Category: Bay Area

BERKELEY — On the same day Cal players auditioned before NFL scouts at Memorial Stadium’s annual pro day, an all-time great alumnus returned from the NFL: Ron Rivera officially was announced Thursday as their football team’s general manager. “I am fired up to be coming home,” Rivera said in a statement. “My love and passion for Cal has never changed, and I couldn’t be more excited about the future of our football program. I look forward to working with Chancellor Lyons as we look to Jim Knowlton, Justin Wilcox and all of our staff and players to compete for championships as we move forward in this new and rapidly changing era of college football.” Rivera, 63, revealed a month ago that he would be “going back to school,” after interviewing for head coach openings with the New York Jets, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Chicago Bears. Rivera, who grew up in Marina and Seaside, left Cal as a 1984 second-round pick by the Chicago Bears. After a nine-year career that included the 1985 Bears’ landmark Super Bowl championship, the ex-linebacker embarked on a coaching

As I was running the San Jose Shamrock Run last Saturday morning through downtown San Jose, I found myself thinking of Frank Taylor, the former longtime head of the city’s redevelopment agency who died this month at age 87. The 5K run was almost a Frank Taylor Legacy Tour, with green-shirted runners rushing past some of the agency’s big successes — the once-Fairmont-now-Signia hotel, the Tech Interactive, Plaza de Cesar Chavez, the McEnery Convention Center and the refurbished Hotel De Anza. Former San Jose Redevelopment Agency Director Frank Taylor, right, stands with Dean Munro, who served as chief of staff for San Jose Mayor Tom McEnery and executive director of the San Jose Sports Authority, at a 20th anniversary celebration for the Tech Interactive on Feb. 23, 2019. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)  And let’s not forget the palm trees. At Taylor’s direction, the redevelopment agency planted hundreds of California Fan and Mexican Fan palms throughout downtown San Jose. I asked former San Jose Mayor Tom McEnery, a close friend of Taylor’s, why he was so hooked on the tall trees. “He just thought they

By Collin Binkley and Chris Megerian | Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday calling for the dismantling of the U.S. Education Department, advancing a campaign promise to take apart an agency that’s been a longtime target of conservatives. Trump has derided the Education Department as wasteful and polluted by liberal ideology. However, completing its dismantling is most likely impossible without an act of Congress, which created the department in 1979. Republicans said they will introduce a bill to achieve that. The department, however, is not set to close completely. The White House said the department will retain certain critical functions. RELATED: University of California faculty condemn Trump administration’s “attack on higher ed” Trump said his administration will close the department beyond its “core necessities,” preserving its responsibilities for Title I funding for low-income schools, Pell grants and money for children with disabilities. The White House said earlier it would also continue to manage federal student loans. The president blamed the department for America’s lagging academic performance and said states will do a better job. “It’s doing us no good,”

Just as the spring tourist season is getting started, a major rockslide has closed one of the primary routes into Yosemite National Park. The slide came crashing down across both lanes of Highway 140, a scenic winding route along the Merced River between the town of Mariposa and Yosemite’s Arch Rock entrance. “The boulders that fell there are the size of small cars,” said Caltrans spokesman Brian Hooker. “It’s certainly impassable. It’s a few hundred feet long.” At first, it appeared the slide, which occurred Monday night at about 10 p.m. following several days of heavy rain and snow, might be cleared in a few days. But Tuesday, Caltrans officials said they saw more movement in the unstable area where boulders and rocks had fallen onto the roadway. Now, “a long-term closure” is place “with no current estimated time of re-opening,” the agency says. It has closed about two miles of Highway 140 in both directions between Yosemite Cedar Lodge and Briceburg, 10 miles west of El Portal. On Thursday, Caltrans geologists investigated the area and flew drones to take 3-D images of the cliffs.

SUNNYVALE — A man suspected in a kidnapping and rape reported in 2009 was arrested this week following a cold-case investigation, according to police. On Wednesday, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety announced the arrest of Davis Bryant Vest. Court records show he has been charged with kidnapping and rape, following a “renewed investigation into the unsolved 2009 assault case.” Authorities also allege that Vest has been implicated in at least one other rape reported in 2007. Sunnyvale police did not release additional details about the investigation Wednesday. Anyone with information for investigators about Vest can contact Detective Matthew Hutchison at 408-730-7110. This is a developing report. Check back for updates.

