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Letters: Critical insight | Teaching anti-Semitism | No context | Coarsened discourse

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:50 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Article offers insighton critical programThank you for running Ethan Baron’s article in The Mercury News with its thoughtful analysis of how financing from the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act can help to correct historical inequities in tree distribution and promote a healthier, fairer ecosystem.The article reinforces the idea that investments in urban greenery are not just about aesthetics but also about enhancing the overall quality of life and sustainability in disadvantaged communities. Additionally, your coverage of the difficulties these communities confront, such as the price of tree upkeep and the requirement for public engagement, recognized the challenges as well as the benefits of such endeavors.Once again, I want to thank you for your commitment to writing about topics that are important to our communities. Your effort is essential in promoting awareness and encouraging construct...

Overdue, overbudget high-speed rail just got $3.1 billion boost — will trains ever roll?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:50 GMT

California’s overdue, overbudget and oft-criticized high-speed rail project just got a $3.1 billion boost of federal cash towards completing what is supposed to be an early phase of the project connecting Merced, Fresno and Bakersfield in the state’s rural Central Valley.But the project is nowhere close to being done. Here’s the latest on where the project stands and whether we will ever see speedy trains traversing the Central Valley.Q: What’s the situation with high-speed rail funding?A: On Tuesday, officials announced the California High Speed Rail Authority will receive $3.1 billion in federal funding to support construction of a 220-mph, two-track electrified high-speed passenger rail line connecting the cities of Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield. Last year’s infrastructure bill provided the funding, which will pay for a station in Fresno, construction of additional track, six electric trains for testing and right-of-way acquisition.Q: So does that ...

DA clears Oakley cop who killed armed man after he shot at police ‘three or four’ times during standoff

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:50 GMT

MARTINEZ — An Oakley officer was justified in killing a man who’d fired at police several times during an armed standoff, the Contra Costa District Attorney ruled.The DA’s decision, announced Friday, was unsurprising in light of circumstances surrounding the the Aug. 25, 2022 death of 58-year-old Frank Correa. Called to the home for a report of domestic violence, the officers spent two hours trying to convince Correa to surrender peacefully, during which time fired “three or four volleys” at them, according to police testimony at Correa’s inquest hearing.When Officer Brett Jackson saw Correa making another trip to the front door, where he’d fired from earlier, he asked his sergeant for permission to shoot. After receiving permission, he shot twice at Correa, who staggered back to his bedroom and later died from his injuries.“Oakley Police Officers were advised they were responding to the scene of a reported domestic violence incident o...

Deadly force against Oakley man who threatened to kill girlfriend justified, DA rules

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:50 GMT

(KRON) -- An officer who used deadly force against an Oakley man who threatened to kill his girlfriend and shot at officers last year was justified in his actions, the Contra Costa County District Attorney said. The DA's report stems from an incident on Aug. 25, 2022 involving Frank Correa.It was reported, the DA's office said, that Correa was armed with a semi-automatic firearm and had threatened to kill his girlfriend at his residence. Correa's girlfriend managed to escape safely before police were contacted about the incident. ATM stolen from CVS after brazen smash and grab: video Oakley Police Department officers responded to the scene and attempted to de-escalate the situation for over two hours, the DA said. Correa fired seven shots at the responding officers.It was then that Oakley PD Sergeant Jeff Soloman authorized Officer Brett Jackson to use lethal force against Correa "to counter an imminent threat of death/great bodily injury," the DA's office said.A legal analysis o...

Mission District street vendors rally against ban

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:50 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Vendors who have been banned from selling in the Mission District rallied Friday, asking the city to let them continue to work at 24th and Mission streets. One of the vendors told KRON 4 he has lost so much income since the ban that he is now homeless.That vendor broke down in tears, saying he couldn’t make rent because of the ban that went into effect this month.The vendor, Luis Ledesma, says he is now forced to spend the holidays living in a shelter with his wife and 2-year-old child after the ban on street vending in the Mission District. On Friday, he joined the rally at 24th and Mission to call on San Francisco city leaders to continue to allow him to legally sell merchandise where he has done so for 20 years. ATM stolen from CVS after brazen smash and grab: video “These past few weeks have been terrible for me. Sales have dropped, and now I am living in a shelter through a program, and it’s all thanks to Hilary,” Ledesma said.Supervisor Hilary Ronen...

