Category: Bay Area

San Jose Sharks winger William Eklund will be among the 13 forwards chosen for Sweden’s entry into the 4 Nations Face-Off, according to a published report Monday in that country. Eklund has been asked to join Sweden’s national team and has accepted the offer, per Expressen, a Swedish national newspaper. The 4 Nations Face-Off, which takes place in February, features teams from the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden. The official 23-player rosters for Sweden and Finland will be unveiled on Wednesday at 11 a.m. (PST) on ESPN and the NHL Network. Rosters for the American and Canadian teams will be announced on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. (PST) on TNT. Each country’s roster — which includes three goalies, seven defensemen, and 13 forwards — had to be submitted by Monday. This would be Eklund’s first time playing on Sweden’s men’s national team. A Stockholm native, the 22-year-old Eklund confirmed to Bay Area News Group recently that he had discussions with Team Sweden coach Sam Hallam, who has been behind the bench for Tre Kronor for the last two World Championships. After Sunday’s NHL games, Eklund

OAKLAND — The owner of three dogs that mauled a man to death in September had previously tried to give the 100-pound canines away because they were “a problem” and “un-handleable,” an Oakland animal control officer testified Monday. Brendan Burke, 58, even allegedly considered having the dogs euthanized in the months before they fatally mauled Burke’s childhood friend, Robert Holguin, in his driveway on Sept. 1. The details were revealed at a key evidentiary hearing Monday, during which an Alameda County judge ordered Burke to stand trial on a single felony charge of failing to control animals killing a human. Burke has pleaded not guilty, and he remains free on his own recognizance. On Monday, new details emerged about concerns that Burke appeared to harbor about the three dogs — each of them half-Cane Corso, half-Napoleon Mastiff — in the months prior to the attack. Burke told a city animal control officer after the mauling that he had repeatedly tried to give the dogs to Rocket Dog Rescue, a Bay Area nonprofit organization that seeks to save abandoned and homeless pets from being euthanized in

California lawmakers kicked off a special session of the state Legislature Monday. The reason? To fund a $25 million war chest for anticipated legal battles with incoming President Donald Trump’s administration. As nearly 30 new state lawmakers were sworn into office at the state Capitol in Sacramento, legislative leaders gaveled in a special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom that’s geared toward protecting undocumented immigrants, reproductive rights, climate policy and more from Trump’s second administration. The regular, two-year legislative session also began Monday, but the special session will allow for a speedier lawmaking process. Newsom has requested the funding for the state Department of Justice and other agencies, which are expected to file a flurry of lawsuits challenging Trump policies — as California Democrats did during the president’s first term. The governor’s ask was introduced in bills Monday by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, an Encino Democrat who chairs the body’s budget committee. “We will work with the incoming administration and we want President Trump to succeed in serving all Americans,” Newsom said in a statement. “But when there is overreach, when lives are threatened, when rights and freedoms

A new documentary by German filmmakers is set to offer a less-than-glowing review of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s efforts to establish them as extremely wealthy global influencers and philanthropists since they departed royal life nearly five years ago. “Harry and Meghan set the bar very high,”  Ulrike Grunewald, the director of “The Lost Prince,” told The Daily Mail over the weekend. The documentary is set to air in Germany on Tuesday. “They want to be global benefactors who bring about tangible change. So far, they have not lived up to this image at all.” For the 45-minute film, Grunewald wanted to look into whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex succeeded in “finding freedom” by leaving the U.K. and moving to the United States. During their exit, the couple also vowed to become financially independent entrepreneurs and world-renowned thought leaders. To answer questions about the couple’s post-“Megxit” life, Grunewald said she did reporting in the couple’s new hometown of Montecito, looked into the work of their Archewell Foundation and Harry’s involvement in the Invictus Games and examined recent reports that they’ve “separated” — at

BERKELEY — More than a year after an audit found substantial staffing shortages were having negative impacts on city services, Berkeley has made progress addressing the issue but still has a ways to go before all recommendations are fully implemented. A July 2023 report on staffing shortages by Berkeley City Auditor Jenny Wong detailed 25 recommendations. So far, three have been implemented, 13 partially implemented, seven started and two have not been started, according to a staff report. Staffing shortages have plagued the city for years and made it challenging for employees to provide services. When compared to eight other Bay Area cities with available vacancy rate data, Berkeley as of 2022 had the second-highest rate with about 19% of its 1,792 funded full-time positions unfilled. “Employee retention is important in government organizations to ensure there are enough staff to deliver services and programs effectively,” the staff report says. “City staffing challenges can therefore impact almost everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Berkeley.” Retention among leadership has also been an issue. Former City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley left her post in July, a year

