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Letters: Religious freedom | Reliable landlines | Trump PR | False narrative

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:50 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.State is a leaderin religious freedomRe: “Muslim woman settles her jail lawsuit” (Page B1, Nov. 22).The recent Mercury News story on the inappropriate removal of a Muslim woman’s hijab in a Santa Clara County jail rightly highlighted the county’s actions to prevent such incidents from occurring following its new religious services policy. My bill, SB 309, enshrined these religious freedoms into state law this year.Santa Clara County is a national leader in upholding religious expression and civil liberties for Californians, including those who are incarcerated. SB 309 guarantees the protection of religious rights and attire for Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Jews and all others. The law establishes guidelines for religious clothing, headwear and grooming in prisons or jails. I authored SB 309 with support and sponsorship by the Santa Clara County Peace Officers’ Association, CAIR, Tayba Fo...

Woman, 21, charged with murder in recent Oakland shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:50 GMT

OAKLAND — A 21-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with murdering a man in a shooting last September, court records show.Maricela Urias-Martinez was charged with murder in the death of Walter Mancia Menjiva, 25, of Oakland. Mancia Menjiva was shot and killed around 1 a.m. Sept. 27, on the 5700 block of International Boulevard, a few feet away from a nearby hotel. A few days later, a vehicle used in the shooting was set on fire, authorities said.Police say Urias-Martinez and Mancia Menjiva had previously dated, but authorities haven’t released the suspected motive for the shooting. The entire incident was captured on surveillance video, which allowed police to identify Urias-Martinez as a suspect.Police say that Urias-Martinez was arrested about two weeks after the shooting, on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle. She was released, then re-arrested on a murder warrant on Nov. 14. She gave a brief statement denying she had shot Mancia Menjiva, police say.Urias-M...

San Jose Sharks can’t hold lead in shootout loss to Montreal Canadiens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:50 GMT

SAN JOSE — William Eklund scored in the shootout but Mackenzie Blackwood allowed goals to Nick Suzuki and Jesse Ylönen in a six-round shootout as the San Jose Sharks lost 3-2 to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday.Blackwood made a save on Cole Caufield in the shootout, among others, and finished with 22 saves for the game before an announced crowd of 16,897 at SAP Center.The Sharks led 2-1 after two periods before Caufield fired a wrist shot past Blackwood at the 3:25 mark of the third to tie the game.The Sharks were hoping to bounce back against the Canadiens after they were thoroughly embarrassed 7-1 by the Seattle Kraken two days earlier. Before the game, Sharks coach David Quinn left it to his veterans to say what needed to be said to set the proper tone.“There are times where the leadership core has to take it upon themselves,” Quinn said. “I think today’s that day.”Something clicked, at least in the second period, as the Sharks scored twice to take a 2-0 lead.Mike Hoffman s...

Authorities ID NY couple who died in explosion at border

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:50 GMT

By John Miller, Elizabeth Wolfe and Celina Tebor | CNNInvestigators have identified the married couple killed Wednesday in a fiery explosion near the US-Canadian border that prompted a massive law enforcement response.Kurt P. Villani and his wife Monica Villani, both 53, died in the car crash on the US side of the Rainbow Bridge crossing, the Niagara Falls Police Department said in a news release. The couple lived in Grand Island, New York, the police department said.Relatives of the couple thanked well-wishers and asked the public for privacy.“We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all that extended prayers, condolences and well wishes,” family members said in a statement issued through the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. “We are deeply touched. At this point, we are requesting privacy so we may begin the process of healing. Thank you.”CNN previously reported investigators believed a man was travelling with his wife in a 2022 Bentley at a high rate of speed when the vehicle...

San Jose: Willow Glen’s Copita restaurant will begin serving lunch on Monday, Nov. 27

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:50 GMT

If you’re a diner who has been waiting for the crowds to calm down before trying the newest hotspot in San Jose’s Willow Glen district, there’s good news about options:Copita — officially Copita Tequileria y Comida — will launch seven-day-a-week lunch service on Monday, Nov. 27.Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | 7 incredible Bay Area things to do over Thanksgiving weekend Restaurants, Food and Drink | Where to find Miracle and Sippin’ Santa pop-up bars for kitschy Christmas fun Restaurants, Food and Drink | Popeyes adds bone-in wings in 5 flavors — and says they’re here to stay Restaurants, Food and Drink | Sunnyvale: After 29 years, Faultline brewery restaurant will rebrand as Laughing Monk Restaurants, Food and Drink | Site of popular Walnut Creek sports bar is bought At this contemporary Mexican restaurant from celeb chef Joanne Weir and executive c...

