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Most homes in Hawaii aren’t prepared for hurricanes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:02 GMT

By Audrey McAvoy | Associated PressHONOLULU — Jan Pappas and Ronald Yasuda hired a contractor to fasten the roof of their 1960s-era home to their walls with metal plates and nails so high winds of a potential hurricane wouldn’t blow it away.Their motivation? Global warming fueling natural disasters around the planet.“It’s happening right now, every place in the world,” said Pappas, who installed the so-called hurricane clips after watching extreme weather in other parts of the world. “How are we to expect that it’s not going to happen here to us?”Many of Hawaii’s homes are even more vulnerable than theirs. Two-thirds of the single-family homes on Oahu, an island of 1 million people that’s home to Honolulu, have no hurricane protections. That lack of preparedness is unnerving residents this hurricane season as the islands prepare for the possibility of a one-two weather punch: the increased odds of a tropical cyclone that come wit...

California hotel owners pull back, cut openings by half

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:02 GMT

“Crash, correction or chill” looks at economic and real estate trends that offer hints about the depth of housing’s troubles.Buzz: Building new hotels in California is no longer a popular endeavor, with openings cut nearly in half.Source: My trusty spreadsheet reviewed Atlas Hospitality Group’s mid-year hotel construction reports dating to 2018.ToplineFirst, ponder the words from the industry analysts at Atlas, not the data.Start with the 2019 executive summary, written in the middle of a tourism boom …“2018 was a record-breaking year for California hotel development, and as we predicted, 2019 is on pace to eclipse it,” the snapshot enthusiastically stated. “Lenders and developers continue to be very bullish on new California hotels, as they see a very positive long-term outlook for the Golden State. The rapid rise in construction costs has done very little to dampen the supply of new California hotel rooms.”Now see what Atlas wrote four years later, in mid-2023, in a far more anx...

San Jose Summer Fest 2023: 8 shows you shouldn’t miss

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:02 GMT

As in past years, Summer Fest presents a fundamental challenge to the laws of physics.If unable to be in two or three locations at the same moment, one must make difficult decisions regarding  which musicians to see and when. Whether you plant yourself in one spot or hustle between venues, there’s a wealth of options. Here are suggestions for some of the event’s most intriguing shows.The Bad PlusWhen & where: 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at Montgomery Theater StageWhy you should see them: The evolution from power trio to piano-less quartet has taken The Bad Plus into intriguing new territory, with founding members bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Dave King joined by guitarist Ben Monder and imperturbably cool-toned tenor saxophonist Chris Speed. Note: The band also plays Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz Aug. 10; www.kuumbwajazz.org).Billy ChildsWhen & where: 9 p.m. Aug. 11 at Montgomery Theater StageWhy you should see him: A pianist, composer and arranger of the highest order, Bil...

5 men charged in $1.1 million takeover robbery of San Ramon jewelry store appeared to get help from insider law enforcement source, feds say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:02 GMT

SAN RAMON — Federal prosecutors in the East Bay have filed robbery charges against five people believed to be among 11 participants who robbed a San Ramon jewelry store last March, unaware that one of the Rolex watches they allegedly stole contained a tracking device, court records show.Among the five suspects are one man who remains a fugitive and another who allegedly received sensitive information that only police knew about the case, raising questions as to whether the investigation was compromised by a turncoat within law enforcement.RELATED: A hardware store that lost $700,000 to shoplifters illustrates the woes behind a multi-county Bay Area spikeThe March 17 robbery involved seven people leaving two cars to commit an armed, takeover robbery of Heller Jewelers in San Ramon, while drivers of both vehicles remained behind. The robbers made off with more than 70 pieces of jewelry worth an estimated $1.1 million, but one of the Rolex watches they stole contained a secret GP...

Two people arrested, charged in road rage death of Carmel man

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:02 GMT

(KRON) -- Two people have been arrested and charged in connection to a road rage incident that killed a man from Carmel, the California Highway Patrol said. VIDEO: Car crashes into Redwood City home Nicholas Krenke, 32, of Monterey was booked into Monterey County Jail on a felony hit-and-run charge on July 18. On July 25, Jenny R. Lesch, 45, of Carmel Valley turned herself into the Monterey Police Department on charges including hit-and-run, assault and reckless driving. The crash took place on May 31 around 3:35 p.m. on State Route 1, south of State Route 68 in an unincorporated part of Monterey County. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KRON4 Breaking News SIGN UP NOW CHP says 62-year-old James Howard Pack of Carmel lost control of his vehicle due to Lesch's ...

