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Letters: Abandoning tenants | Deaf culture | Western contributions | Conservative alienation | Precise language

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:16:00 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Supervisors leavetenants in the lurchRe: “Tenants say landlords neglecting dingy units” (Page A1, Aug. 9).A report detailing illegal housing conditions for up to one-third of renters in unincorporated Alameda County illustrates the need to protect tenants from eviction for reporting landlord violations.In December 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved the first reading of three tenant protection ordinances: the Rental Housing Registration ordinance, the Just Cause ordinance and the Fair Chance ordinance. Unfortunately, in February of this year, all three ordinances failed a necessary second reading and were defeated.The Just Cause ordinance would have prevented landlords from evicting tenants for filing complaints of illegal and unsafe housing conditions. Landlords would have to offer a legal reason for the eviction and tenants who file complaints against illegal housing conditions would b...

Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:16:00 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.PG&E must insulateits bare wiresRe: “Outages marring PG&E’s upgrades” (Page A1, Aug. 10).Those who decry the frequent power outages associated with modernized circuit breakers should lobby the CPUC and our legislators to demand that the utility immediately insulate its bare wires. This can be accomplished relatively quickly and cost-effectively compared to undergrounding, allowing the sensitivities on the circuit breakers to be lowered more than they already are.Over the years, and for many reasons, PG&E has caused much suffering with its reckless management strategies geared only toward maximum profit. And the CPUC has been complicit. We must all use the power of our voices and votes loudly and clearly to get these two agencies to act more responsibly.Jennifer NormoyleHillsboroughCDE was wrong totarget Stanford professorRe: “Pandemic over, but absences still high” (Page A1, Aug. ...

Cruise blames Outside Lands for Friday traffic fiasco

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:16:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- One day after receiving approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to expand driverless vehicles' presence in San Francisco, Cruise experienced issues that halted traffic in the city. Viewer video (above) sent to KRON4 shows at least five Cruise cars blocking traffic Friday night in the North Beach neighborhood. The driverless cars stopped in the middle of the road and prevented travelers from driving around the traffic. At least six Cruise vehicles were seen causing traffic near Grant Avenue and Vallejo Street. One person in the video is heard saying there were approximately 10 stationary Cruise cars. ‘Worse than a drunk driver’: San Franciscans remain skeptical of driverless cars The Cruise cars stopped because of "wireless connectivity issues," a Cruise spokesperson said in a statement to KRON4. The autonomous vehicle company confirmed connectivity issues were linked to Outside Lands, which held its first day of the th...

Pittsburg man arraigned for violent carjackings involving hammer

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:16:00 GMT

(KRON) -- A Pittsburg man has been arraigned on a 13-count complaint involving violent carjacking attempts involving the use of a hammer as a deadly weapon, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office. Sean Christopher White, 33, committed the offenses in the City of Walnut Creek, unincorporated Walnut Creek, and the City of Pleasant Hill, the DA said. Body found at Golden Gate Park identified as San Francisco woman The crime spree, which impacted multiple victims, according to the DA, involved:Three attempted carjackings -- one with an enhancement for the use of a hammer as a deadly weaponOne count of carjackingTwo counts of driving or taking a vehicle without consentTwo counts of first-degree burglary where a victim was presentOne count of criminal threats with an enhancement for the use of a hammer as a deadly weaponIndecent exposureVandalism which destroyed or damaged property valued over $400Receiving stolen property valued over $950White is currently bein...

Rays' All-Star Franco to sit against Giants amid investigation into alleged relationship with minor

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:16:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- When the Tampa Bay Rays take the field at Oracle Park this week, they will be without All-Star shortstop Wander Franco. Less than two years after he was handed the largest contract in Rays history, Franco was placed on the restricted list on Monday and will be away from the team. Authorities in the Dominican Republic are investigating him for having an alleged relationship with a minor, the D.R.'s attorney general confirmed to the Associated Press. Local gymnast sets eyes on 2024 Olympics Social media posts first accused the 22-year-old infielder of an improper relationship. Major League Baseball is investigating the situation as well. "We support any steps taken by the league to better understand the situation. Out of respect for all parties involved, we have no further comments at this time," the Rays said. The Rays said the team and Franco "mutually agreed" to place him on the restricted list. He will not play in their three games in San Francisco or th...