Content oversight and quality assurance provided by Bay Area News Group. Bay Area News Group advertising leadership oversees sponsored, native, and paid content on this platform, ensuring its quality, relevance, and helpfulness for our audience. Articles attributed to this byline are authored by paying advertisers. The editorial team did not contribute to these pieces, and the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the editorial staff. Refer to our partner statement to better understand the nature of the relationship. The sponsor retains responsibility for the content and holds the copyright to their material. SPONSORED CONTENT The global vaping market offers a wide range of vape stores, which can make it challenging to find one that matches all your needs and preferences. Thankfully, we can help with that! We carefully searched for the best online shops that sell disposable vapes, mods, and accessories, focusing on those that enhance your overall vaping experience while offering enticing deals and discounts and a wide variety of products. Though all of the featured shops are great, our top pick is  Vaporfi , which sells high-quality disposable vapes that makes

Three years after revealing their dating relationship, the children of comedians Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy are engaged. The happy couple posted to Instagram video of the romantic moment when Eric Murphy popped the question to Jasmin Lawrence. “We’re engaged!! God truly blessed us with a love that feels like destiny,” the over-the-moon kids captioned their video. “We couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter.” Murphy first set up a room with candles, bouquets of roses and strewn flower petals before a wall covered in a huge red heart. Their engagement video caught all the action, from Lawrence’s reaction upon walking in, to her pleased surprise when he dropped down on one knee. “It’s beautiful. Oh my gosh,” she gushed. “Yes!” Eric Murphy is the eldest of Eddie Murphy’s 10 children, and the son of the comedian’s ex Paulette McNeely. Jasmin Lawrence is the eldest daughter of Martin Lawrence and his ex, former beauty queen Patricia Southall, who is mother to two of the comedian’s three children. The newly engaged couple first went public in 2021 when Murphy posted that he was “head over

Elton John said Sunday that he has lost his eyesight and can’t even see the new musical he scored. John, 77, attended the premiere of “The Devil Wears Prada” in London and revealed to the audience that he couldn’t even watch it. “I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I have lost my eyesight,” he said on stage. “So it’s hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it and, boy, it sounded good tonight.” Back in September, John revealed that an eye infection had rendered his right eye mostly useless, and he called his left eye “not the greatest.” Last week on “Good Morning America,” the “Rocket Man” singer said he was unlikely to record more music because he couldn’t even read lyrics in the studio. “It kind of floored me, and I can’t see anything. I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything,” he said on the ABC program. John said the infection struck him in July, when he was vacationing in France. He credited his husband, David Furnish, with helping him

BANGOR, Maine (AP) — Stephen King’s raucous rock ‘n’ roll radio station is going silent at year’s end. The renowned author and lifelong rocker who used to perform with the Rock Bottom Remainders, a rock band that featured literary icons, said Monday that at age 77, it’s time to say good-bye to three Bangor, Maine, stations that have been bleeding money. King kept the stations afloat for decades, and he said he and his wife, Tabitha, are proud to have kept them going for so long. “While radio across the country has been overtaken by giant corporate broadcasting groups, I’ve loved being a local, independent owner all these years,” King said in a statement. “I’ve loved the people who’ve gone to these stations every day and entertained folks, kept the equipment running, and given local advertisers a way to connect with their customers.” King’s foray into radio began at age 36 with his 1983 purchase of a radio station that was rebranded WZON in deference to his book, “The Dead Zone.” That station went through a few permutations before closing, and then being reacquired by

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After his prolific start to his Ontario Hockey League season, defenseman and San Jose Sharks prospect Sam Dickinson has been named to the Canadian national junior team’s selection camp roster. Dickinson, 18, has a staggering 45 points in 24 games for the London Knights so far this season, making him the OHL’s third-leading scorer. On Sunday, Dickinson had two goals and three assists in London’s 10-3 win over the Ottawa 67s. Dickinson, who the Sharks selected 11th overall at the NHL Draft in June, is one of 10 defensemen invited to the camp, which has 32 players in all and runs from Dec. 10 to 13 in Ottawa. The roster that will compete for Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championships will be announced shortly afterward. Dickinson was the only Sharks prospect invited to the Canadian camp. Forward Carson Wetsch, defensemen Colton Roberts, and Nate Misskey — all drafted by the Sharks earlier this year — will remain with their respective CHL teams. Last year’s Canadian world junior team featured center Macklin Celebrini, who has 14 points in 15 games for the Sharks this season

Authorities on Monday identified a bicyclist who was killed last week while on an East Bay highway. Cynthia Perez, 34, of Concord was on state Highway 242 in the far right lane Nov. 24 going south toward Walnut Creek, when a GMC Yukon hit her, the California Highway Patrol said. The collision happened just north of the Oliveira Road overpass. She died at the scene. The CHP did not arrest the driver of the Yukon, who stopped after the collision and spoke with them. The investigation remains open. The CHP encouraged anyone with information to contact them at 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov or 925-646-4980. Originally Published: December 2, 2024 at 9:37 AM PST

ANTIOCH — A fire Sunday afternoon burned two houses and sent one person to a hospital, authorities said. Five people were displaced and put in touch with the Red Cross following the blaze, which broke out about 4:30 p.m. at a residence at E. 18th Street and Crestwood Drive. In a statement on social media, the Contra Costa Fire Protection District said the injured person suffered smoke inhalation. Authorities did not have a condition for that person Monday morning. The blaze also took down a power line in the area. The fire eventually grew to two alarms to protect the other homes in the area. One house was damaged enough that inhabitants were not allowed back into it. The cause of the fire has not been determined. Originally Published: December 2, 2024 at 9:14 AM PST

