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Time capsules, social media or parking disputes – what was the motive for Mission Peak pole vandalism?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:14 GMT

For decades, the “Mission Peeker” pole at the summit of Mission Peak, a mountain just east of Fremont, has been a distinctive symbol of the region — a colorful summit marker and photo destination atop one of the most popular hikes in the entire Bay Area.Over the years, the pole has served as the backdrop for thousands of photos, a singular point surrounded by the panoramic backdrop of the San Francisco Bay.But on Saturday morning, it was gone. At some point in the night, it had been unceremoniously sliced in half and tossed two hundred feet down the side of the mountain.As of now, it’s unclear if it will ever be restored. But even if the pole ceases to serve as a symbol of having struggled up a 2,000-foot trail, it may now come to represent a different battle–the right to access Mission Peak.“This is not an engineering problem–the technical aspects of welding a pole back together,” said Kelly Abreu, a Fremont resident and member of the Mission Peak Conservancy. “The real issue...

Special counsel: Trump’s remarks risk tainting jury poll

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:14 GMT

By Eric Tucker | Associated PressWASHINGTON — Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith warned Tuesday that former President Donald Trump’s “daily” statements risk tainting a jury pool in Washington in the criminal case charging him with scheming to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.Trump’s provocative comments about both Smith’s team and U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan — who is presiding over the case — have been a central issue since the indictment was filed last month. Prosecutors have repeatedly signaled their concerns about the impact of Trump’s social media posts and Chutkan explicitly warned Trump against inflammatory remarks that could intimidate witnesses or contaminate potential jurors.The posts continued Tuesday both before and after the latest concern flared, with Trump earlier in the day circulating a New York Post story about Chutkan on his Truth Social platform and openly mocking the idea that she could be...

Letters: Unfair charges | No negotiations | Trump attorney | Union dollars | Unbelievable scheme | Disregarding MAGA

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:14 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.PG&E charging forexcess energy unfairYears back I invested in solar panels.  My Net Energy Metering, the annual solar adjustment from PG&E, is negative $1,200 because I produce way more than I use. Without this surplus production, PG&E would bill me. They take the electricity my private resources produce (no consent necessary) and resell it to others.So I have never owed an NEM — until now.  Despite the huge credit balance in my account, I received nothing (they always simply cancel it) and they billed me $100 — essentially making me pay them to take my power and resell it.I am 100% ready to hang the batteries on the house and cut the cord — in which case the excess power helps no one — but I refuse to be charged for freely supporting the community.So someone at PG&E, please respond and give me a reason why I should not do this. Otherwise, goodbye.Stacy SpinkCastro ValleyNegot...

Sale closed in Palo Alto: $5.6 million for a six-bedroom home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:14 GMT

1005 Parkinson Avenue – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 1000 block of Parkinson Avenue in Palo Alto has new owners. The 4,102-square-foot property, built in 2008, was sold on Aug. 14, 2023, for $5,630,000, or $1,373 per square foot. This two-story house presents a roomy floor plan, featuring six bedrooms and five baths. Inside, a fireplace adds character to the home. The property is equipped with forced air heating and a cooling system. In addition, the house comes with a one-car garage.Additional houses that have recently been sold close by include:On Guinda Street, Palo Alto, in May 2023, a 2,901-square-foot home was sold for $3,654,000, a price per square foot of $1,260. The home has 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.In March 2023, a 2,561-square-foot home on Melville Avenue in Palo Alto sold for $5,100,000, a price per square foot of $1,991. The home has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.A 560-square-foot home on the 1200 block of Middlefield Road in Palo Alto sold in March ...

Killing of Oakley girl ended with juvenile court sentence for shooter, court records show

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:14 GMT

WALNUT CREEK — A 19-year-old man was sentenced as a juvenile for murdering an Oakley teen when he was 16, maxing out his possible confinement to his 25th birthday, court records recently revealed.Jose Campos pleaded no contest to second-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Aliciabelen “A.B.” Vela, who died after a fatal shooting in Antioch on Nov. 5, 2019. Vela’s boyfriend was also wounded by gunfire but survived the shooting.Campos and his co-defendant were arrested within days of the shooting but both were charged as juveniles, where public access to courts are limited and prosecutors claim they’re barred from revealing details of hearings. But a recently filed appellate court decision has shed light on the outcome of Campos’ case.Police at the time called Vela’s killing the result either a setup or a disagreement during a minor marijuana deal. Vela’s boyfriend allegedly arranged to buy a single joint of marijuana from Campos’ co-defe...

