California

California

Palo Alto City Council on Wednesday (Oct. 22) will discuss the impacts of a new state law that could allow seven-story residential buildings within a quarter mile of the city's three Caltrain stations. The buildings could be even taller - nine stories - if they're right next to the train station, under Senate Bill 79 by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- The challenges faced by children aging out of the foster care system are described as traumatic and can lead to a life of homelessness. But a new resource center and affordable housing project aim to ensure that doesn't happen to anyone in the South Bay. The ribbon was officially cut Monday for the Parkmoore Community Affordable Apartments and the Hub - two new buildings that aim to build a better Santa Clara County.

Former San Mateo County Community College District chancellor Ron Galatolo is scheduled to go on trial today (Oct. 20) on charges of taking bribes from contractors, a prosecutor said. Galatolo, 61, of Menlo Park, is facing criminal charges for allegedly taking bribes from contractors, tax evasion and using district money for his personal legal fees. The case has taken many twists and turns since his arrest in 2019. One of the witnesses against him will be his ex-wife.

Martin's former agent released a statement on behalf of the family, saying in part, "Privately, Doug battled mental health challenges... Doug's parents were actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support. Feeling overwhelmed and disoriented, Doug fled his home during the night and entered a neighbor's residence two doors down." Police say Martin was involved in a break-in at a home in the Oakland Hills.

California residents who are eligible can register and vote through Election Day. But if you want a ballot mailed to your door beforehand, you'll have to register online before the deadline at midnight on Monday. (You can also check your voter registration status at the link above.) After the deadline on Monday night?

OAKLAND - The ordeal for a Bay Area woman started when she started talking to a man on Facebook Dating and agreed to meet him at the Coliseum BART station, according to court records. It ended days later, at the Lake Merritt BART station, when police stopped the woman and her male companion and told her to remove her sunglasses and ski mask. When she did, they saw her horrifying injuries - broken bones in her face, both eyes bruised and swollen shut, and a missing tooth, according to police and the woman's own testimony.

The state's Transit Transformation Task Force recently met for the final time. The two-year TTTF process was charged with producing recommendations - for the legislature and governor - on developing policy reforms aimed at growing transit ridership, improving the rider experience, and addressing long-term operational and funding challenges. The Task Force was mandated by legislation passed by the Legislature and signed into law in 2023.

The prosecution's case against Estrada-Avalos was marred by inconsistent or at one point, admittedly dishonest testimony from the lone eyewitness, a woman who admitted she was driving when Estrada-Avalos and a group of people, including the victim, got into a shouting match that precipitated the shooting. The woman lied on the stand at Estrada-Avalos' preliminary hearing, claimed to have memory problems at key moments of the timeline,

She said she joined the investigation only after others had already entered the property. I'm grateful that (the chickens) were able to get the care that they need, Rosenberg said when asked by her attorney, Chris Carraway, how she felt about the incident. Carraway questioned her through much of Friday afternoon before Deputy District Attorney Matthew Hobson began cross-examination. After about 30 minutes, Judge Kenneth Gnoss ended proceedings and ordered the trial to resume Monday afternoon.

Michael Dietrick, the former Sonoma County sheriff's deputy who shot and killed burglary suspect David Pelaez-Chavez in 2022, will receive $5,226 per month as part of lifetime retirement benefits approved earlier this year through the county's pension system, The Press Democrat has learned. The fatal shooting sparked recurring protests and calls by Pelaez-Chavez's family members and activists for greater accountability, and, years later, is now at the center of a heated debate over the authority and reach of Sonoma County's civilian law enforcement oversight office.

Elva Wilson taught Mexican Folklorico Dance at local elementary schools, and started a Spanish-language afterschool program for students. She also served as president of the district's English Learners' Advisory Committee. Since retiring, she has cofounded two local neighborhood associations. Lourdes Calande recently retired from district after 25 years. She was born in Mexico City and moved to San José in 1992.

Tom Steyer After he gives $12 million to Yes on Prop 50 and a video shows frontrunner Katie Porter cursing her staff, buzz grows that the Bay Area billionaire and former Dem presidential candidate may run for governor.

