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As homelessness grows, Alameda County declares a state of emergency

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:02:23 GMT

When Alameda County adopted a $2.5 billion plan to address homelessness, it sought to stem the tide of a crisis that has intensified since the start of the pandemic. But nearly two years into the multifaceted effort, more people are still becoming homeless than are being housed.The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this week to approve a countywide state of emergency on homelessness that will give officials one more tool for turning the tide.“We can’t just allow people to continue to live like this,” Supervisor Nate Miley said in an interview.In Alameda County, the number of unhoused people grew by 22% to 9,747 people between 2017 and 2022, the majority of whom live in or outside cars. According to the county’s declaration, many of the unhoused have at least one disability, and the maximum social security disability check of around $1,000 is woefully inadequate to afford housing in the hyper-expensive Bay Area,Furthermore, experts who work with the unhoused communit...

Santa Clara University: Cross country team’s goofy team pics — a viral sensation last year — return

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:02:23 GMT

For many, picture day is about looking your very best. But for Santa Clara University’s men’s cross country team, bad haircuts, outrageous mustaches and goofy expressions are par for the course for annual roster photos.Harvey Chilcott recalled the shocked look on his barber’s face when he went to get his hair fixed the day after he shot his roster photo about a week ago.The fifth-year master’s student from Tasmania had asked his neighbors to give him a jagged and lopsided curtain haircut — a sharp contrast from what the popular ’90s look worn by a young Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio is supposed to look like — before taking the scissors into his own hands and carving out some bald spots.Santa Clara University cross country runner Harvey Chilcott, a grad student, looks into a mirror as he has his hair cut by his neighbors Katie Walsh, center, and Caroline Harrington, right, as teammates look on as they prepare for their headshots the night before media ...

Renderings for massive Concord Naval Weapons Station development slated for public review in November

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:02:23 GMT

CONCORD — Drafts of detailed renderings and land-use plans for the massive transformation envisioned for the former Concord Naval Weapons Station should finally be ready for community input by Nov. 14.That’s a rapid acceleration for a project that’s taken nearly two decades and three different master developers to conceive the latest billion-dollar vision: tens of thousands of homes and millions of square-feet of schools, offices, shops and restaurants.Up until now, that vision has more closely resembled a mirage since the turn of the century, largely thanks to a history of labor disputes, power plays and allegations of backroom deals.The current, bold timeline was unanimously approved during a special meeting Tuesday, when the Concord City Council — acting as the Local Reuse Authority — officially inked an exclusive negotiating agreement with Brookfield Properties — the first of many multiple legal agreements that will clarify final timelines, costs and strategies...

Cordeiro keeps San Jose State’s offense moving heading into Mountain West opener vs. Air Force

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:02:23 GMT

SAN JOSE — All things considered, San Jose State quarterback Chevan Cordeiro is having a better season than you might think.The Spartans are 1-3 heading into Friday night’s Mountain West Conference opener against Air Force, but Cordeiro is putting up numbers similar to the ones he did last season when he was second-team all-conference and helped guide SJSU to a seven-win season and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.The senior is on pace to pass for about 2,500 yards, 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions despite a relentless season-opening schedule that has seen the Spartans face two top-20 teams and another defending conference champion. According to SportSource Analytics, the Spartans have played the ninth-toughest schedule in the nation to open the season.“He’s such a valuable asset to our team,” SJSU head coach Brent Brennan said this week. “We go as he goes a little bit on offense.”Through four games, the Hawaii product has passed for 783 yards and six touchdowns with just one ...

Head of San Francisco-based private equity firm accused of assault by ex-partner

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:02:23 GMT

By Ava Benny-Morrison | BloombergGenstar Capital Chairman Jean-Pierre “J-P” Conte was sued by his former longtime girlfriend, who alleges the head of the $49 billion private equity firm assaulted her in the Aspen home they shared and then launched a smear campaign against her.Hillary Thomas filed a lawsuit against Conte Thursday in Colorado state court in Aspen. Along with assault, battery and other claims, she’s suing him for allegedly violating commitments he made under a May 2021 separation agreement they entered into at the end of their nearly decade-long relationship.In a statement, a lawyer for Conte denied the assault allegation and called the suit a “money grab” by Thomas. “Mr. Conte never attacked or abused her,” the lawyer, Kerry Wright Garvis, said.“This case against Jean-Pierre Conte is about holding to account an abusive man who believes his power and privilege puts him above the law,” one of Thomas’s lawyers, Sigrid McCawley of Boies Schiller & Flexner, said in a s...

