 2024. Anyone with information can call the assigned homicide detective at 510-293-7176.

The San Jose Earthquakes’ miserable season continued Sunday night with a loss to one of their longest and fiercest rivals. The Earthquakes fell behind by three goals by the 30th minute in the first half, digging a hole they couldn’t fully escape in a 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Cali Clasico in Carson. The Earthquakes, in their 100th meeting with the Galaxy, trailed 4-1 when Los Angeles midfielder Riqui Puig scored in the 56th minute. San Jose later rallied to cut Los Angeles’ lead to one. Twelve minutes after Benjamin Kikanovic scored in the 58th minute, Galaxy defender Eriq Zavaleta was given a red card, opening the door for Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse to score on a penalty kick in the 72nd minute. But with the Galaxy playing with 10 men, the Quakes could not find the equalizer as they were sent to their fourth straight loss. A year after finishing in ninth place in the Western Conference’s regular season standings with a 10-10-14 record, San Jose, at 1-8-0, remains in 14th place this year. The Earthquakes are already nine points

OAKLAND — A person was shot Sunday afternoon, but showed up to the hospital on their own shortly thereafter, police said. The victim, who police have not identified by gender or age, was shot around 2 p.m. Sunday on the 500 block of Hegenberger Road in Oakland. The victim arrived at the hospital shortly after officers responded to reports of a shooting at the location, police said. No arrests have been announced and police have not said if they pinpointed the suspected motive. No suspect information was immediately available. The victim is expected to survive. Anyone with information can contact OPD’s Felony Assault Unit at 510-238-3426.

EL SOBRANTE — In what should hardly come as a surprise to any who has been paying attention, police here raided two massage parlors on Appian Way as part of an investigation into sex trafficking at both locations, authorities said. One of the locations, on the 4400 block of Appian Way, has been the subject of at least four separate undercover operations since 2018, and each one resulted in either a “masseuse” offering sexual services to an undercover cop, or a police raid where incriminating evidence was seized. The other location, on the 400 block of Appian Way, had also been the subject of a 2021 prostitution investigation, according to police and court records. This latest investigation was twofold; police raided both locations back in February, then followed it up by going to the Hayward home a person believed to be involved in the operation of one of the brothels, where police seized more than $9,000 in cash, authorities said. Both brothels were raided after undercover officers went to both locations and were allegedly solicited by sex workers. In one case, a woman there actually

SAN JOSE — A San Jose man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for his involvement in a plot to rob a drug dealer in Union City, one that authorities say was thwarted thanks to a massive wiretap operation. Kyle Leonis was sentenced last month by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, after he pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit a robbery. Leonis was charged as part of a massive investigation aimed at the Nuestra Familia prison gang and several Norteño street gangs it controls, mostly based in San Jose. Prosecutors contend that Leonis is a “sixth generation” member of a Norteño subset based in San Jose, but his attorney denied this and says that Leonis is at most an “associate” of a few young men who are gang members. The 2018 plot to rob the Union City home was discussed in detail while authorities were wiretapping gang members’ phones, according to court records. After the FBI raided the home of the drug dealer they intended to rob, the co-conspirators allegedly talked about how there was likely “a rat”

By DÁNICA COTO (Associated Press) SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s Republican Party held a district assembly on Sunday and awarded former President Donald Trump all 23 of their national delegates. About 77% of the 1,340 members that make up the U.S. territory’s Republican Party participated, according to Angel Cintron, who heads the GOP there. He said they held a caucus-style vote that decided how Puerto Rico’s delegates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July will pledge their votes. Twenty delegates and 20 alternates were chosen. Trump effectively clinched his party’s nomination earlier this year. As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico does not participate in the presidential elections but does vote in primaries for the eventual nominees. Politics in Puerto Rico is dictated by the political status people believe the island should have: statehood, independence or the territorial status quo. Several prominent members of the island’s Republican Party had announced ahead of the district assembly that they do not support Trump.

By Josef Federman | Associated Press JERUSALEM — Israeli leaders on Sunday harshly criticized an expected decision by the U.S. to impose sanctions on a unit of ultra-Orthodox soldiers in the Israeli military. The decision, expected as soon as Monday, would mark the first time the U.S. has ever imposed sanctions on a unit inside the Israeli military and would further strain relations between the two allies, which have grown increasingly tense during Israel’s war in Gaza. While U.S. officials declined to identify the unit expected to be sanctioned, Israeli leaders and local media identified it as Netzah Yehuda — an infantry battalion founded roughly a quarter of a century ago to incorporate ultra-Orthodox men into the military. Many religious men receive exemptions from what is supposed to be compulsory service. Israeli leaders condemned the anticipated decision as unfair, especially at a time when Israel is at war, and vowed to oppose it. “If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit in the IDF, I will fight it with all my might,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Netzah Yehuda, or Judea Forever, has

