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‘Feels a little unsafe’: Uncertainty and few easy solutions after Emeryville mall chaos

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:44 GMT

The videos posted to social media depicted chaos: dozens of teenagers fighting, with many more egging them on, and scores of shoppers fleeing at one of the East Bay’s largest malls, hanging from rails and pushing down the stairs to escape.One person was stabbed but would recover, authorities said. A gunshot was reported, but no one was found shot.Yet days after the Sunday afternoon brawl at Bay Street Emeryville, shoppers, restaurant-goers and criminal justice experts alike grasped to explain the sudden outburst violence, one of several seen across the nation around the same weekend. And while many said they were unswayed in their desire to visit the sprawling open-air complex, others — including employees — voiced concern about a lack of security and future unrest at the popular community hub.Witnesses compared the melee to a massive schoolyard fight, with swarms of people rushing into the scene to get a glimpse of the action. At least one witness encountered a person claimin...

Military figure appointed leader after coup in Gabon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:44 GMT

By Yves Laurent Goma and Sam Mednick | Associated PressLIBREVILLE, Gabon — Mutinous soldiers in Gabon proclaimed their republican guard chief as the country’s leader Wednesday after placing the just-reelected President Ali Bongo Ondimba under house arrest, alleging betrayal and massive embezzlement during his long-time rule over the oil-rich Central African nation.The coup leaders said in an announcement on Gabon’s state TV that Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema had been “unanimously” designated president of a transitional committee to lead the country. Oligui is a cousin of Bongo, who earlier Wednesday had been declared the winner of the country’s latest presidential election following 55 years of rule by him and his late father.In a video from detention in his residence, Bongo called on people to “make noise” to support him. But the crowds who took to the streets of the capital instead celebrated the coup against a dynasty accused of getti...

Kansas reporter sues police chief over newspaper raid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:44 GMT

By Josh Funk | Associated PressOne of the reporters who works at the small Kansas newspaper that was raided by authorities earlier this month filed a federal lawsuit against the police chief Wednesday.Deb Gruver believes Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody violated her constitutional rights when he abruptly snatched her personal cellphone out of her hands during a search where officers also seized computers from the Marion County Record’s office, according to the lawsuit. That Aug. 11 search and two others conducted at the homes of the newspaper’s publisher and a City Council member have thrust the town into the center of a debate over the press protections in the First Amendment.Cody didn’t immediately respond to an email or text message from The Associated Press on Wednesday seeking comment. He has said little publicly since the raids other than posting a defense of them on the police department’s Facebook page. In court documents he filed to get the search war...

Letters: Reorganize BART | Homeless issue | Zoning decisions | King’s dream | Cancer screening

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:44 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Reorganize BARTto save moneyRe: “Stalled bridge toll hike indicates the public’s discontent” (Page A12, Aug. 27).Just as large corporations painfully reorganize when facing severe financial pressure, we must do the same with BART.This is a start:• Consolidate the 27 Bay Area transit agencies into two and lay off three-quarters of duplicate management.• Fire all BART directors except Debra Allen since she is the only one who knows what she is doing.• Fire all workers and have them reapply for available jobs at a 10% pay cut. We cannot afford to pay janitors $200,000.• Disband the union.• Hire two auditors and give them the power to do their job without interference from BART management.• Run fewer trains until ridership increases.• Install barriers to get 99% toll compliance, thereby saving $25 million a year according to BART. Set up a program for free or discounted hardship rider passe...

Three-bedroom home sells in Los Gatos for $3.6 million

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:44 GMT

136 Regent Drive – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 100 block of Regent Drive in Los Gatos has new owners. The 3,152-square-foot property, built in 2000, was sold on Aug. 17, 2023. The $3,600,000 purchase price works out to $1,142 per square foot. The layout of this two-story home includes three bedrooms and four baths. The property is equipped with forced air heating and a cooling system. Additionally, the home includes a two-car garage, ensuring ample room for parking and storage. The property’s backyard also includes both a spa and a pool.Additional houses have recently been sold nearby:In September 2022, a 1,272-square-foot home on Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos sold for $2,050,000, a price per square foot of $1,612. The home has 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom.On Forest Hill Drive, Los Gatos, in May 2023, a 1,573-square-foot home was sold for $2,200,000, a price per square foot of $1,399. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,472-square-foot home on the 5500 block ...

