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Walters: State housing policy takes two steps forward, one step back

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:24 GMT

On one day last week, the Legislature sent two major pro-housing bills to Gov. Gavin Newsom, assumedly for his signature.One, Assembly Bill 1307, is aimed at overcoming a truly bizarre appellate court ruling that a long-pending University of California student housing project in the famous People’s Park site in Berkeley could be stalled if UC didn’t mitigate the noise that students would make.The court said that failing to consider the potential noise impacts from loud student parties in neighborhoods near campus in the was “a longstanding problem that the EIR improperly dismissed as speculative.” Its ruling, in effect, handed anti-housing interests a powerful new way to misuse the California Environmental Quality Act.The second measure, Assembly Bill 1114, would close an anti-housing loophole unique to San Francisco. City law allows an extra bite of the apple to project opponents, giving them the right to challenge building permits even after developments have cleared all other pol...

After nearly 80 years, a Monterey County family is able to lay their missing veteran to rest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:24 GMT

SEASIDE – Seventy-nine years and one day ago, 24-year-old Aviation Radioman First Class Wilbur Archie Mitts died during an aerial mission with two others in the Western Pacific – all three lost at sea in the violent crash. On Monday, Mitts was laid to rest near other family members at Mission Memorial Park in Seaside.Mitts’ remains were recovered in 2021 and he was officially accounted for in February.Mitts Mitts was paid tribute to by family members, local elected officials, U.S. Navy leaders, veterans, and community members turning out to honor his memory and sacrifice. The proceedings included a chapel service, honor guard, U.S. Flag ceremony, and burial honors.Mitts’ niece Diana Ward is the oldest living relative of the veteran and was born three days after he died. She recounted how the close-knit family kept his memory alive by telling stories, going over keepsakes and photos, and singing a hymn that was his favorite – “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” – that was played at...

Why it’s important to spay or neuter your pet

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:24 GMT

I know it’s not polite to stare but ever since I started working in animal welfare, I can’t help but notice when male dogs and cats aren’t neutered. The evidence is just so … prominent. But aside from how these dangly bits might look, it’s always surprising to me that in this day and age, some people still don’t want to spay or neuter their pets.Don’t get me wrong, the thought of having a beloved pet’s offspring to love when that pet is gone is tempting. We often romanticize the notion that their puppies or kittens will be just like their parent whom we adored — but they won’t. Animals are all individuals, just like us.Lack of spay/neuter is the single biggest contributing factor in the cause of unwanted pets. Pets in shelters across the United States face euthanasia simply because of pet overpopulation. That’s why at Marin Humane, cats, dogs and bunnies are all altered, as we call it, before they go to their forever homes. We want to end the cycle of breeding unwanted or neglected ...

Santa Cruz hotel guests suffer carbon monoxide poisoning in leak

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:24 GMT

SANTA CRUZ — A local hotel’s guests were rushed to an area hospital late Saturday night for treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning, authorities said.Responding to a report of occupants in medical distress shortly after 11 p.m. at the Ocean Street business, Santa Cruz firefighters investigated what they quickly believed was a gas leak after encountering two individuals suffering acute carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a department release.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Broken pin in landing gear discovered after jetliner landed in Southern California, came to rest on engine Crime and Public Safety | California mother of 6-year-old boy accused of manslaughter after her car hits and kills him Crime and Public Safety | “One Chip Challenge” makers Paqui remove dare from website after teen’s death Crime and Public Safety | Attempt to rescue stranded sailboat near Stinson Beach traps second vessel...

Disneyland halts sales of all new Magic Key annual passes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:24 GMT

The on-again and off-again sale of Disneyland annual passes is once again on hold following a $9.5 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over “deceptive” Magic Key blockout dates.Disneyland has paused new sales of the top-priced Inspire Key annual pass — meaning none of the four Magic Key tiers is currently available for purchase.The $1,599 Inspire Key, $1,099 Believe Key, $699 Enchant Key and $449 Imagine Key are now available for renewal only during the month before expiration, according to the Disneyland website.The pause in sales of new Disneyland annual passes coincides with the Anaheim theme park’s settlement of a Magic Key class action lawsuit.Disney has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit filed in California alleging that annual passholders who purchased the $1,399 Dream Key in 2021 were unable to make theme park reservations at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure despite the promise of “no blockout dates.”Disneyland killed its original decades-old annual pass p...