Restaurants in Fremont are again enticing food lovers with the opportunity to save money while discovering new places and revisiting old favorites. The third annual Fremont Restaurant Week runs from Friday, March 21, through Sunday, March 30, with prix fixe menus, specials and new menu offerings. Leading the array of 60 restaurants are three local favorites that have been in business for decades: Papillon, Massimo’s and El Patio. The French and Italian classics are both offering prix fixe dinners that include appetizers and dessert. The Mexican classic is featuring deals on street tacos, fish tacos and veggie quesadillas. Joining them are restaurants, bistros, coffee shops and more in all corners of the city. Among the participants: Mas Fuego: Surf and turf deal, Ribeye Steak with Jumbo Shrimp, $40. Cauldron Ice Cream: Specials on ice cream and drink combos. Spin A Yarn: Lunch special, 20% off all food items. Cantaritos Mexican Restaurant: Specials include Chicken Caesar, Chile Colorado and Carne en su jugo. Dosa Express: Dosa Combo with Chai, $19.99. Papasan Rolls & Bowls: $3.99 for all plates. Taverna Vesuvio Ristorante and Pizzeria: Highlighting new items

OAKLAND — As part of a plea deal that upends the prosecution over rapper Tan DaGod’s 2024 killing, both suspects have pleaded no contest to gun charges for a jail term that ends this year. Dominc Gates, 21, and Richard James Romano, 32, both pleaded no contest to felony gun possession. They’re set to be sentenced later this year to a two-year prison term, but with good behavior Gates and Romano will be free by July and August, respectively. As part of the deal, Alameda County prosecutors are dismissing the remainder of the case, including murder charges against both men. They were arrested and charged last year with murdering the rising Oakland rapper, Alliauna Green, during a hectic shootout at the grand opening of a North Oakland beauty salon Green was promoting. But the case took a turn when police revealed at a December court hearing that Green, also known as Tan DaGod, had shot first at her killers, after they allegedly pulled guns near where she was standing with her boyfriend. The defense argued that Green had built a fraudulent violent persona — she

4231 Jensen Street – Google Street View The property located in the 4200 block of Jensen Street in Pleasanton was sold on Jan. 3, 2025 for $1,500,000, or $1,293 per square foot. The house, built in 1954, has an interior space of 1,160 square feet. The layout of this single-story home consists of three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Additionally, the home is equipped with a garage. The lot size of the property measures an impressive 6,076 square feet. Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby: On Jensen Street, Pleasanton, in September 2024, a 1,270-square-foot home was sold for $1,325,000, a price per square foot of $1,043. The home has 3 bedrooms 1 bathroom. A 1,545-square-foot home on the 4200 block of Silver Street in Pleasanton sold in June 2024, for $1,425,000, a price per square foot of $922. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. In June 2022, a 2,149-square-foot home on School Street in Pleasanton sold for $1,575,000, a price per square foot of $733. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report

San Jose Sharks veteran defenseman to miss time with recurring injury NHL: San Jose Sharks continue homestand Thursday against Brent Burns, Carolina Hurricanes San Jose Sharks’ Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44) prepares for a face-off against the Calgary Flames in the second period at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) NHL: San Jose Sharks continue homestand Thursday against Brent Burns, Carolina Hurricanes Originally Published: March 20, 2025 at 11:25 AM PDT

SAN JOSE — Firefighters responded to a blaze at two adjacent vacant warehouses in the early hours of Thursday morning, which resulted in the complete destruction of one of the warehouses, according to a social media post from the San Jose Fire Department. Two vacant warehouses near the SAP Center in San Jose caught fire early Thursday morning, burning one to the ground and damaging one side of the other. The buildings were slated for demolition later in March, authorities said. (San Jose Fire Department)  The blaze broke out at the two warehouses near the intersection of West St. John Street and Autumn Street, located close to the SAP Center, authorities said. One building was completely destroyed and the other suffered damage on one side. Both buildings were slated to be demolished later in the month, authorities added. The fire was called in around 3:33 a.m., authorities said. The flames were under control by 5:31 a.m., and firefighters remained on scene shortly before 7:30 a.m. There were no reported injuries, firefighters added. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

R&B/gospel great Mavis Staples, hip-hop star Common and Grammy-nominated R&B singer PJ Morton are set to perform at the 35th annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. Other notable names on the bill include Ghost-Note, Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, Butcher Brown and José James. The festival takes place Aug. 8-10 at Plaza de César Chavez Park in San Jose. Special “early bird” three-day passes, priced $100-$560, are on sale now, summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/buy-now. Here’s the current lineup for the festival: Common Mavis Staples PJ Morton Ghost-Note Femi Kuti & The Positive Force Butcher Brown José James Kiefer The Headhunters Stella Cole Kishi Bashi Tyreek McDole Delbert Anderson Something Else! ft. Vincent Herring Jonathan Dely Pacific Mambo Orchestra Sachal Vasandani Marisoil and the Love Notes Orchestra Mary Stallings David Binney Action Trio with Pera Krstajic & Louis Cole Kazemde George Trio Tom Scott & The LA Express Saul Sierra Quintet: “Caminos A Pan American Jazz Suite” Ray Obiedo Group ft. Lilan Kane Akira Tana with Bobby Floyd Atsuko Hashimoto & Jackie Ryan Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir & Youth Choir Oakland Jazz Choir Bennett Roth Quartet Nidia Góngora

