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Saratoga’s economy bounces back from pandemic, but major budget deficit still looms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:42 GMT

The City of Saratoga’s local economy bounced back from the pandemic last fiscal year, but a potential budget deficit could still be growing.Staff said Saratoga’s revenue sources were nearly 8% higher than anticipated for fiscal year 2022-23, and its expenditures came in 2% under budget. Higher than expected revenue from property taxes along with a boost in charges for services caused the increase.“Overall, the fiscal year ended on a positive note, and we expect that to continue,” said administrative services director Nick Pegueros at the July 19 council meeting.Sales and hotel tax revenues saw a 4.9% increase, bringing in an additional $120,000, and charges for services like construction fees brought in 37.6% more revenue than budgeted, or $1.05 million.“Saratoga has experienced an extremely robust recovery from the impacts of the pandemic, and 2022-23 has the highest sales tax collections in the past 15 years and likely longer,” according to the staff report.Property taxes, the cit...

San Jose: Pedestrian suffers life-threatening injuries in traffic collision; partial Lincoln Avenue road closure in place

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:42 GMT

SAN JOSE — A West San Jose collision early Wednesday left a pedestrian with life-threatening injuries and forced road closures as emergency vehicles swarmed the scene, according to authorities.The crash in the 600 block of Lincoln Avenue was reported at 4:35 a.m., according to social media posts by San Jose police. The pedestrian was taken to a hospital. As of 6 a.m., there were no updates on the victim’s condition.No additional information about the crash was provided.Road closures are in place on Lincoln Ave in both directions between Auzerais Ave and Parkmoor Ave. Commute traffic will be impacted. Please use alternate routes and drive carefully around emergency vehicles. Updates will be provided as they become available. TOC: 04:35 AM— San José Police Media Relations (@SJPD_PIO) July 26, 2023Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | When driving in the express lane might not make sense: Roadshow Crashes and Disasters | Ready for the Eras Tour...

Businessman gets over 5 years in prison for “We Build The Wall” fundraiser fraud

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:42 GMT

NEW YORK — A Colorado businessman convicted of fraudulently siphoning hundreds of thousands of dollars from an online fundraiser that raised $25 million to build a wall along the U.S. southern border was sentenced Tuesday to five years and three months in prison.Timothy Shea was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by Judge Analisa Torres, who presided over an October trial that ended with his conviction on charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and obstruction of justice. A trial earlier in 2022 had ended when a jury deadlocked on charges.Shea, 52, of Castle Rock, Colorado, also was ordered to forfeit $1.8 million and to pay restitution of an equal amount.Shea was charged three years ago along with three others, including Steve Bannon, the former top adviser to then-President Donald Trump. Trump pardoned Bannon in early 2021 while two others pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison. Bannon, who is now being prosecuted in New York...

California Exodus: Once growing rapidly, state population projected to remain the same through 2060

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:42 GMT

After adding residents for nearly its entire history, California can expect its population to remain roughly the same through 2060, new projections show, in a trend that would upend previous predictions and threaten the Golden State’s status as an economic powerhouse.The forecast from the state’s finance department comes on the heels of three years of unprecedented population declines totaling about 1%, as residents fed up with high housing costs and other quality-of-life concerns fled California in droves.A decade ago, the finance department had projected the state population would maintain its upward trajectory, reaching about 53 million people by 2060. But after accounting for factors including declining births, aging residents, and more people moving away in the years leading up to and during the pandemic, officials now project the population will hold steady at around 39.5 million.“Adding those numbers has shown a reality that’s different than what we ex...

Two women and 14-year-old boy found dead in Colorado mountains had gone to “live off the grid”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:42 GMT

A woman from Colorado Springs, her son and her sister apparently were trying to “live off the grid” in the mountains near a wilderness area northeast of Gunnison when they died at a campsite last winter, Gunnison County authorities said Tuesday.While a final toxicology analysis hasn’t been completed, the three decomposed bodies found at the remote campsite have been identified as those of Rebecca Vance, 42, Christine Vance, 41, and Rebecca’s 14-year-old son, Gunnison County Coroner Michael Barnes said.Formerly residents of Colorado Springs, they set out near the end of July last year, Barnes said. “According to some family members I talked to, they indicated they were going to go ‘live off the grid.’ They didn’t specify where. The family members said they trusted they knew what they were getting into.”Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Missing girl who bicycled away from home with her cat is found living in tent; mother’s ex arrested Crime and Public Saf...

When driving in the express lane might not make sense: Roadshow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:42 GMT

Q: I drive in express lanes with my wife where having two or more people is required. I don’t like to drive over the 65 mph speed limit, but find that many drivers treat that lane as the fast lane. I find myself easily going 75 or more sometimes. Am I within my rights to drive 65 or maybe 70?David M.A: You can drive 65 or 70 in the express lane when others are trying to drive faster, but you’re going to be more comfortable in a lane where you can drive safely without being pressured by people speeding up behind you.Q: On Via Del Oro between Great Oaks and Bernal Road in south San Jose, there are two entrances into a shopping center. There are solid yellow lines on the outside and dotted yellow lines on the inside, which means we can’t pass over them.Do you have any idea why they would not have put a break in them so that cars could actually enter and exit the driveways? The only legal way to enter is a break leading into the side parking lot of a men’s gym, and we have t...

Pedestrian struck by car in San Jose, hospitalized

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:42 GMT

(KRON) -- A pedestrian was struck by a car early Wednesday morning, according to the San Jose Police Department.At 4:35 a.m., a collision occurred between a car and a pedestrian in the 600 block of Lincoln Avenue. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. Both directions of Lincoln Ave. are closed between Auzerais and Parkmoor Avenues. San Jose police are advising drivers to expect traffic delays in the area and to use alternate routes.

City of Vallejo approves emergency declaration

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:42 GMT

(KRON) -- The City of Vallejo approved an emergency declaration Tuesday night due to staffing shortages in their police department. Car that veered off Sanchez stairs was carjacked In recent months, staffing at the Vallejo Police Department has been steadily declining which has raised concern regarding public safety. Under the approved declaration, the city manager will have the authority to name city employees as temporary officers if needed.

Extreme heat impacting gas prices

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:42 GMT

(KRON) -- Gas prices are going up again and experts say extreme heat around the world is partially to blame. The national average of a gallon of gas is $3.68, which is up by 10 cents from last week and up by four cents on Tuesday, according to AAA. Car that veered off Sanchez stairs was carjacked Heat is playing a major factor along with slower production overseas from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia, leaving oil prices in the United States to jump by two-percent over the last week. A barrel of oil now costs $80. Here is how much you can expect to pay for gas around the Bay Area, according to AAA:

Court rejects San Francisco's towing policy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:42 GMT

(KRON) -- The City of San Francisco must now offer a warrant to tow cars that are legally parked with five or more parking tickets. Car that veered off Sanchez stairs was carjacked A court found the city in violation of the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures by requiring warrants. The nonprofit, Coalition on Homelessness, filed an appeal against the city over its towing practices. They claim the city targeted low-income communities. KRON On is streaming news live now.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }A spokesperson for the city attorney's office said they are disappointed with the decision arguing that towing helps keep San Francisco's streets safer.