The CHP said that the shrapnel was from an explosive ordnance that was fired over Interstate 5 and "detonated overhead prematurely, striking and damaging a CHP patrol vehicle." The shrapnel fell on the vehicle in an area where CHP officers were gathered to close traffic along Interstate 5 in northern San Diego County, which cuts through Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

As the days shorten, a quick safety plug: If you're walking at dawn or after dusk, carry a small flashlight and wear something reflective. It makes a real difference in how early drivers see you. A lot of change is headed our way, so I want to talk plainly about traffic-what's coming, why some streets feel fast and what we can do together.

The Cupertino Symphonic Band is hosting its annual fall concert on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 3 p.m. at the Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Road. The family-friendly concert features patriotic music honoring veterans, as well as contemporary and classical selections, movie and theater musical favorites. Admission is free. Donations of canned goods benefit West Valley Community Services. Free snacks and coffee will be provided. The band is always looking for new wind instrument and percussion players. For more information, visit www.cupertinosymphonicband.org.

Creepy Crawly Campbell Two- and four-legged little ghouls, goblins and superheroes are invited to descend on downtown Campbell for some Creepy Crawly Halloween trick-or-treating on Sunday, Oct. 26, 4-6 p.m. While candy and other freebies are a big part of this well-attended annual event, organizers say the focus is on costumes. Organizers are also looking for a few extra hands, claws, paws, tentacles or whatever appendages volunteers have for the occasion to help with the event. To volunteer, visit https://www.downtowncampbell.com/creepycrawly

I think Trump is hurting Californians. I am not going to sell out our values as a state for some short-term political gain to try and appease people who are still standing and still supporting what this president is doing as he is trampling on our Constitution.

By Bay City Two teenagers were shot in Stockton's Civic District early Saturday morning. The 17 and 18-year-old boys were in the 1300 block of North Lincoln Street at about 2 a.m. when they were both shot, according to the Stockton Police Department. They were taken to a hospital to be treated for their injuries, and both were expected to survive.

This is a question of who we are, Newsom wrote in 2017. Housing is a fundamental human need let's not forget the human face behind the dire statistics. Housing instability can cause genuine mental and physical adversity, he added, and lead to insufferable decisions: no one should have to choose between paying rent or buying groceries. Knowing that too many Californians face this kind of anxiety breaks my heart.

Senate Bill 414, authored by Sen. Angelique Ashby, D-Sacramento, and backed by charter school advocates, would have implemented dozens of changes to state law, including creating an education inspector general, adding new requirements for school audits and more strictly regulating school vendors. Earlier this year, charter school advocates had fought vigorously against Assembly Bill 84, another charter school accountability bill that was more extensive in scope and would have automatically reduced some charter schools' per-pupil funding based on how much in-person instruction they offer.

In his veto message, Newsom said the fee increase made little sense since a car buyer would be paying a dealership for only minutes of data entry. At a time when Californians are already struggling with the high cost of living, Newsom wrote, this bill would raise the document processing fee to three times the current $85 cap far beyond what an inflation adjustment would justify.

Season 1 of the Bill Belichick era has been a train wreck. The Tar Heels have beaten just one FBS opponent - a 1-5 Charlotte team that is ranked 129th nationally in ESPN's SP+ ratings - and have given up 120 points in their three defeat. ... Carolina has been outscored 55-6 in the first half of its past two games, vs. UCF and Clemson.

The suspect - Albert Decoto, 46, of Oakland, who was arrested Oct. 9 - has been charged with four counts of first degree residential burglary, three counts of first degree residential robbery, one count of carjacking, two counts of vehicle theft, one count of assault on a peace officer and one count of attempted carjacking, all felonies. He has also been charged with misdemeanor counts of resisting a peace officer and possession of a controlled substance.

"Plastic bag companies have continued to distribute plastic bags that are not recyclable in California and mislead Californians about their bags recyclability," Bonta said. "In fact, even when consumers have properly disposed of these plastic bags, they've overwhelmingly not been recycled in California and couldn't have been recycled. The thing is, producers knew, or should have known this fact years ago."

After years of stalled promises and mounting pressure from Gov. Gavin Newsom, Half Moon Bay is moving forward with an affordable housing project for aging farmworkers who have spent decades working the coast's fields. On Thursday, city officials authorized staff to draft a 99-year, $1-per-year land lease for a five-story development at 555 Kelly Ave. that will provide 40 units for retired and working farmworkers aged 55 and older.