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Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:23:42 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Police handling ofstandoff needs probeRe: “Arrest caps troubling dayslong standoff” (Page B1, Dec. 10)The Pleasant Hill Police Department and Central County SWAT’s abysmal handling of this standoff in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood demands an immediate independent investigation.To place the residents of this historically marginalized neighborhood in grave danger over three days is unconscionable.Mary Rae FoutsPleasant HillPerhaps charges willclean up CPS messRe: “Blame game erupts in baby’s fentanyl poisoning death” (Page A1, Nov. 15).Thanks to the East Bay Times for the excellent coverage of tragic baby deaths due to Fentanyl and the follow-up with Santa Clara County stating they tried to prevent the babies from going back to homes that had drugs. I would also like to point out all the other children left in horrible homes by child protective services (Sophia Mason in ...

Zelenskyy runs into GOP resistance to more Ukraine aid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:23:42 GMT

By Lisa Mascaro, Aamer Madhani and Stephen Groves | Associated PressWASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told America his country was fighting for “our freedom and yours” as he made an impassioned plea Tuesday for Congress to approve more assistance to fight Russia’s invasion.But prospects for additional U.S. aid to Ukraine appeared seriously delayed, if not in grave doubt, despite his whirlwind diplomacy in Washington.After hours of talks on Capitol Hill, Zelenskyy spent more hours at the White House meeting with President Joe Biden and his aides about a way forward. The U.S. has already provided Ukraine $111 billion since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his grinding invasion more than 21 months ago, but Republicans are insisting on linking any more money to strict U.S.-Mexico border security changes that Democrats decry.The White House is warning that if new money isn’t provided by year’s end it will have swift consequences f...

Transgender sex worker fatally shot client who demanded his money back at Crissy Field: court docs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:23:42 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The suspect in a deadly shooting at Crissy Field last month was working as a sex worker and shot her client after he learned she was transgender and demanded his money back, court documents revealed. Leniyah Butler, also known as Christopher Butler, was working as a sex worker on Nov. 12 when the victim approached her, according to documents released by the United States District Court Northern District of California SF Division.Butler asked the victim if he wanted a date, to which he replied yes, adding that he was looking for "everything," documents state. After discussing price, the victim said he needed to stop at an ATM and the defendant agreed to get in his car.After stopping at an ATM, the victim insisted on driving to Crissy Field, despite the defendant wanting to pull over somewhere close. The defendant stated it felt like he was taking her "out of her element" since it was 20 minutes from where he picked her up. SF tech exec forced assistant to si...

Three SF restaurants added to Michelin Guide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:23:42 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Three San Francisco restaurants have been added to the latest Michelin Guide, Michelin announced Tuesday. The Michelin Guide is a book that reviews restaurants and other establishments. Seven California restaurants were added to the guide this month, including Movida, Kiln, and Dalida in San Francisco. Ex-First Republic Bank employee sentenced for sabotaging former employer’s computer network DalidaDalida is a Mediterranean restaurant tucked into the Presidio. It is co-owned by a pair of chefs who are married to one another: Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz. Michelin describes its menu as mostly Eastern Mediterranean, inspired by Istanbul. Notable dishes include short rib kebabs. "Whatever else you opt for, consider it all but mandatory to start your meal with 'breaking bread,' an assortment of spreads, olives, and pickles, served with superlatively pillowy, toasty pita that is rolled and hearth-baked to order—you’re unlikely to find better in the Bay Area," Miche...

Chargers QB Justin Herbert will miss rest of season after surgery on his broken index finger

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:23:42 GMT

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Justin Herbert’s fourth year as an NFL starting quarterback is over with four games remaining in the season.The Los Angeles Chargers placed Herbert on injured reserve Tuesday after he had surgery to repair the broken index finger on his right hand.With Herbert sidelined, Easton Stick will get his first NFL start on Thursday night at Las Vegas. Los Angeles is 5-8 and has dropped four of its past five.“Obviously, this isn’t how I envisioned it,” Stick said. “When they selected me five years ago, this is what you want as a kid — an opportunity to go play. I’m excited for that.”Stick said he has talked to Herbert the past couple days and that they will remain in communication.Herbert visited two hand specialists on Monday after he suffered the injury during the second quarter of Los Angeles’ 24-7 loss to visiting Denver on Sunday.Coach Brandon Staley said Herbert’s surgery went well and that “he’s on the road to recovery.”Herbert is the sevent...

