High school girls basketball rankings Jan. 2, 2024: Bay Area News Group Top 20

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:27:55 GMT

High school girls basketball rankings Jan. 2, 2024: Bay Area News Group Top 20 There is no doubt at the top of the Bay Area News Group girls basketball rankings. Archbishop Mitty tightened its vice-grip on the Bay Area (and country’s) No. 1 spot when it defeated top-ranked Long Island Lutheran at the Nike Tournament of Champions, and then beat three other powerhouses in Portland over the holiday break. San Ramon Valley remains locked at No. 2, and Carondelet, Bishop O’Dowd, Acalanes and Piedmont battle in the next tier of excellent East Bay teams. Mitty’s West Catholic Athletic League rivals St. Ignatius and Sacred Heart Cathedral are joined by surprising upstart Archbishop Riordan. But near the bottom of the list, two of the Bay Area’s premier programs, Oakland Tech and Saleisan, are still ranked despite having losing records. Why is this?Both have challenged themselves against top-notch competition, which could pay off as they move into their league schedules. With that said, on to the rankings. Bay Area News Group Top 20(Mercury News & East Bay Times)(R...

Concord: Man charged with murder in December fentanyl overdose

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:27:55 GMT

Concord: Man charged with murder in December fentanyl overdose CONCORD — A Concord man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the accidental overdose death of a man who ingested counterfeit painkiller pills that contained the deadly drug fentanyl, authorities say.Fernando Gallaga, 27, was charged in December with murder in the death of Jesus Soto-Garcia, 26, by giving Soto-Garcia fentanyl pills that appeared to be an opiate painkiller, according to court records. Gallaga has not yet entered a plea, and is next due in court on Jan. 10.Authorities say that Soto-Garcia overdosed and died at Gallaga’s Concord home on Dec. 12.Gallaga remains in jail in lieu of $1 million bail, records show.Murder charges in accidental fentanyl overdose cases have become increasingly prevalent, as overdoses continue to dwarf the homicide rate statewide. Last August, a jury in Riverside County returned the first guilty verdict in California history involving a fentanyl overdose murder case.

Sharks’ Couture explains what needs to happen before he returns, as timeline comes into focus

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:27:55 GMT

Sharks’ Couture explains what needs to happen before he returns, as timeline comes into focus SAN JOSE – Injured San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture said he wants to be a full participant in at least two practices before he thinks about rejoining the team’s lineup, meaning he could potentially play again as soon as this weekend if he continues to skate without any setbacks.The Sharks are at home this week and scheduled to practice on both Wednesday and Friday. San Jose closes a three-game homestand on Saturday afternoon against the Toronto Maple Leafs.“I want to practice twice,” Couture told Bay Area News Group on Tuesday.Couture, out with a lower-body injury since before the start of training camp, said he’s still taking things day-by-day, noting it was unclear whether he’ll be able to be a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. He took part in another one of the Sharks’ morning skates Tuesday as they prepared to play the Detroit Red Wings at SAP Center.Couture has had at least two setbacks in his recovery from the undisclosed injury, with the most recent one costing h...

Windy storm forecast to hit Bay Area Tuesday

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:27:55 GMT

Windy storm forecast to hit Bay Area Tuesday SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Gusty and strong southerly winds are forecast to blow through the San Francisco Bay Area Tuesday. The brunt of the storm will hit during the afternoon and evening rush-hour commute. KRON4 weather anchor Gayle Ong said, "Rain will be widespread across the Bay Area. Expect gusty southerly winds upwards of 20-30 mph to develop during the heaviest downpours." The National Weather Service Bay Area said the storm will pound coastal areas the hardest. Emergency officials are warning motorists to avoid storm-triggered hazards, including broken power lines and toppled trees. The Southern Marin Fire District wrote, "Strong winds could knock down tree branches and hit power lines. If you see a downed tree/branches - it could be hiding a power line. Assume all wires are energized and extremely dangerous. Don't touch or try to move it. Report downed lines to 911 and PG&E." Photos: Big wave surfers catch 60-foot monsters at Mavericks Stormy weather will also whip up ...

Slow start for California's winter snowpacks

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:27:55 GMT

Slow start for California's winter snowpacks (KRON) -- California is seeing a slow start for its critical mountain snowpacks. The state Department of Water Resources conducted its first snow survey of the season in the Sierra Nevada mountains on Tuesday. A manual survey conducted at Phillips Station in the Sierra recorded 7.5 inches of snow depth, and a snow water equivalent of 3 inches. Snow totals were only 30 percent of average at the station, water officials said. California's statewide snowpack is currently 25 percent of average, according to DWR.DWR officials wrote, "After one of the largest snowpacks on record last season, the start of this water year has been dry despite some recent storms in the last weeks of December that provided a small boost in the snowpack. While state reservoirs are still above average for this time of year and strong El Niño conditions are present in the Pacific Ocean, the outlook for the rest of the winter remains highly uncertain."Sean de Guzman, Manager of the California Department of Water ...