By Steven T. Dennis | Bloomberg The crypto industry is on a roll in Washington and it’s not just because of President Donald Trump. A key ally is rising in the Democratic party and the industry just demonstrated its political might by sweeping away a long-entrenched antagonist with a flood of campaign money. Crypto-friendly stablecoin legislation is poised to pass the Senate after years of the industry’s Capitol Hill agenda languishing. Prospects for other priorities also are improving. Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, a long-standing supporter of the crypto industry, moved up in her party’s leadership ranks to head election fundraising. She’s put her growing influence behind efforts to repeal a tax reporting rule on digital assets and pass a friendly stablecoin regulatory bill. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Senate Republicans’ leading crypto advocate and a regular partner of Gillibrand on related legislation, said the New York Democrat’s backing is pivotal. Out-of-power Democrats can still stymie legislation in the Senate, where 60 votes are needed for most bills. Follow The Big Take daily podcast wherever you listen. “Without her, it doesn’t happen,” Lummis said, citing credibility

By Jordan Valinsky | CNN New York  — The Boston Celtics, one of the most successful NBA teams in history, has sold for $6.1 billion, marking the largest sale of a sports franchise in North America. An investor group led by William Chisholm, a billionaire who amassed much of his wealth from private equity, is buying the Celtics. The group also includes includes Rob Hale, a current Celtics investor, and Bruce Beal Jr., president of real estate giant Related Companies. “Bill is a terrific person and a true Celtics fan, born and raised here in the Boston area,” Celtics CEO Wyc Grousbeck said in a statement Thursday. “His love for the team and the city of Boston, along with his chemistry with the rest of the Celtics leadership, make him a natural choice to be the next Governor and controlling owner of the team.” The Grousbeck family bought the Celtics, who have won 18 championships in their history, in 2002 for $360 million, representing a nearly 1,600% gain in value. Wyc will remain the team’s governor through the 2027-28 season. Chisholm co-founded and is the

By Mary Schlangenstein | Bloomberg Southwest Airlines Co. is eliminating 120 more jobs at four airports, extending a round of cutbacks that included the carrier’s first ever involuntary layoffs. The positions — including airport ground workers and people who stock planes with food and beverages — are being eliminated because of overstaffing at airports in Baltimore, Los Angeles and San Jose and Burbank, California, Southwest said in a statement Thursday. The employees will have a chance to move to other jobs “if they choose,” the airline said. In February, Southwest disclosed it was cutting 1,750 jobs in its leadership ranks. That followed last year’s suspension of most hiring and shifting of some pilot and flight attendant jobs. Southwest earlier this month said it will begin charging passengers for most checked luggage, ending its hallmark free-bag policy that had been in place since its founding more than five decades ago, the latest in a broad series of changes that followed a pressure campaign by activist shareholder Elliott Investment Management. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Originally Published: March 20, 2025 at

From a unique way to listen to music to mouthwatering chowder and amazing concerts and shows, we have all the makings of a terrific weekend. So let’s get to it, shall we? (As always, be sure to double check event and venue websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines or other details.) Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters  or  www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters . 1 HEAR: A one of a kind aural experience You may have listened to an album a zillion times, but it will still sound like something new if you hear it at Envelope SF. 2 EAT: Championship chowder A nice rich bowl of soup or chowder can make a winner of any weekend. Here are nine spots to find one. Revered jazz bassist Christian McBride performs with his band Ursa Major March 22-24 in San Francisco and Santa Cruz. (Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images archives  3 SEE & HEAR: Great shows are all over From a legendary jazz bassist to a brand new space opera, there is a lot

Superintendent search The Sunnyvale School District board has begun the process of hiring a new superintendent after Dr. Michael Gallagher, the superintendent since 2020, announced that he will retire on June 30. At a special public meeting on Tuesday, March 4, the board set a timeline for the search process, with a target of having a new superintendent in place by July 1. The board also announced a series of public input opportunities. For, superintendent search updates, visit https://bit.ly/4iu28Ma. Chief retires Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (DPS) Chief Phan Ngo announced his retirement on March 19 after serving as chief since 2017. The city will conduct a nationwide recruitment to find his replacement. During his tenure, Ngo oversaw completion of the new Emergency Operations Center and remodel of DPS Headquarters and creation of the Youth Leadership Academy and the Public Safety Citizens Academy. The city is seeking public input on the sought after qualities in the new DPS chief. A survey is open through April 8 at https://bit.ly/4hmzvQ5. ‘Dreamscapes’ come true Two students from Fremont High School will have artworks featured in ArtNow, the annual