SUBSCRIBER ONLY California’s sunny Huntington Beach makes a great weekend getaway The view of the Pacific Ocean from Huntington Beach stretches seemingly forever. (Getty Images) This sunny California city makes a great escape from winter’s chill, complete with endless sand, splashy waves, a rooftop lounge and a perfect waterside hotel. Originally Published: December 2, 2024 at 9:00 AM PST

Abandon hope, all souls who dare partake of an afternoon tea bereft of clotted cream. TikTok’s afternoon-tea critic is introducing the British-born tradition to a new generation. And the Bay Area boasts plenty of places to raise a pinky. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here. Originally Published: December 2, 2024 at 9:00 AM PST

DEAR JOAN: There has been a lot in the media recently about humans catching bird flu. I am concerned about the possible risks to us from feeding birds in our yard. We have two feeders – a seed feeder and a hummingbird feeder for fast birds. With each, we find thank-you deposits on the feeders. We have not found any dead birds. Are these deposits a risk to us? In your article dated Nov. 18, you suggest removing feeders and water sources from the yard to prevent the spread of bird flu.  We enjoy watching the birds from our breakfast table and would miss the pleasure. Is removal the answer for us? — Paul Christensen, Pleasanton DEAR PAUL: Avian flu (H5N1) is a highly contagious virus that spreads from bird to bird, and in rare instances, from bird to humans. There are no known cases of human-to-human transmission. The majority of infections are within waterfowl and domestic poultry, but other mammals can contract avian flu. Cats that spend time outdoors, especially if they kill an infected bird, have contracted avian flu, and there is one reported case

The Bay Area News Group’s intrepid readers have circled the globe this last year, road-tripping through Tuscany, touring the Taj Mahal, exploring Bolivia and in this case, biking through Bali. And once back home, they wrote in to share their stories and photos and offer helpful travel tips. Along the way, they’ve shared their journeys and offered helpful travel tips. Find even more reader travel inspiration at www.mercurynews.com/tag/wish-you-were-here/. Wish You Were Here INDONESIA: Vallejo resident Mel Orpilla and Redding’s Kathleen Saxer traveled to Bali this summer on a trip that included all sorts of adventures, including a bike ride near the island’s rice fields. TRAVEL TIPS: from Redding taking a rest in a rice field during a bike ride on the island of Bali. Bali is a very diverse island with beaches, volcanoes, bustling cities and small villages. You can see it all in a week. Join the fun! Send a photo of yourself on your latest adventures — local, domestic or international — to jburrell@bayareanewsgroup.com. Tell us where you are, who everyone is and where they’re from, and share a travel tip or two

SUBSCRIBER ONLY They wanted good schools, nature and ‘a feeling of privacy.’ What could they find on the Peninsula with $3.5 million? A couple from Menlo Park decided to trade up their ‘starter home’ for more space Tej Ravindra, right, and her husband, Niket Sirsi, on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) The couple looked at homes for nearly three years before they made an offer that was accepted. Originally Published: December 2, 2024 at 6:01 AM PST

SUBSCRIBER ONLY Kurtenbach: The music has stopped playing for the ‘last dance’ 49ers San Francisco 49ers 10 – Buffalo Bills 35: The Niners have been outscored 73-20 in their last two games. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) dives forward during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) The Niners have been outscored 73-20 in their last two games, but they say they can make the playoffs. Originally Published: December 2, 2024 at 5:45 AM PST

Had you sat by Alizé Satberry a few years ago at Kearny High School or Herbert Hoover High School or one of several charters she attended, you might have noticed that her dresses were a few years out of style. Maybe you flagged that she never seemed to come on a field trip. But the fact that she, her mom and three siblings were bouncing from hotel to hotel and shelter to shelter? That probably slipped by. And she could just as easily have missed if you were in the same boat. The thing is, it’s a crowded boat. When Satberry and her family first got to San Diego in 2016, there were about 16,500 students countywide who lacked a steady roof, according to the California Department of Education. By last academic year the total had risen to more than 17,800, including children who’ve temporarily doubled up in houses with other families. The problem has become so pervasive that Barrio Logan’s Monarch School, which only serves unhoused families, has started to train educators at other organizations about how to spot and care for families on

A man who was reported to be holding a rifle that turned out to be fake died after police shot him in Downtown Santa Ana on Sunday night, Dec. 1. Officers responded around 5:30 p.m. to the area of Broadway and 2nd Street following reports that a man was armed with and loading a rifle, according to the Santa Ana Police Department. When they arrived, two officers shot the man, who was in his 30s, in a parking lot, police said. Police didn’t immediately specify how many times they fired. The rifle the man was reported to be carrying turned out to be fake, said Officer Natalie Garcia, a spokesperson for the Police Department. The man was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No officers or bystanders reported injuries following the shooting. The investigation is ongoing. Originally Published: December 2, 2024 at 3:29 AM PST