Amid higher prices, how much will Bay Area holiday shoppers spend this holiday season?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:50 GMT

Shoppers may be feeling squeezed by higher prices, but locally owned stores in the Bay Area are expecting to register big sales this holiday season, providing an anticipated boost to the region’s smaller downtowns after a year of economic challenges.Holiday shopping kicked off in earnest on Friday, with retailers large and small offering deals to lure price-conscious customers, while Christmas tree lots welcomed families eager to ring in the season.For some tree shoppers, prices appeared to have actually come down from what they said they spent last year. Andrew Aguero and his young family drove from Fremont to the Speer Family Farms’ Wonderland Trees lot in Alameda on Friday to find one in particular: a 7-foot Silver Tip Fir that cost about $180 last year. This year’s price tag? $120 for a similar tree.“It seemed a lot less this year, which was nice to see,” Aguero said. “I’m not too worried about what it is today. Luckily, a lot of people ...

San Jose State-UNLV: Spartans seek to stop explosive Rebels offense

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:50 GMT

SAN JOSE — San Jose State coach Brent Brennan has preached to his team all season that the true mark of a good team is whether or not it is playing meaningful games in November.Saturday’s matchup against UNLV (12 p.m., Mountain West Network) will be the most important game the Spartans play this regular season.UNLV (9-2, 6-1 Mountain West) is currently the best team in the conference, and in order for SJSU to have a chance at a Mountain West championship game berth, it will need to stifle the highest-scoring offense in the conference.“We’re getting ready to play a really good UNLV team,” Brennan said. “They do all the things that lead to winning football and it’s really impressive. They’ve got good players at all positions that present a whole bunch of different challenges. So this is an incredible challenge for our football team.”First-year head coach Barry Odom has turned around UNLV and has led the Rebels to their first nine-win season since 1984. When Odom was hired ...

All lanes of Highway 1 blocked after fatal crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:50 GMT

(KRON) -- All lanes of Highway 1 were blocked Friday afternoon after a crash, according to a 511 alert.The crash happened in the area where Highway 1 intersects with Highway 84 in the census-designated area of San Gregorio. It was reported at 3:04 p.m.According to California Highway Patrol's traffic log, a GMC Yukon was fully engulfed in flames and a coroner was called to the scene. Drivers should expect delays, per 511.This is a developing story. Stick with KRON4 for updates.

86-year-old man killed in Concord hit-and-run

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:50 GMT

(KRON) -- An 86-year-old man was killed on Thanksgiving night after a hit-and-run crash in Concord, the Concord Police Department said. CPD responded to the area of Oak Grove Road and Treat Boulevard at about 6:49 p.m. Thursday for the report of a hit-and-run crash. VIDEO: Van smashes into Pleasant Hill Kohl’s on Thanksgiving Upon arrival, officers determined that a second crash happened at Oak Grove Road and Ryan Road. The elderly male victim was a passenger in one of the involved cars, and he died at John Muir Hospital. CPD did not mention the health status of any other people involved in the crash. An arrest was not announced, and police are still investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call (925) 671-5065.

Vikings star Justin Jefferson has found social media heat frustrating on long road to recovery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:50 GMT

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Justin Jefferson has been frustrated about being sidelined by a hamstring injury while the Minnesota Vikings try to recover from a slow start and make the playoffs. Taking heat from fantasy football players on social media about his absence hasn’t helped him handle the time away.Jefferson posted a message on his since-deactivated X account this week in which he reminded his critics that his health is more important than their fantasy teams.“I’ve been getting it for five, six weeks now,” Jefferson told reporters Friday before practice. “I’m just tired of it. It’s frustrating and it’s draining to want to be out there on the field, wanting to play and then all of these other sources saying different things that are not true on how you’re feeling.”Jefferson has missed the past six games. He was designated for return two weeks ago and returned to practice but has yet to be cleared for game action. Jefferson said he’s been “getting to top speeds,” but his status for Mo...