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Oakland Airport could get a new name, but the city isn’t getting the (propeller) shaft

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:45 GMT

OAKLAND — Considering the city’s recent fortunes, a survey seeking feedback on a potential renaming of Oakland International Airport might have deepened worries that the city would soon no longer be associated with one of its largest institutions.But officials for the Port of Oakland, which manages the 100-year-old airport, confirmed in an email to this news organization that any rebranding will not involve removing the city’s name.But they’re also not pulling any punches about why they want to make a change — the name “Oakland” alone, it seems, is not selling enough plane tickets.“Market research both nationally and internationally has shown that majorities of international and U.S. passengers are unfamiliar with Oakland’s or our airport’s proximity to the San Francisco Bay,” port official Matt Davis said in a statement.“This lack of awareness depressed inbound passenger demand, even from passengers flying to destina...

Storms hit DC area, causing outages and flight cancellations

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:45 GMT

By Ashraf Khalil and Jeffrey Collins | Associated PressWASHINGTON — Thousands of U.S. flights were canceled or delayed Monday as forecasts warned of destructively strong storms, including tornadoes, hail and lightning, and residents were warned to stay indoors and prepare for the worst.Rain began falling in the Washington area shortly after 5 p.m., and the skies gradually turned an ominous dark gray, a precursor to the severe weather and mass power outages that were predicted.The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for the greater D.C. area, lasting until 9 p.m., as well as a flood warning extending through Tuesday morning. A special Weather Service statement warned, “There is a significant threat for damaging and locally destructive hurricane-force winds, along with the potential for large hail and tornadoes, even strong tornadoes.”The storms’ spread was massive, with tornado watches and warnings posted across 10 states from Tennessee to New York. The ...

Sale closed in Palo Alto: $3.8 million for a six-bedroom home

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:45 GMT

450 El Dorado Avenue – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 400 block of El Dorado Avenue in Palo Alto has a new owner. The 2,655-square-foot property, built in 1960, was sold on July 18, 2023, for $3,830,000, or $1,443 per square foot. This two-story home provides a generous living space with its six bedrooms and four bathrooms. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. Additionally, the home comes with a one-car garage, allowing for convenient vehicle storage. The lot size of the property measures an impressive 9,545 square feet and features a pool for added enjoyment.These nearby houses have also recently been purchased:On Waverley Street, Palo Alto, in March 2023, a 1,371-square-foot home was sold for $6,000,000, a price per square foot of $4,376. The home has 3 bedrooms 1 bathroom.In March 2023, a 1,456-square-foot home on Cowper Street in Palo Alto sold for $4,995,000, a price per square foot of $3,431. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A...

Cal players calm about Pac-12 crumbling, but Wilcox upset; ACC discussing Bears and Stanford, per reports

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:45 GMT

BERKELEY — As the news of the Pac-12’s impending disintegration settled in over the weekend, some of those likely to be most affected said Monday they’re not sweating it.Interviews with four Cal football players after practice suggested their focus remains on one thing — the upcoming 2023 season.Star sophomore running back Jaydn Ott had a muted reaction to last Friday’s Pac-12 defections that leave the conference with just four teams — Cal, Stanford, Oregon State and Washington State — currently committed to the conference for the 2024 season.“Honestly, I feel like that doesn’t pertain to me right now. We still have a whole season to play,” said Ott, who rushed for nearly 900 yards last season and is perhaps Cal’s best player. “I have an upcoming season to worry about. I’m not thinking about what’s going to happen after. I’ll think about it once it comes.”Friday’s fracture started when Oregon and Washington agreed to join USC and UCLA in the Big Ten next season, then Arizona, ...

Private equity firm KKR buys Simon & Schuster for $1.6B

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:45 GMT

By Ramishah Maruf | CNNParamount has agreed to sell Simon & Schuster to private equity firm KKR for $1.6 billion in cash, after more than three years of trying to offload the book publishing powerhouse.Bob Bakish, president and CEO of Paramount Global, said Simon & Schuster is a “fantastic asset” in the company’s earnings call Monday, after the market’s close, but that it didn’t fit with its core mission of video entertainment.“Importantly, this transaction checks all the boxes from a financial perspective,” Bakish said, adding the proceeds will go toward paying down Paramount’s debt.The book publisher will go private once the deal closes and will be led by Jonathan Karp, its current CEO and president, and Dennis Eulau, COO and CFO.Paramount posted Simon & Schuster for sale in 2020.In November 2022, Paramount ended its agreement to sell Simon & Schuster to Penguin Random House in what would have been a $2.2 billion deal.Both are among the “Big Five” of major US book ...

