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California sues Huntington Beach over failure to follow housing laws in warning to other cities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:10 GMT

In a warning signal to California cities failing to comply with recently beefed-up housing legislation, the state on Thursday announced it’s suing Huntington Beach for “thumbing their nose” at laws intended to help solve the state’s housing shortage.The lawsuit challenges the seaside Southern California city’s attempt to circumvent Senate Bill 9 — a newly enacted law that allows up to four units on lots in neighborhoods zoned for single-family homes.“Huntington Beach City Council has chosen to stifle affordable housing projects, infringe on the rights of property owners and knowingly violate state housing law,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said during a virtual news conference that included Gov. Gavin Newsom.The council on Feb. 21 banned the city from processing SB 9 development applications, as well as accessory dwelling units — small backyard or garage units also known as ADUs. The state is asking the court for a preliminary inju...

49ers gain whopping seven compensatory draft picks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:10 GMT

SANTA CLARA — A river of compensatory draft picks rushed into the 49ers’ hands Thursday, replenishing their coffer for next month’s player-selection festivities.A trio of picks at the end of the third round — Nos. 99, 101 and 102 — highlighted the NFL-high seven compensatory picks distributed to the 49ers, by way of the NFL’s calculations factoring in free agency moves and minority-hiring incentives.The other compensatory picks are in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, with two in that last round.In total, the NFC runner-up 49ers now hold 11 draft picks, including a pair in both the fifth and seventh rounds, which they had prior to the comp-pick parade.In other 49ers’ news, they’ve re-signed Colton McKivitz to a two-year deal. He was slated to become a restricted free agent next week, and he could become their starting right tackle if Mike McGlinchey leaves as expected in free agency next week.The 49ers still lack first- and second-r...

Hugs and kisses at San Jose Mineta Airport’s new selfie spot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:10 GMT

If you’ve ever been to an airport terminal — or just watched the beginning of “Love Actually” — you know a lot of affection takes place as people send loved ones on a trip or welcome them home. And that’s what makes San Jose Mineta International Airport the perfect home for a public art installation that’s all about hugs and kisses.Artist Laura Kimpton said she didn’t fully realize that until she and fellow artist Jeff Schomberg were overseeing the installation of “XO” outside the airport’s Terminal B.“When I put this up two months ago, I realized the airport was the one place that people kiss and hug the most,” Kimpton said at the piece’s dedication Thursday. “It was like ‘Whoa! This is so appropriate.’ ”San Jose Aviation Director John Aitken, left, artist Laura Kimpton, center, and San Jose Cultural Affairs Director Kerry Adams Hapner pose with “XO,” the art piec...

SF Giants vs. Brewers: Conforto’s return to the outfield, two-way player’s most impressive outing yet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:10 GMT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Michael Conforto can hit.That much, if it was ever in doubt, was proven yet again Thursday in the first inning of the Giants’ Cactus League exhibition against the Milwaukee Brewers. Conforto launched the first strike he saw over the right field wall for his third home run in as many spring games.What’s in question is Conforto’s ability in the outfield following shoulder surgery last April. On Thursday, that was supposed to begin to yield answers, as Conforto roamed right field — or any position — for the first time since October 2021, before he suffered an offseason training accident last January that robbed him of his 2022 season.However, in six innings in right field, not a single ball went Conforto’s way.“I probably won’t get another game like that all year,” Conforto said. “Pretty good seats to watch the game.”It was a milestone nonetheless just to be standing on the outfield grass, the final step of an ar...

John Travolta at Sunday night’s Oscars could mean one thing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:10 GMT

With the announcement that John Travolta joins Harrison Ford, Halle Berry, Cara Delevingne, Kate Hudson, Pedro Pascal and other stars to present at the 95th Academy Awards Sunday night, Oscars fans have to be wondering if the “Grease” star will delight the world with another “Adele Dazeem” moment.Travolta delivered one of the biggest goofs in modern Oscars history in 2014 when he came on stage to introduce one of the best original song nominees. The song was “Let It Go,” from the hit animated movie “Frozen.” Its star, Idina Menzel, was set to perform.But Travolta had some trouble saying her name in his introduction of the “gorgeously empowering” song “Let It Go.”  Apparently unable to read the teleprompter. Travolta announced that the performer was a “wickedly talented” person with the name “Adele Dazeem.” People watching from home broke out in laugher, while the audience at the show probably stiffed...