How major US stock indexes fared Tuesday, 1/2/2024

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:27:55 GMT

How major US stock indexes fared Tuesday, 1/2/2024 Wall Street started 2024 with a slump, giving back some of its powerful gains from the year before. The S&P 500 fell 0.6% Tuesday. The Dow edged 0.1% higher, and the Nasdaq composite lost 1.6%. Some of the market’s sharper drops came from stocks that were last year’s biggest winners. Apple had its worst day in nearly five months. Much of Wall Street had been preparing for at least a pause in the rally that had carried the S&P 500 to nine straight winning weeks and the brink of its record. Treasury yields rose to regress a bit following their huge run.On Tuesday:The S&P 500 fell 27 points, or 0.6%, to 4,742.83The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 25.50 points, or 0.1%, to 37,715.04.The Nasdaq composite fell 245.41 points, or 1.6%, to 14,765.94.The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 14.28 points, or 0.7%, to 2,012.80.Source

Unarmed guard held at gunpoint in Colorado Supreme Court building breach

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:27:55 GMT

Unarmed guard held at gunpoint in Colorado Supreme Court building breach DENVER (KDVR) — A man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into the Colorado Supreme Court building early Tuesday morning after a nearby crash.According to the Denver Police Department, officers responded to a call at 1:15 a.m. about a two-car crash in the area of 13th Avenue and Lincoln Street. One of the drivers allegedly pointed a handgun at the other.Security guard held at gunpointA short time later, the Colorado State Patrol said the same suspect shot out a window on the first floor of the east side of the Colorado Supreme Court building known as the Ralph L. Carr Judicial Center located at 2 E. 14th Ave.The suspect then breached the building and came in contact with an unarmed security guard with the Colorado State Patrol Capitol Security Unit. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox CSP said the suspect held the security guard at gunpoint and demanded access to other parts of the building. According to an arrest affidavit, the security guar...

Want to ice skate on a Denver pond? Not so fast

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:27:55 GMT

Want to ice skate on a Denver pond? Not so fast DENVER (KDVR) -- Ice skating is a fun and popular winter activity, and you might think that the frozen pond or lake in the park near your house would be a perfect place to skate around.However, if that park is located in Denver, you might want to think twice. This is because ice skating or walking on many frozen lakes and ponds in Denver is against the law. Why you should keep your Christmas lights up through the end of January Specifically, the activity isn't allowed in any frozen lake or pond in Denver city parks, parkways and mountain parks unless they're specifically designated for it.That doesn't mean that there are no places to go ice skating in Denver. There are a few places that feature the activity in the metro area.In the city specifically, there is the Downtown Denver Rink in Skyline Park, which features free admission and will stay open until Feb. 11.Safety on frozen pondsIce skating and walking on frozen ponds or lakes may not be explicitly banned in other municipalit...

The Chill is “on its way out”

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:27:55 GMT

The Chill is “on its way out” The solid stretch of cold weather that began last week is about to leave. The last of the widespread 50’s will come Wednesday morning as we still tap into a chilly flow from the north. As Wednesday continues, though, winds turn and we return to seasonable temperatures. Another weather change will soon involve a push of clouds. The cloud cover is forecast to thicken once the ocean flow begins. Despite having the clouds, rain isn’t expected on Wednesday. As we move into Thursday, however, a few “nuisance type” showers will be possible as a weather disturbance slides into Florida from the west. If you’re left out of the rain Thursday (and most places will) you’ll have another chance during the upcoming weekend. At that time, another system from the Gulf of Mexico will approach and should have more moisture to work with. By the way, it will also become more muggy (as well as being warmer) during the weekend time frame.

South Florida woman wants alligator removed after being attacked while protecting dog

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:27:55 GMT

South Florida woman wants alligator removed after being attacked while protecting dog A South Florida woman has always lived near the Everglades because she enjoys the proximity of the wildlife in the area, but a recent encounter with an alligator left her bloody and bruised. For Gwen Cash, she thinks gators are beautiful creatures and respects their space. But on New Year’s Eve, Cash said she had a run-in with the reptile as she was trying to protect her dog. “Within five minutes, we weren’t here that long, and he was right there, I go, ‘Wow,’ I scan the whole lake and that quick, he was right there,” she said. “He kind of turned like as if he was going for my dog’s throat. I tried putting my arm around my dog’s chest and that’s how I got scratched. I’m glad he didn’t close his mouth.” Cash said she was able to get her rottweiler Maximus back inside the house despite the attack. “When you start feeding them, they look at you and they think of food and that’s the only thing I c...