Redwood City Hazmat incident exposes 21 people

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:45 GMT

(KRON) -- Twenty-one people have been exposed in a hazardous materials incident on the 1100 block of Island Drive in Redwood Shores, according to the Redwood City Fire Department. The incident involved an accidental chemical release in a clean room, Redwood City FD said.The leaked gas was later identified by Redwood City FD as Freon. Crews at the scene determined that a faulty AC unit was the source of the leak.The materials are not related to biohazard materials. No evacuations or shelter-in-place orders have been given for the broader community. Of the 21 people exposed, 16 have shown no symptoms. The remaining five are receiving treatment. Woman in critical condition, man in jail after Antioch weekend sideshow Emergency services are on-site and the building has been evacuated, according to firefighters. Fire authorities are inspecting the building methodically, Redwood City FD said. Due to the nature of the incident, it will take time for firefighters to finish the inspection.T...

Another Bay Area postal carrier targeted in armed robbery

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:45 GMT

(KRON) -- A United States Postal Service carrier was robbed of their postal keys in Oakland over the weekend, the U.S Postal Service confirmed to KRON4. The mail carrier was in the 3000 block of Linden Street in Oakland at around 6:50 p.m. when the robbery occurred on Saturday, Aug. 5.The robber brandished a weapon and demanded the postal keys, Postal Inspector Matthew Norfleet said. The carrier surrendered the keys and was not injured. 21 people exposed in Redwood Shores HazMat incident There is a $50,000 standing reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the robber, or anyone else who robbed or threatened a postal carrier.No other information has been released at this time.The incident is the latest in a series of Bay Area robberies targeting postal workers. In most of the incidents, thieves targeted postal keys, which open up mailboxes."The postal keys have one legitimate purpose, which is to deliver the mail," said Norfleet. "The only other thing you can d...

Dungeon suspect targeted teen girls in Alameda County, appeared on 'Judge Judy'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:45 GMT

(KRON) -- A man who allegedly held a woman captive inside a homemade cinder block dungeon has a sexually violent criminal history in Alameda County, court documents show.Negasi Zuberi, 29, targeted women who he believed wouldn't be missed, according to the FBI. The FBI said its investigators believe Zuberi used several different methods to gain control of his victims, including by drugging their drinks, impersonating a police officer, and making threats. Zuberi went by many aliases, including "Justin," "Justin Hyche," "Justin Kouassi," and "Sakima," FBI investigators said.According to Alameda County court documents, Zuberi allegedly targeted and raped underage teen girls in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2016 and 2020. At the time, he went by the name "Justin Hyche."Negasi Zuberi's mugshot was released by the Washoe County Detention Facility in Reno, Nev., on July 16, 2023. (Washoe County Detention Facility via AP)Underage girls victimized in OaklandOn May 26, 2020, Zuberi beat, stra...

Man convicted of making criminal threats after threatening to blow up SF synagogue

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:45 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A jury has convicted a man of making criminal threats after he threatened to blow up a San Francisco synagogue in April 2022, the San Francisco District Attorney's office announced. Anatoly Smolkin, 39, walked into Temple Emanu-El, located at 2 Lake St. in the Inner Richmond, and threatened to kill everyone inside and blow the place up, according to the DA's office. The incident happened just after noon on April 7, 2022. 21 people exposed in Redwood Shores HazMat incident Security notified SFPD, and Smolkin was arrested shortly after the incident. “Mr. Smolkin’s conduct directly endangered not just the victim, but also, the congregants of Temple Emanu-El at large, said Assistant District Attorney Samantha Adhikari. “I am grateful to the jury for their swift, yet thoughtful deliberation despite challenging legal issues, and returning a verdict that contributes to ensuring public safety.”Smolkin has been in custody since the day of the incident. He faces up ...

Yankees put LHP Carlos Rodón on the 15-day injured list and activate reliever Jonathan Loáisiga

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:45 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Carlos Rodón was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday by the New York Yankees, who activated reliever Jonathan Loáisiga before their series opener against the Chicago White Sox.Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Rodón has a “minor, low-grade” left hamstring strain. The left-hander exited his start against the Houston Astros in the third inning Sunday with tightness in the hamstring.Rodón’s injury is the latest blow to a shaky Yankees rotation as New York tries to stay close in the American League playoff chase. Boone said the two-time All-Star should be able to maintain a throwing program while he recovers, beginning by tossing on flat ground. He hopes Rodón can return when eligible after 15 days.“Carlos wants to pitch through it and it doesn’t sound like he’s going to have to be shut down at all,” Boone said.Boone wasn’t certain who would take Rodón’s rotation spot, but mentioned right-hander Randy Vásquez, currently with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.Rodón ...