Several dead in shooting at Jehovah’s Witness hall in Germany

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:10 GMT

Associated PressBERLIN — Shots were fired inside a building used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in the northern German city of Hamburg on Thursday evening, and an unspecified number of people were killed or wounded, police said.The shooting took place in the Gross Borstel district, a few kilometers (miles) north of the downtown area of Germany’s second-biggest city.“We only know that several people died here; several people are wounded, they were taken to hospitals,” police spokesman Holger Vehren said.He said he had no information on the severity of the injuries suffered by the wounded.Local media footage showed a big police presence outside the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Kingdom Hall, a modern three-story building.Vehren said police were alerted to the shooting about 9:15 p.m. and were on the scene quickly. He said that after officers arrived, they heard a shot from an upper floor and found a person upstairs who may have been a shooter. He said police did not...

Bay Area storm updates: Evacuation warnings issued for parts of Santa Cruz County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:10 GMT

(KRON) -- Road closures are taking effect and several Tahoe area ski resorts will close Friday as the first in a series of atmospheric rivers is set to roll into the Bay Area Thursday. The storm is expected to bring widespread rain, wind and wet weather conditions with a flood watch set to go into effect for the entire Bay Area. Rainfall is expected to arrive by Thursday afternoon and intensify throughout the weekend.Officials advise residents to prepare for the next storm by securing any property and stocking up on sandbags to prevent flooding. Bay Area storm: Here’s what to do if your house floods Stick with KRON4 for the latest updates on the storm.Bay Area storm updates:3:40 p.m. -- San Jose issues evacuation orders for unsheltered residents near creeksThe City of San Jose issued evacuation orders Thursday for all unsheltered residents who live along the Guadalupe River, Coyote Creek, and Penitencia Creek. As rain began pouring, police officers and Office of Emergency Man...

One stabbed near Yerba Buena HS in San Jose

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:10 GMT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) -- One person was injured in a stabbing near Yerba Buena High School in San Jose on Thursday afternoon, the San Jose Police Department confirmed. The stabbing was reported on the 1800 block of Lucretia Avenue. An adult male was hospitalized with a non-life-threatening injury. SJPD is investigating whether the incident involves Yerba Buena students. No suspects have been identified. Yerba Buena High School is located at 1855 Lucretia Avenue, which is just east of Plant Shopping Center. This is a developing story. Stick with KRON4 for updates.

Body taken out of Lake Merritt BART Station: video

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:10 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) -- An unidentified man was found dead in the street-level plaza at Lake Merritt BART station Thursday morning, a BART spokesperson confirmed to KRON4. Drug paraphernalia was found near the body. VIDEO: Police protect paramedics in San Francisco UN Plaza Video from the scene showed uniformed BART Police officers wheeling a gurney out with the body covered in a body bag.BART authorities handed the body over to the coroner's office. There was no indication of foul play, according to BART.

San Jose issues evacuation orders for unsheltered residents near creeks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:10 GMT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) -- The City of San Jose issued evacuation orders Thursday for all unsheltered residents who live along the Guadalupe River, Coyote Creek, and Penitencia Creek. As rain began pouring on Thursday afternoon, police officers and Office of Emergency Management officials used long-range acoustic devices and loudspeakers along creeks and rivers to get the message out.Heavy rainfall from an atmospheric river poses flooding danger for low-lying areas near waterways. Live San Francisco Bay Area storm updates Santa Clara Valley Water District and City field inspection teams are monitoring all creeks and rivers in San Jose. Areas with the highest risk of water rising rapidly and flooding include:Ross Creek at Cherry AvenueGuadalupe River at West Alma AvenueUpper Penitencia Creek at Mabury and King RoadsCoyote Creek downstream (north) of Berryessa RoadBerryessa Creek at Cropley AvenueThe potential areas of swiftly rising water are not limited to only these location...