By Danica Kirka | Associated Press LONDON — London’s police commissioner will meet with senior members of the Jewish community on Monday after the force bungled its apology for suggesting an “openly Jewish” man’s presence along the route of a pro-Palestinian march risked provoking the demonstrators. Amid calls for his resignation, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley is also expected to meet with London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary James Cleverly, who together are responsible for law and order in the city. “We remain focused on doing everything possible to ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe in this city,” the Metropolitan Police Service said in a statement Sunday. “We know recent events and some of our recent actions have contributed to concerns felt by many.” The meeting comes as London police struggle to manage tensions sparked by the Israel-Hamas war, with some Jewish residents saying they feel threatened by repeated pro-Palestinian marches through the streets of the U.K. capital. The marches have been largely peaceful. However, many demonstrators accuse Israel of genocide and a small number have shown support for Hamas, the group that led the

A man was punched in the face by an unidentified knife-wielding suspect in North Fair Oaks, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. The attack took place at the intersection of 8th Avenue and Middlefield Road at around 12:31 a.m. as the male victim, who the police have not named, was exiting his car. “The victim was exiting his car when the suspect approached him, punched him, and fled on foot,” the San Mateo County Sheriff said in a press release. “The suspect was last seen running eastbound on 8th Avenue.” The victim sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for medical treatment. The suspect stole personal property from him, according to sheriff’s officials. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Deputy Michael Nelson at mnelson@smcgov.org or 650-363-4911. The anonymous tip line can be reached at 1-800-547-2700.

School centennial The Fremont Union High School District is hosting a Centennial Celebration for Fremont High School Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The event features open houses at Fremont High School and the district’s adult school, located at 575 and 589 W. Fremont Ave. in Sunnyvale. A War Memorial Dedication is set for 11:45 a.m. at Fremont High School. The adult school will host demonstrations of its art and dance classes and tours of new classrooms from noon-1:30 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.fuhsd.org/newsroom/fuhsd-centennial-celebration.  Affordable housing opens Meridian, an affordable housing development in Sunnyvale, was set to hold its grand opening on Tuesday April 23. Developed by Related California and funded by Housing Trust Silicon Valley, a nonprofit community loan fund, the 90-unit development includes studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom rental units for low-income households. Twenty-three of these units have been prioritized for households with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tenants were chosen by lottery from among 809 applicants in January. Meridian consists of seven townhomes located on a 1.44-acre, city-owned site at the northwest corner of West Iowa and South Meridian avenues. The development is for households that

One showroom at Lucid One, the headquarters of Lucid Motors in Newark, includes a display of stators, the electric motor component that helps create a magnetic field. It’s a mini-museum and geek-out showcase for electric vehicle engineering enthusiasts. But it’s far more interesting and entertaining when Peter Rawlinson is there gushing with unbridled enthusiasm. He holds up the part used by Tesla, his former employer, and the counterpart used by Toyota. He explains why Lucid’s version is superior, detailing the craftsmanship of its tightly interwoven copper tapestry and how other EV manufacturers fall short. Rawlinson, who lives in Foster City by way of his upbringing in South Wales, is the company’s CEO, head technology officer and formerly the chief vehicle engineer of Tesla. Rawlinson and Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, are not best friends. Lucid, which began selling cars in October 2021, delivered 6,001 vehicles in 2023. Tesla, the dominant EV carmaker, delivered 1.8 million vehicles globally and 491,000 in the United States last year. Rawlinson’s recent appearance before about a dozen journalists occurred impromptu during the second session of a media visit. He spoke only via

What is a GLS 600? The GLS 600 is an ultra luxury full size SUV built in the Vance, Alabama assembly plant, and sold worldwide by Mercedes Benz. The Maybach brand is at the top of the Mercedes Benz S Class lineup of luxury vehicles, and is built with an exquisitely furnished and extra indulgent cabin. With a long list of luxury innovations, the best technology, and a high performance drive train, it’s wrapped up in ultra comfort. Maybach vehicles are known for their quality and top tier luxury appointments and options, and they are often owned by royalty and dignitaries. Maybachs’s are typically long and large, with spacious interiors and plenty of features. They’re also quite expensive, like all ultra luxury vehicles, with window stickers starting around $200,000. The base price of the 2024 Mercedes Maybach GLS class starts at $175,500 and goes up to $200,500 depending on the trim, plus options. If you’re in the market for a high dollar luxury SUV, then you have found the brand you have been looking for. Owning and driving a Maybach makes a statement that you

By Samya Kullab and Elise Morton | Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian and Western leaders on Sunday welcomed a desperately needed aid package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, as the Kremlin warned that passage of the bill would “further ruin” Ukraine and cause more deaths. Ukrainian leaders and analysts say the long-awaited $61 billion military aid package — including $13.8 billion for Ukraine to buy weapons — will help slow Russia’s incremental advances in the war’s third year — but that more will likely be needed for Kyiv to regain the offensive. The House swiftly approved $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies in a rare Saturday session as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had warned that his country would lose the war without U.S. funding, said that he was grateful for the decision of U.S. lawmakers. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Zelenskyy said that the aid package would “send the Kremlin a powerful signal that (Ukraine)