Horses rescued from trailer hanging over 100-foot drop in San Mateo County

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:02:23 GMT

(KRON) -- Crews in San Mateo County saved two horses Thursday that were inside a trailer hanging precariously over a 100-foot drop.Multiple agencies responded to the horse rescue on Pescadero Creek Road in San Mateo County, including Cal Fire CZU, Woodside Fire, Coastside Fire, Peninsula Humane Society, San Mateo County Large Animal Evacuation Group and San Mateo County Parks. Crews were able to stabilize the trailer that was hanging over the 100-foot drop until a tow truck arrived on scene.(Cal Fire CZU)The two horses are recovering from minor injuries, responders said.

Sept. 22-24: Things to do near Denver this weekend

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:02:23 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Happy weekend! The end of September consists of fall fests, films, jack-o'-lanterns and beer. While this week's heat hasn't felt like fall, the official start of fall is on Saturday. With it comes temperatures below the 80s for Denver Weather.All weekend:Magic of the Jack O'Lanterns (9/22-10/31)Join the opening night at the Hudson Gardens and walk through a trail of 7,000 glowing, hand-carved pumpkins. The light show offers more than just jack-o'-lanterns. You'll also find a lit-up sea-scape, pirate ship, dinosaurs and dragons. Firefly Handmade Fall Market (9/22-9/24)Denver American Indian Festival (9/23-9/24)Denver Oktoberfest (9/22-10/1)Starting on Friday at 5 p.m., you can enjoy beer and wine, German food and get a commemorative 53rd Annual Denver Oktoberfest Stein. The event is free with everything available for purchase a la carte, or you can get a VIP pass that includes everything listed above. Beaver Creek Resort, Epicurean Adventure (9/21-9/24)Great American...

University of Florida students face housing delays, hotel stay options

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:02:23 GMT

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WSVN) — Students at the University of Florida are encountering housing challenges as they were set to move into UFORA, a Gainesville apartment complex, last year. However, due to contractor delays, the units remain unfinished, leaving hundreds of students in a tough spot.In response to the housing delays, residents were given two options: they could either arrange their own accommodations with a stipend provided or pay rent and temporarily stay in a hotel.This situation highlights the struggles faced by students seeking housing solutions for college and underscores the need for a resolution to ensure a smooth transition for those affected.

Florida woman ‘borrows’ alligator for birthday celebration, faces charges

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:02:23 GMT

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WSVN) — In a Florida tale that’s sure to leave you saying, only in Florida, a woman in Orange County decided to tap into her wild side on her birthday by “borrowing” an alligator. The bizarre incident unfolded when Madison Stephan snuck into her former workplace, Croc Encounters, in Tampa and made off with a 2-foot alligator named Smiley.Smiley the alligator found an unusual temporary home in a hotel bathtub at the “Grove Resort and Water Park” in Winter Garden earlier this month. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Stephan claimed she brought the gator on vacation with her to take a picture for her birthday. The audacious escapade took a turn when officials crashed the party, discovering the reptile in the hotel room. Now, Madison Stephan is facing charges of unlawful possession of an alligator. Frank Robb, an alligator expert with the non-profit organization EEARSS, remarked on the situa...

Trial for man accused of involvement in 2021 banquet hall mass shooting in NW Miami-Dade enters 2nd day

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:02:23 GMT

The trial for a man accused of being a lookout outside a South Florida banquet hall during a shooting continued on Friday.Twenty-four-year-old Davonte Barnes is facing three counts of first-degree murder and 20 counts of attempted murder.According to prosecutors, Barnes admitted to being a lookout during the shooting at the El Mula Banquet Hall in Northwest Miami-Dade back in 2021.Barnes’ attorneys argued that he admitted what investigators wanted him to.