Resident exchanged fire with suspects in Oakland home invasion robbery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:02 GMT

(KRON) -- A home invasion robbery in Oakland ended in an exchange of gunfire between the resident and two suspects, according to the Oakland Police Department. On Thursday, July 27, at around 2 a.m. two armed individuals forced their way into a residence on the 11100 block of Ettrick Street. Tesla crashes with teen behind the wheel in Santa Rosa The individuals began searching the home, which was occupied by one resident. The resident, police said, feared for their safety and fired one round at one of the people who had forced their way into the home.The two individuals fired multiple rounds at the resident and then fled the area, police said. No injuries were reported as a result of the exchange.The Oakland Police Department is conducting an active investigation into the incident.

New programs offered for those with overdue bridge toll violation payments

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:02 GMT

(BCN) -- Those with overdue payments from toll violations on Bay Area bridges can now take advantage of new programs designed to make paying off late fees easier, said the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Bay Area FasTrak now offers payment plan programs open to any low-income residents who have received toll violations on bridges or express lanes. Tesla crashes with teen behind the wheel in Santa Rosa Those who qualify for the program can have their violation penalties waived and pay off any remaining balance of at least $100 with a payment plan, according to a MTC press release. Additionally, the Bay Area Toll Authority now offers one-time full or partial penalty waivers through September 2024, which are open to anyone regardless of income level. These programs are not limited to Bay Area residents, but anyone with penalties or fees related to toll violations. Those interested in the programs can mail a paper application to the MTC at P.O. Box 316, Concord, 94522...

Stolen firearm, drug paraphernalia seized in Livermore traffic stop, 1 arrested

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:02 GMT

(KRON) -- One man was arrested and a stolen firearm and drug paraphernalia were seized in a traffic stop in Livermore last week, according to the Livermore Police Department. Officers conducted a traffic stop on Wednesday, July 26 at around 1 a.m. on a 2015 Cadillac for vehicle code violations, including expired tags.The Cadillac was stopped on Airway Boulevard near Clubhouse Drive. VIDEO: Car crashes into Redwood City home Police said the driver, 59-year-old Michael Silva of Livermore, was a convicted felon and had a suspended license for DUI. While searching the vehicle, officers found a stolen .45 caliber handgun that was loaded, along with drug paraphernalia.Silva was arrested on several charges, including felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a concealed firearmA photo posted by Livermore PD showed the firearm along with several rounds of ammunition and what looked like a glass pipe.

Chelsea reinforces midfield by signing Ugochukwu from Rennes for $30M

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:02 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Chelsea strengthened its midfield options Tuesday by signing 19-year-old Lesley Ugochukwu from French club Rennes for a reported 23.5 million pounds ($30 million).The France under-19 international has signed a seven-year deal and follows strikers Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku and winger Angelo Gabriel in joining Chelsea this offseason.Ugochukwu made his senior debut for Rennes in 2021 and made 60 appearances for his boyhood club, scoring one goal in the French league.Chelsea needed to reinforce its midfield after losing Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek this offseason.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerSource

Part of GW Parkway reopens after lengthy cleanup following ferocious storms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:02 GMT

Listen live to WTOP for the latest on storm damage and outages.The D.C. region continues to recover after Saturday’s severe storm ripped through the area, toppling trees, and knocking out power for thousands across the area. Here’s what you need to know.Traffic Impact: Part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway reopened Tuesday as crews removed trees, branches and other debris from the road.Current Outages: As of Tuesday morning, the number of customers without power continued to dwindle as power companies work to restore electricity to residences. While most residents of suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia have seen their power restored, there are still nearly 700 residents in Northwest D.C. who remain in the dark.GW Parkway cleanupPart of the George Washington Memorial Parkway reopened Tuesday afternoon after being shuttered for nearly two days as crews worked to clear trees and other debris that had fallen across the roadway.As of Tuesday afternoon, one lane w...