By Mohammad Jahjouh and Samy Magdy | Associated Press RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli strikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah overnight killed 22 people, including 18 children, health officials said Sunday, as the United States was on track to approve billions of dollars of additional military aid to Israel, its close ally. Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million has sought refuge from fighting elsewhere. It has also vowed to expand its ground offensive against the Hamas militant group to the city on the border with Egypt despite international calls for restraint, including from the U.S. “In the coming days, we will increase the political and military pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to bring back our hostages and achieve victory. We will land more and painful blows on Hamas – soon,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. He didn’t give details. The first Israeli strike in Rafah killed a man, his wife and their 3-year-old child, according to the nearby Kuwaiti Hospital, which received the

Police transparency portal Milpitas recently launched a Police Department Transparency Portal, an online platform aimed at providing the public with a deeper insight into police operations, policies and community engagement initiatives. “Our commitment to transparency is paramount in fostering trust with the community we serve,” Milpitas Police Chief Jared Hernandez said in a release. “The launch of this portal marks a proactive stride toward open communication, accountability and ongoing improvement within our department.” The portal’s resources include annual reports detailing department activities, crime rates and staffing efforts; insights into employee demographics, including ethnic and gender breakdowns of sworn and professional staff; public access to the department’s policies, procedures and guidelines; updates on community outreach programs, events and initiatives; information on programs and initiatives designed to promote physical, mental and emotional well-being among department personnel; and access to detailed data on use-of-force incidents by officers, including demographic breakdowns and outcomes. The transparency portal is accessible on the Milpitas Police Department’s website at https://www.milpitas.gov/1098/Transparency-Portal. New chancellor After serving as interim chancellor of the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District since last July, Dr. Beatriz Chaidez was named to

The term “school lunches” often elicits a memory of half-frozen pizzas and bags of limp carrots, but not for students in the Los Gatos Union School District. The district has been working with the Los Gatos-based nonprofit Plant-Based Advocates to incorporate more plant-based options into the district’s meal plans this academic year, an effort that has resulted in a diverse cafeteria menu that’s exposing students to alternatives to animal products at a young age. That means that students have access to options like JUST Egg, a plant-based egg alternative, vegan cheeses, “chick’n” sandwiches and even a variety of plant-based milks. Kerry Billner, director of child nutrition services at the district, said Fisher Middle School became one of the first schools in the state to offer a plant-based milk dispenser after one was installed in the school cafeteria last September. Fisher also has a dairy milk dispenser to help reduce milk carton waste. Billner said students have been unexpectedly receptive to the alternative milk options, which include oat , soy and a chocolate-flavored pea milk. “It’s been a big game-changer; these kids really are liking the

Housing Element approved The state Department of Housing and Community Development recently signed off on Cupertino’s Housing Element, paving the way for the city council to adopt the document that outlines how much housing should be built in Cupertino over the next eight years, and where it should go. “Together, we’ve reached a milestone that reflects our collective commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant Cupertino,” said Mayor Sheila Mohan in a release. The Housing Element was three years in the making and went through numerous iterations and vetting processes by city staff and residents. HCD’s letter to the City is available at https://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/community-development/housing. The City’s draft housing element is available for review at https://engagecupertino.org/hub-page/housingelement. Community services in Cupertino Cupertino residents made up 24% of the client base using rental and food assistance programs provided by West Valley Community Services (WVCS) in fiscal year 2022-23. Based in Cupertino, the nonprofit also serves residents living below the poverty line in Los Gatos, Saratoga and West San Jose. According to the WVCS annual report, Cupertino-based clients were 72% single adults, 19% households with children and 9% households

New chancellor After serving as interim chancellor of the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District since last July, Dr. Beatriz Chaidez was named to the permanent position on April 9. Chaidez previously served as vice chancellor of human resources for the district, which includes the San Jose-Evergreen Community College Extension at Milpitas. “During her tenure as interim chancellor and her years serving our district as vice chancellor and associate vice chancellor of human resources, Dr. Chaidez has proven herself to be a steady leader, a creative problem solver and a passionate advocate for students,” said district board vice president Wendy Ho in a statement. Before joining the district in early 2019, Chaidez held various roles in K-12 administration, including assistant superintendent for human resources with Salinas City Elementary School District, where she also served as director of pupil personnel services and special education. She has also served as an executive board member for both the Association of California School Administrators and the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators. As an adjunct faculty member at San Jose State University, she taught a seminar course on administration

For the 20th anniversary of its Fur Ball fundraiser, Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is honoring a longtime volunteer. Judy Marcus of Los Altos Hills was first elected to the Milpitas-based nonprofit’s board in 2000 after friends asked her to join. “I’ve always loved animals,” said Marcus, whose three dogs are HSSV adoptees. “They’ve been a constant source of joy and companionship, which fueled my passion for animal welfare.” This year’s Fur Ball will be held May 11 at PayPal Park in San Jose. Previously, the fundraiser was an invite-only event, but it went public in 2022. Attendees are encouraged to bring their dogs along. Black tie is optional for people and pets. “Anyone can join us who has a passion for what we’re doing,” said Dan Coleman, HSSV’s chief development officer. “The event is about bringing together animal lovers in Silicon Valley and beyond.” Marcus was instrumental in helping the organization imagine and launch the Fur Ball. “The idea for the Fur Ball came from a group brainstorming session,” she said. “We wanted to create a fun event that would also raise awareness and