California

A new year and a rough start for San Jose traffic fatalities
San Jose officials and advocates are hoping for a reduction in traffic fatalities for 2022, but a rash of recent deaths serves as a reminder that the city has a long way to go to improve roadway safety. The San Jose Police Department recorded the city’s fourth traffic collision fatality of the year on Jan.... The post A new year and a rough start for San Jose traffic fatalities appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Santa Clara County residents swamp emergency rooms for COVID tests
Santa Clara County residents are flooding emergency rooms throughout the region in search of COVID-19 tests amid the county’s biggest infection surge. Emergency rooms in hospitals across the South Bay are overwhelmed by the onslaught of seekers, tying up resources for those with imminent needs, county officials and hospital representatives said. “We have seen a dramatic increase... The post Santa Clara County residents swamp emergency rooms for COVID tests appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Gomez: California named worst ‘judicial hellhole’
In my nearly two decades as a restaurant franchise owner, I was always grateful for my community and the passion they had for supporting local family-owned businesses. Locally-owned businesses, whether franchises or independent, are the backbone of our local and statewide economies. Small business creates a majority of jobs in any local community and that... The post Gomez: California named worst ‘judicial hellhole’ appeared first on San José Spotlight.

Pandemic prompts SF State’s first winter commencement ceremony
As Aditi Grossman, a former economics graduate student, sat in her living room last May, she couldn’t help but think how her years of hard work had culminated to a virtual ceremony, without the promise of a last goodbye from friends and the opportunity to have her family watch her receive her class hood. “The...
High school seniors look toward graduation, college life
Every year, hundreds of thousands of prospective students apply to 23 schools within the California State University system. For some, the university having their major is the only requirement. For others, having a good athletics department is a necessity when looking at schools to apply to. Solana Martin, a senior at Valley Academy of Arts...

Searching the Sky: Constellation of the month- Cetus and its Variable Star
Cetus is another one of the “Watery” constellations, along with Capricornus, Aquarius, and Pisces. All of which are dim and hard to recognize, let alone fine in their part of the sky. Cetus means “whale” in Latin. This is the same creature that attacked Andromeda. It could have been a whale, or a mystical sea-monster, The post Searching the Sky: Constellation of the month- Cetus and its Variable Star appeared first on BenitoLink.

Officials Demand Reform on Uber, Lyft Assault Reports
Two key elected officials have criticized the California Public Utilities Commission’s inconsistent collection of information on passenger complaints about assaults and threats on Uber and Lyft rides and called for reforms. A leading researcher on sexual assault added that the commission’s methodology was out of line with accepted practice and that it suggested a “lack of concern” about monitoring the incidents. The post Officials Demand Reform on Uber, Lyft Assault Reports appeared […]
Slow, Incomplete Repairs at SF Housing Project Frustrate Residents
Six months after San Francisco agreed to lend the developer of a run-down Western Addition public housing complex $2.7 million for emergency repairs, the work is behind schedule and many residents at Plaza East Apartments say their units remain damaged by mold, leaks and pest infestations — even after repairs were done. The post Slow, Incomplete Repairs at SF Housing Project Frustrate Residents appeared first on San Francisco Public Press.
How SF Renters Can Face Down the Eviction Wave and Stay Housed
Thursday marked the end of the statewide moratorium on evictions for unpaid rents due to COVID-19-related hardships, and by Friday landlords could begin the process to remove tenants. But the head of tenant legal defense in San Francisco wants renters to hear one message loud and clear: “You’re still protected.” The post How SF Renters Can Face Down the Eviction Wave and Stay Housed appeared first on San Francisco Public Press.
Facing 60% Unemployment, Restaurant Workers Struggled During Pandemic
Unemployment in the restaurant industry shot up to more than 40% nationwide in April 2020, and to 60% in the Bay Area according to the State of Restaurant Workers report from the advocacy group Restaurant Opportunities Centers United. The post Facing 60% Unemployment, Restaurant Workers Struggled During Pandemic appeared first on San Francisco Public Press.
Extended State Eviction Moratorium Preempts Local Laws, Moves Eviction Cliff to Oct. 1
California’s eviction moratorium protecting tenants affected by the coronavirus pandemic was set to expire June 30. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation extending it, but the state law supersedes local pandemic eviction protections and prevents city legislators from adding new ones through March of next year. Ora Prochovnick, director of litigation and policy at the Eviction Defense Collaborative, a nonprofit organization that helps low-income tenants respond to eviction lawsuits, explained […]

Berkeley Marina boat dwellers evacuated due to tsunami advisory
The order came after an underwater volcano erupted near Tonga.
The Berkeley Wire: 01.14.21
More news about Berkeley from around the web.
House fire on Bateman Street leaves Elmwood man displaced
The fire, in the 3000 block of Bateman (near Prince Street), appears to have started in the kitchen. There were no reported injuries.
New street paving policy could create ‘Equity Zone’ with priority for repairs
The plan would shift much of the city's spending from major corridors to neighborhood streets, with a focus on West and South Berkeley.
96-unit senior home with ground-floor retail set to open in West Berkeley
The building at San Pablo Avenue and Addison Street will have room for a corner restaurant.