Elias: Newsom-DeSantis debate may mean more in 2028 than 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:24 GMT

Think for a moment about a few political facts such as this one: California Gov. Gavin Newsom is among President Biden’s most vociferous backers, and now may be too late for Biden to back out of next year’s campaign. Here’s another: Newsom’s second and final term as governor ends almost two years before the next presidential election.Related ArticlesLocal News | Elias: Basing Californians’ electricity rates on income unworkable Local News | Elias: Contrary to some claims, California friendly to certain businesses Local News | Elias: Newsom’s gun control amendment may open Pandora’s box So Newsom must have realized early on that if he ever wants to be president, he must establish himself as a major national Democratic figure independent of the office he now holds. That’s the context of his putative upcoming debate with Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who by now also must be aware that he too will not be running...

Hayward man arrested for allegedly robbing Macy's in San Mateo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:24 GMT

(KRON) -- A Hayward man was arrested on Saturday for allegedly robbing a Macy's store, according to the San Mateo Police Department.On Thursday around 8 p.m., a man was placed several bottles of perfume in a plastic bag at a Macy's store located at the Hillsdale Shopping Center. The man, later identified as Ruben Polanco, left the store with the bag of perfume bottles once he realized a loss prevention agent began to take notice, police said.A physical struggle ensued outside of the store when the loss prevention agent attempted to regain possession of the merchandise. The agent took a picture of Polanco's license plate as he drove away, SMPD said. Massive sinkhole forms in SF intersection after water main break On Saturday, the Fremont Police Department located the 33-year-old's car. Polanco was arrested by San Mateo police and booked into the San Mateo County Jail for second degree robbery. A week prior to Polanco robbing the Macy's at Hillsdale Shopping Center, another robbery ...

Chile savoring every moment of Rugby World Cup debut. Even a big defeat.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:24 GMT

Losing by 30 points never felt so good to Marcelo Torrealba.The Chile scrumhalf savored every moment of his, and his country’s, Rugby World Cup debut — from singing the national anthem to witnessing the passion of the team’s colorful fans, seeing his friends and family in the crowd and feeling the muscles burn in his legs in the most intense game he’s ever played.“I’m grateful for what I am living as a player,” Torrealba said Tuesday as he looked back with pride on Chile’s 42-12 loss to Japan in Toulouse, France, on Sunday. “They are unique things that will remain with me forever.”For the players and fans of Los Condores, this is more than just a rugby tournament. It’s a “party” — in Torrealba’s words — and a celebration of the strides Chilean rugby has made to get to its first World Cup.Just take Torrealba himself. He attended the 2015 World Cup in Britain as a 19-year-old fan, thinking he’d never have the chance to be at the tournament as a player.Indeed, a few months later ...

Would toll lanes improve commutes on south side of Capital Beltway?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:24 GMT

Virginia is considering extending the Express Lanes by 11 miles, from where they currently end in Springfield, through Alexandria, over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, to the Route 210 interchange in Maryland.The Virginia Department of Transportation’s I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study, which began last year, is contemplating a variety of options to deal with typically heavy weekday traffic. According to VDOT, the heaviest traveled segment is between U.S. Route 1 in Alexandria and Interstate 295 at the Wilson Bridge.When the Wilson Bridge was rebuilt in the early 2000s, space was preserved on the bridge decks for future projects.Among the study’s potential configurations across the bridge are two express lanes in each direction or one lane for rapid bus or Metrorail if the system were extended to the National Harbor area.Two public meetings are being held this week: Tuesday, a virtual public meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with details on how to attend ava...

Committee to vote on possible delay of Denver sidewalk fees

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:24 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — A vote will take place during a city council committee meeting on Tuesday and decide if sidewalk fees and repairs for Denver homeowners should be delayed. The initiative was originally passed by Denver voters last November.The fees were set to start on Jan. 1, 2024, but there is a current proposal by a council member to delay the start date by six months. If the vote passes, the new start date would be on July 1, 2024. How to check your expected bill for sidewalk repairs in Denver Proponents said the reason for the delay is responding to concerns regarding the current fee structure and allowing time for property owners to financially plan for another municipal fee. This issue falls under the Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which meets Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. The revenue from the sidewalk fees will be placed in a special...