A South San Francisco man was found guilty of second degree murder by a San Mateo County jury on Tuesday, more than five years after he strangled a man at a bus stop in an apparent random act of violence. Vincent Jesus Osegueda, 40, killed 62-year-old Joseph Mendoza at a bus stop in South San Francisco in 2019 then attempted to hide his body, prosecutors said. Following two and a half hours of deliberation, the jury found Osegueda guilty, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office. Osegueda will now be subject to another trial to determine how a 2006 attempted robbery conviction will be calculated into his pending murder sentence. San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe said that Mendoza’s family has been following the case for years, including a stretch of time when Osegueda was receiving treatment in a mental health facility after he was found not competent to stand trial. “It makes our office and my prosecutor, Mr. King, very pleased that we were able to provide them with justice for the senseless murder of their loved one,” Wagstaffe said. “The

An intense look at the world of competitive bodybuilding and remake of a Argentine thriller top our roundup of this week’s new films. “Magazine Dreams”: Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors) is that one guy you avoid at the gym. You know the one, the unapproachable chiseled god with that leave-me-alone glare who repeatedly unleashes excessively loud guttural grunts, groans and screams as he bench presses the weight of a Prius. Killian is a ‘roid ragin’ machine and has become obsessed about perfecting his tapered body so he can land bodybuilding competition titles. He’s equally focused about meeting his idol, title champ Brad Vanderhorn (played by actor and body-lifter Mike Vanderhorn). He writes to Brad all the time, but doesn’t get a response. He’s also a ticking time bomb. Majors (“The Last Black Man in San Francisco”) scalds the screen by pumping Killian up with a raw volatility and coarse intensity that borders on the scary, but he also makes his man-child a vulnerable and even tragic figure — a socially maladjusted brickhouse who’s caring for his grandfather and is in dire need of hours of therapy

From a world-class jazz bassist to a brand new space opera, there is a lot to see and do in the Bay Area this weekend. Here is a partial rundown. Bass legend lands in Bay Area Christian McBride keeps right on crafting what is no doubt one of the greatest careers for any bassist in jazz music history. Having already won eight Grammy Awards — and performed with such illustrious figures as Paul McCartney, McCoy Tyner, James Brown, Sting, Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Kathleen Battle and James Brown — McBride is hardly resting on his laurels, but rather forging ahead to create wonderful new music with a variety of collaborators. Jazz fans can hear what we mean by checking out the bassist’s current quintet — Ursa Major — on Friday and Saturday at the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco and Sunday at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz. Christian McBride’s Ursa Major features Oakland-born drummer Savannah Harris (who has spent much time on the road with Cécile McLorin Salvant), tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover (who has performed with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at

Which retractable water hose is best? A retractable water hose is the best choice for tight spaces or for keeping your garage nice and tidy. Its most innovative feature is the internal spring-loaded mechanisms that distribute the hose side to side in its housing, preventing tangled, unsightly mess. A retractable water hose gives you the reach of a full-length hose and is neatly contained in an attractive casing. If you’re looking for a durable yet affordable retractable water hose, the GartenKraft Retractable Garden Hose is your best bet. It’s made of sturdy, quality materials and can be wall-mounted to save space. What to know before you buy a retractable water hose Storage options The number one consideration when thinking about buying a retractable water hose is space. A retractable hose stays in a neat casing or it can be coiled up, which makes for a more organized and tidy yard. They are especially helpful in tight spaces or smaller front yards. There are also wall-mounted options for maximum space-saving. Downsides By emphasizing making the hose compact, manufacturers sometimes cut corners on hose durability and strength.

Which Callaway irons are best? Callaway is one of the strongest and most respected brand names in golf despite only existing for roughly 40 years. To put that in perspective, golf has been recognized as a sport for almost 300 years. Even better, Callaway isn’t only for the pros; the company also makes excellent entry-level irons. The best Callaway irons come from the set for the professionals: the Callaway Apex Pro 24 Irons Set. These irons are designed to enhance and stabilize performances already set by experience, so if you’re new to the sport, this probably isn’t the right set for you. What to know before you buy a Callaway iron Definition Irons deliver higher precision at the expense of distance (the reverse of what woods achieve). Irons accomplish this by utilizing clubheads with large, flat faces at an angle that send the golf ball into a high loft. Originally, they were made from iron, which gave them their name. These days, however, “irons” are usually made from zinc, titanium, stainless steel and various other metals. Clubhead designs Cavity back: A cavity back has a hollowed-out area