Andrew Chafin’s $4.75 million, 1-year contract with Detroit Tigers is finalized

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:23:42 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Left-hander Andrew Chafin’s $4.75 million, one-year contract was finalized by the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.Chafin gets a $4.25 million next year, and the deal includes a $6.5 million team option for 2025 with a $500,000 buyout.He can earn $1.25 million in performance bonuses each season for games pitched: $125,000 for 50, $250,000 each for 55 and 60, $300,000 for 65 and $325,000 for 70.Chafin was 2-3 with a 2.83 ERA for the Tigers in 2022, striking out 67 and walking 19 in 57 1/3 innings. He allowed five of 36 inherited runners to score.Chafin signed a one-year contract with Arizona that guaranteed $6.25 million and went 3-4 with eight saves for the Diamondbacks and Milwaukee, which acquired him on Aug. 1. He struck out 63 and walked 28 in 51 1/3 innings.He earned $500,000 in performance bonuses in addition to his $5.5 million salary, and the Brewers declined a $7.25 million, triggering a $750,000 buyout.Chafin was 2-4 with a 1.83 ERA in 2021 for the Chicago Cu...

Zelenskyy pleads for Ukraine aid at Capitol and White House, says to U.S.: Our fight is yours

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:23:42 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told America his country was fighting for “our freedom and yours” as he made an impassioned plea Tuesday for Congress to approve more assistance to fight Russia’s invasion.But prospects for additional U.S. aid to Ukraine appeared seriously delayed, if not in grave doubt, despite his whirlwind diplomacy in WashingtonAfter hours of talks on Capitol Hill, Zelenskyy spent more hours at the White House meeting with President Joe Biden and his aides about a way forward. The U.S. has already provided Ukraine $111 billion since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his grinding invasion more than 21 months ago, but Republicans are insisting on linking any more money to strict U.S.-Mexico border security changes that Democrats decry. The White House is warning that if new money isn’t provided by year’s end it will have swift consequences for Ukraine’s capacity to hold its territory, let alone take back land captu...

How Prince William County’s Seals on Wheels program boosts access to court services

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:23:42 GMT

A Prince William County, Virginia, program that aims to make court services more accessible is returning to the region early next year.Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline Smith first launched the initiative, called Seals on Wheels, last year. She came up with the concept while campaigning for her first term in office. A Dumfries, Virginia, resident told her that in order to go to court and get a marriage license, he had to take the day off from work because he didn’t have a car.“That’s not acceptable, for a citizen to have to give up an entire day’s wages, just to go exercise their constitutional rights,” Smith said.So, Smith launched Seals on Wheels, which uses a sprinter van with several service windows to make court services more accessible in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park. Residents walk up to one of the windows, staffed by county volunteers, and explain what they need help with.Smith described the initiative as a first-of-its-kind mo...

Florida school board recommends ouster of Moms for Liberty co-founder over Republican sex scandal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:23:42 GMT

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida school board voted on Tuesday to recommend the resignation of one of its members because she is embroiled in the fallout of a sexual assault investigation into her husband, the Republican Party state chairman.The Sarasota County School Board cannot directly remove Bridget Ziegler from the panel but voted 4-1 Tuesday for a resolution requesting that she step down. The resolution was authored by board Chair Karen Rose, who said in an email that she is “shocked and deeply saddened” by the rape allegations involving Ziegler’s husband, Christian Ziegler, and the couple’s admissions about having a three-way sexual encounter previously with the accuser.“I personally care about Bridget and her family and deeply regret the necessity for this course of action, but given the intense media scrutiny locally and nationally, her continued presence on the Board would cause irreparably harmful distractions to our critical mission,” Rose wrote.Bridget Ziegl...

Peso Pluma cierra su año histórico con una actuación que agrada al público en ‘TikTok in the Mix’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:23:42 GMT

MESA, Arizona – En el primer evento musical global de TikTok, artistas como Cardi B, Niall Horan y Charlie Puth fueron un gran atractivo para muchos asistentes. Pero fue el cantante mexicano Peso Pluma, una incorporación tardía al cartel, quien pareció entusiasmar más a la multitud en Sloan Park.Muchos asistentes al programa “TikTok in the Mix” del domingo lucían camisetas con la cara del joven de 24 años mientras esperaban su turno en el escenario. Los fanáticos que hablaron con NBC News dijeron que obtuvieron boletos para el evento solo para ver Peso Pluma. Miles de personas gritaron y bailaron mientras lo veían interpretar algunos de sus principales éxitos, incluidos “Ella Baila Sola”, “La People” y “Lady Gaga”.La actuación marcó la culminación de un gran año para Peso Pluma, cuyo verdadero nombre es Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija. Ha ayudado a introducir la música regional mexicana en la corriente principal y recientemente fue nombrado “Novato del Año” de Billboard: consiguió 22 ca...