Burglars take 40+ iPhones from Berkeley Apple Store

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:50 GMT

(KRON) -- More than 40 iPhones were stolen from a Berkeley Apple Store on Thursday afternoon, the Berkeley Police Department confirmed. The burglary was reported to police at 12:42 p.m. Two or three suspects allegedly entered the store at 1823 Fourth St. wearing all black and took 40+ phones. Palo Alto mail carrier robbed by 2 men; $150,000 reward offered They drove off in a white SUV, going towards Highway 80, police said. As of Thursday, they had not been located. Berkeley police are investigating the burglary. It remains unknown whether the burglars were armed.

Maryland issues advisory on eating certain fish from local waterways

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:50 GMT

The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued an advisory about eating certain types of fish from local waterways over concerns about “forever chemicals.”The new advisory covers largemouth and smallmouth bass, sunfish, bluegill and white perch, according to the department.Officials say people do not need to avoid consuming these fish entirely, but should eat them in moderation.Recent testing examined the levels of PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances also known as forever chemicals, in fish found in Maryland waterways.“PFAS refers to a group of more than 4,000 human-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s in a range of products, including stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpeting, cleaning products, paints, cookware, food packaging and fire-fighting foams,” according to a news release.The testing did not prompt a warning to stop eating the fish completely, but officials cautioned that eating large amounts could increase the risk...

Red Sox acquire Gold Glove-winning OF Tyler O’Neill from Cardinals for 2 pitchers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:50 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox acquired outfielder Tyler O’Neill from the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, bringing in a two-time Gold Glove winner to replace the departing Alex Verdugo.St. Louis received right-handers Nick Robertson and Victor Santos in return.O’Neill finished eighth in the NL MVP voting in 2021, batting .286 with 34 homers and 80 RBIs. But he hasn’t come close to that production since – or before — with a .248 average and 78 homers in his six-year career.O’Neill is in his final season of arbitration eligibility and could become a free agent after the 2024 season. He is projected to earn a salary of $5.5 million.Robertson appeared in 18 games for the Red Sox and Dodgers last season, with a 0-1 record and 6.04 ERA. Santos, who missed all of 2023 with a right elbow injury, has a 23-48 record and 5.21 ERA in seven seasons with the Tigers, Rockies, Rangers, Brewers, Pirates, Reds and Orioles. The Cardinals said he will be assigned to the minor leagues. “As we look to ad...

Jordan Spieth pushes back on report that Patrick Cantlay is calling shots in PGA Tour negotiations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:50 GMT

Jordan Spieth dispelled the notion he is part of an alliance with Tiger Woods and Patrick Cantlay on the PGA Tour board as the deadline nears for the tour to finalize its framework agreement with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf, who have lured away Masters champion Jon Rahm.Sports Illustrated reported the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia indicated it was willing to not only pump $2 billion into the proposed commercial deal as part of the June 6 agreement, but an additional $1 billion equalization pool for PGA Tour players who turned down LIV’s lucrative offers.It also said Cantlay had seized control and was driving the negotiations with Woods and Spieth as part of an alliance to protect the interests of top players. Spieth recently was appointed to finish the board term of Rory McIlroy, who resigned last month and who often sparred with Cantlay.“There’s no fact to it,” Spieth told The Associated Press by phone on Friday. “It’s been very collective since I’...

US Sen. Kevin Cramer’s son makes court appearance after crash that killed North Dakota deputy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:50 GMT

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — The 42-year-old son of U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer made his first court appearance Friday on manslaughter and other charges after he allegedly fled from authorities and crashed into a squad car, killing a North Dakota sheriff’s deputy who was taking cover behind the vehicle.Ian Cramer, of Bismarck, faces multiple counts, including manslaughter, fleeing a police officer and reckless endangerment in connection with Wednesday’s pursuit and crash that killed 53-year-old Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin.Cramer did not enter a plea on Friday — that will happen at a later hearing. He appeared in court remotely via videoconference from jail in a neighboring county. District Judge Bobbi Weiler set a $500,000 cash bond, which prosecutors requested, and ordered a mental health evaluation.Mercer County State’s Attorney Todd Schwarz cited Cramer’s criminal record in other states when asking for the cash bond, and said he intends to file additional...