Pennsylvania manhunt for escaped killer in its 6th day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:14 GMT

By Lauren Mascarenhas and Alisha Ebrahimiji | CNNThe manhunt for Danelo Cavalcante that has communities in southeastern Pennsylvania on high alert has shifted after the escaped murderer was spotted just south of the original search area, state police said Tuesday.Cavalcante escaped from Chester County Prison on Thursday morning and authorities began by scouring a heavily wooded area in Pocopson Township and Chester County within 2 miles of the prison – a rural area around 30 miles west of Philadelphia.Law enforcement has now expanded the perimeter of the search after a security camera on Monday evening recorded Cavalcante at a popular botanical gardens that is almost 3 miles away from the correctional facility.“We believe he is just south of that (original search) radius and that’s why, again, we’ve shifted that perimeter now to include that area,” Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said during a news conference Tuesday.Cavalcante was spotted by a security camera Monda...

A huge threat to the U.S. budget has receded. And no one is sure why.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:14 GMT

By Margot Sanger-Katz and Alicia Parlapiano | New York TimesFor decades, runaway Medicare spending was the story of the federal budget.Now, flat Medicare spending might be a bigger one.Something strange has been happening in this giant federal program. Instead of growing and growing, as it always had before, spending per Medicare beneficiary has nearly leveled off over more than a decade.The trend can be a little hard to see because, as baby boomers have aged, the number of people using Medicare has grown. But it has had enormous consequences for federal spending. Budget news often sounds apocalyptic, but the Medicare trend has been unexpectedly good for federal spending, saving taxpayers a huge amount relative to projections.“Without a doubt, this is the most important thing that has happened to the federal budget in the last 20 years,” said David Cutler, a professor of health policy and medicine at Harvard, who helped the Obama White House develop the Affordable Care A...

Victim stabbed outside Santa Clara bar

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:14 GMT

(KRON) -- A victim was stabbed behind Normandy House Lounge in Santa Clara on Saturday night, police said. Officers detained a suspect, Lorenzo Lopez, at the bar on Washington Street and took him into custody.Lopez was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder. The victim was treated at a hospital for injuries from multiple stab wounds. No other details about the incident were released.

Part of Livermore to be sprayed Tuesday night for mosquitos infected by West Nile Virus

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:14 GMT

(BCN) -- Residents in East Livermore might want to keep their heads down Tuesday night, when the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District will spray for adult mosquitoes due to increased West Nile virus activity. The district said it will apply an oil-based insecticide, Evergreen ULV (5-25) Ground, using a truck-mounted ultra-low volume sprayer. The area to be treated is bounded by Patterson Road to the north, East Avenue to the south, North Mines Road to the west and South Vasco Road to the east. The spraying will start sometime after 10:30 p.m. and will continue for a few hours. The district said a number of dead birds tested positive for West Nile virus, and two groups of positive mosquitoes have been found recently in the treatment area. Alameda County Sheriff looking for runaway missing teen District general manager Ryan Clausnitzer said in a statement, "We expect a quick and effective response by our team will suppress the mosquito population and lower t...

Patriots’ Jack Jones to serve 1 year of probation, community service in firearms case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:14 GMT

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots defensive back Jack Jones has agreed to serve one year of probation and 48 hours of community service in exchange for prosecutors dropping eight of the nine weapons charges he faced in connection with his June arrest at a security checkpoint at Boston’s Logan Airport for allegedly having two loaded guns in his carry-on bag.The deal was reached during a hearing Tuesday in Boston Municipal court. Jones, 25, was arrested in June after two firearms were found in what police identified as being his carry-on luggage. He was charged with two counts each of unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm, possession of a large-capacity magazine and possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card. He was also charged with an airport security violation. Tuesday’s court filing showed that the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office dropped all the weapons charges. He received pre-trial probation for the security v...