Former Oakland police chief files wrongful termination lawsuit

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:16:00 GMT

(KRON) -- Oakland's former chief of police has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the City of Oakland, KRON4 has confirmed. Former Oakland Police Department Chief LeRonne Armstrong has filed suit against the city in response to being placed on administrative leave and later let go earlier this year. Body found at Golden Gate Park identified as San Francisco woman Armstrong was placed on leave in February in relation to a report released by a law firm working for the Federal Monitor that suggested Armstrong had mishandled two incidents of misconduct within the department. At the time, Armstrong accused the report of misstating and mischaracterizing statements he'd made regarding the incidents and demanded to be reinstated.

Rohnert Park police activity resolved, according to police

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:16:00 GMT

(KRON) -- Police activity on the Rohnert Park Expressway has concluded, according to the Rohnert Park Department of Public Service. Earlier, Rohnert Park police in Sonoma County had asked the public to avoid the area around Rohnert Park Expressway near Chuck E. Cheese because of "police activity." "Rohnert Park DPS is currently involved in a police activity on Rohnert Park Expressway in the area of Food Maxx / Chuck E. Cheese. Please avoid this area for the time being. Do not call 911 unless you have a life or death emergency," police wrote on Twitter at 2 p.m. Monday. As of 3:57 p.m., the activity was resolved."There may still be responders in the area, please use caution," Rohnert Park DPS said. The department said more information about the incident would be released "as soon as possible."

Warren Buffett’s firm invests in the biggest homebuilders while reducing GM stake in portfolio moves

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:16:00 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Warren Buffett’s company appears to be betting on the housing market picking up because Berkshire Hathaway bought more than $700 million worth of homebuilder DR Horton’s stock this spring along with smaller stakes in fellow builders Lennar Corp. and NVR Corp.Berkshire revealed those new investments Monday in a quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that shows the conglomerate’s holdings as of the end of June.Investors always watch Berkshire’s moves closely because of Buffett’s remarkably successful track record over the years, but these filings don’t make clear which moves Buffett made and which ones were handled by one of the Omaha, Nebraska-based company’s two other investment managers. Buffett typically handles all the biggest investments in the $350 billion portfolio worth $1 billion or more. The three homebuilder stakes together are worth around $800 million.Berkshire holds nearly 6 million DR Ho...

Rockies activate Charlie Blackmon after he missed 2 months with a fractured right hand

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:16:00 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Colorado activated outfielder Charlie Blackmon from the injured list Monday after he missed two months with a fractured right hand.Blackmon was scheduled to lead off and be the DH on Monday in the first game of a three-game series against Arizona as the Rockies attempted to end a five-game losing streak.“Prior to the injury, Charlie was having a really good year,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “I suspect he is going to continue and have a strong finish to the season. He’s a really good baseball player and he’s an accomplished hitter. Charlie knows his game. It’s good to have him back. He conducts a professional major league at-bat.”Blackmon is batting .265 with 14 doubles, five homers and 26 RBIs. He was placed on the injured list June 11. He was struck by a pitch in the right hand June 3 and played in five games before the fracture was diagnosed on a follow-up X-ray.Colorado scored six runs in being swept in a four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers that ende...

Jets agree to terms with former Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, AP source says

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:16:00 GMT

The New York Jets agreed to terms on a one-year contract with former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook on Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.Cook, who turned 28 last week, joins a revamped Jets offense led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers and coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the agreement. NFL Network and ESPN first reported the deal is worth up to $8.6 million. Cook has run for at least 1,000 yards in each of the past four seasons, but was released by the Vikings on June 8 for salary cap savings. He was scheduled to count more than $14.1 million against the Vikings’ salary cap. Cook visited with New York on July 30 and watched practice after saying during an interview on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” the Jets “are right at the top of the list” and the odds of signing with them were “pretty high.”The former Florida State star also sa...