Despite loss in finale, SF Giants back on postseason track after series with Reds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:44 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — To snap out of a concerning downward spiral that saw seven straight series losses, a Giants team built to win as a collective needed a few individuals to step out and lead.A rookie home debut. A near-no-hitter. An impassioned speech. It took all these things to dig the Giants out of a slump and get them rolling into a crucial series victory against the Cincinnati Reds.The Giants lost their potential series sweeper, 4-1, on Wednesday afternoon at Oracle Park. Logan Webb allowed two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts in his outing. It was no biggie: The Giants began this series a half-game back of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the third wild card spot, the Reds 1.5 games back of them, and ended it tied with the Diamondbacks for the third spot with Cincinnati one game back of them. Baby steps.“They shut us down (today),” manager Gabe Kapler said. “But the momentum from the last several games hasn’t changed.”The Giants were struggli...

This car is getting stolen most often in San Mateo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:44 GMT

(KRON) -- The San Mateo Police Department is reporting an increase in car thefts over the past year, and they say it has especially ticked up over the past few months. Hyundai cars are especially at risk due to a flaw in the way their ignition is designed, according to police. Other cars that may be targeted are work trucks and vans like the Ford E-Series, and Dodge Challengers and Chargers, SMPD said. Windows shattered in several parked vehicles in Nob Hill: photos The work vehicles are being stolen due to toolboxes and racks, while thieves are making devices called "repeaters" to imitate the Dodge cars' key fobs. "To prevent this, keep your key fob as far away from your parked car as you can, especially when parked at home," SMPD said. Another tip shared by police is to buy a GPS tracking device, put it somewhere inside the car, and link it to your phone. This makes it easier for police to find the car if it is stolen. Other tips include installing security cameras, parking in ...

Travis Scott announces tour, includes Halloween show in Oakland

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:44 GMT

(KRON) -- Rapper Travis Scott released his fourth studio album "Utopia" in July. About a month later, Scott announced this week on social media he would be going on tour."The Circus Maximus Tour" is a 28-city tour across North America, which includes a stop in the Bay Area for an Oakland Arena show on Halloween night. Tickets are set to be on sale starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31.Across the Bay Bridge, another rap superstar will be headlining a show on the same night as Scott's performance. Doja Cat's "The Scarlet Tour" will be at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31.In what may come as a surprise to some, Scott will not have a show in his hometown of Houston. The rapper headlined a 2021 show there in which 10 people died after a crowd surge during his performance. In June, a Texas grand jury declined to indict Scott for criminal charges. What you need to know ahead of Beyoncé concert at Levi’s Stadium The first date of Scott's tour is on Oct. 11 in Charlotte, NC, and ...

UC Berkeley shellfish incident may not have been targeted at Jewish frat, school says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:44 GMT

(KRON) -- An incident in which shellfish were deposited on the premises and thrown in the window of a Jewish fraternity house on the UC Berkeley campus may not have been deliberately antisemitic, according to the university. Assistant Vice Chancellor of UC Berkeley Dan Mogulof cited new details around the incident that suggested it might not have been targeted.Initial reports suggested AEPi was the only frat targeted. However, similar acts of vandalism involving the deposit of shellfish may have occurred at multiple fraternities, according to Mogulof. Air quality advisory issued through Thursday due to wildfire smoke The shellfish left at AEPi House were crayfish, which are a type of shellfish forbidden under the body of Jewish law relating to food. "By singling out AEPi, the Jewish fraternity, and deliberately employing non-kosher food, this act of vandalism goes beyond mere destruction," the fraternity posted on its Instagram page. "It represents a calculated decision to target...

Bills GM Brandon Beane anticipates Von Miller to be activated after missing 4 games

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:44 GMT

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane anticipates that edge rusher Von Miller could be activated after spending the NFL-minimum four weeks on the physically unable to perform list, and he said Wednesday Miller could make his debut in Week 5, when the team plays Jacksonville in London England.Beane also announced a move to address the team’s depth at middle linebacker. The Bills are preparing to sign Christian Kirksey to the practice squad, pending the 10th-year player passing a physical. And the GM said he expects to sign a quarterback within the next day to potentially compete with Kyle Allen for the backup job behind Josh Allen.Speaking a day after paring his roster to 53 players, Beane said he had a lengthy debate about whether to activate Miller for the start of the season because the player was close to being cleared to resume practicing. Miller has been sidelined since tearing a ligament in his right knee last November.Beane ultimately dec...