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Kirsten Powell returns as Monte Sereno’s city attorney after 4 years

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:38:11 GMT

Kirsten Powell returned to her role as Monte Sereno’s city attorney this month after a four-year break.She previously held the job from 2004 to 2019, also working as the city attorney for Scotts Valley and as counsel for West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority and West Valley Clean Water Authority.Powell said she had three kids in school and resigned from her role in Monte Sereno to spend more time with her family.“There was a lot going on, and it was a lot to handle. I wanted to be able to spend some more time with my family. I now have two in college and one who’s going to be a senior. They need me less, and I have some time,” Powell said. “It’s sort of a good time in my life to go back and work with the city.”Mayor Bryan Mekechuk said Powell will replace the Oakland-based firm Burk, Williams & Sorensen LLP, which worked for the small city of 3,500 residents for the past few years.“I always enjoyed working for the city,” Powell said. “With the exception of the...

First dip in California rents in 2 years comes as vacancies hit 2-year high

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:38:11 GMT

”Survey says” looks at various rankings and scorecards judging geographic locations while noting these grades are best seen as a mix of artful interpretation and data.Buzz: California renters are finally getting a break: a 24-month streak of rising rents is over and the number of empty units has hit a two-year high.Source: My trusty spreadsheet looked at rent and vacancy data for May, compiled by ApartmentList. The stats track trends statewide and in 15 heavily populated counties, using yardsticks that combine rental units of various sizes.ToplineIf you didn’t realize the crazed pandemic rental market had ended, this report is a noteworthy mile marker.Rents statewide averaged $1,946 in May – that’s a drop of 0.7% over the past year. And rents have dipped in 13 of the 15 counties tracked over the past 12 months.Yes, this is a meager statewide price decline – but the last time rents were dropping on a year-over-year basis was April 2021.Plus, ponder the speed and depth of this revers...

California college professors test out AI in the classroom, even as cheating debate continues

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:38:11 GMT

By  ROCKY WALKER | CalMattersThis spring, as debates were raging on college campuses about the proper role of generative AI in higher education, Diablo Valley College adjunct professor Frako Loden created an assignment to see how students in her American Cinema class interacted with ChatGPT.For their final opinion piece of the semester, they were to pick a discussion question about the 1950’s movie “A Place in the Sun,” insert it into ChatGPT as a prompt, and then grade the response themselves. The AI got key details of the plot wrong in some cases, Loden said.In the film, for example, protagonist George takes his girlfriend to a lake and she falls in and accidentally drowns, but ChatGPT says that he purposely killed her there. “That may be a subtle point, but it really does figure at the end when you evaluate his character,” said Loden, “ChatGPT kind of runs rough over that and suggests that he was planning it from the start and that he’s an evil dude.”Loden’s assignment illustrate...

Asking Oakland A’s fans: What would you say to John Fisher if you had the chance?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:38:11 GMT

OAKLAND – More than one vulgar chant was hurled in Oakland A’s owner John Fisher’s direction by upset fans during a ‘reverse boycott’ at the Coliseum on Tuesday night.What would A’s fans really say to Fisher if they had a chance to talk with him face-to-face?Well, they wouldn’t use the quite same harsh language, it seems.But they would also get their point across in no uncertain terms, and urge him to do right by Oakland A’s fans.“I think if I was looking at John Fisher in the eye I’d say, ‘Please, sell it to someone that genuinely cares about our community,’” Oakland 68s member Jorge Leon said before Tuesday’s game between the A’s and Tampa Bay Rays. “Sell this team. You’re going to make a profit. Nothing wrong with that money. You have the San Jose Earthquakes.“Right now, if you took this team away, the name Fisher is going to be ruined, and I don’t think his mom Doris wants that. I would say just sell it now and just be done with it...

San Francisco homicide: Man shot near Turk & Market

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:38:11 GMT

A man was fatally shot early Tuesday in the Tenderloin neighborhood, San Francisco police said.The shooting was reported at 1:38 a.m. in the first block of Turk Street, near Market Street. Paramedics treated the man at the scene and took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.The victim was identified as Nile Steward, 32.No arrest had been made as of Tuesday, and no suspect information was announced.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Trial begins for teen accused of causing father’s death by dousing him with drain cleaner Crime and Public Safety | East San Jose: At least one dead after car fire on Interstate 680 Crime and Public Safety | ‘Swingers’ or predators? Judge to decide if case against California doctor can go to trial Crime and Public Safety | Marin teen arrested for alleged battery on church elder Crime and Public Safety | Bomb squad safely removes grenade brought to Santa Cruz Polic...

Discover the Top 8 Strains From Herbies USA Express

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:38:11 GMT

Sponsored Content With America’s cannabis industry in full bloom, it’s no surprise that there are more and more would-be growers sprouting up. However, the market has its fair share of shady sellers, making it tough for U.S. growers to buy top-quality seeds from trusted names.That’s where Herbies Seeds comes in! The famous Spain-based seed bank has created a brand called Herbies USA Express for their U.S. customers to have a reliable source of amazing strains. Read on to find out what makes Herbies USA Express so special, learn some tips for picking the right strain, take a peek at eight of their best strains, and see why this is the go-to place to get the right seeds for your needs.Why Choose Herbies USA Express?There are plenty of seed banks out there. So, why should you choose Herbies USA Express?Premium selection. The company offers over 140 strains handpicked for U.S. growers, who crave high potency and heavy yields ASAP – and the catalog keeps getting lo...

2 teens shot, 1 dead in San Leandro

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:38:11 GMT

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. (KRON) -- Two teenagers were shot overnight in San Leandro around Tuesday night. At 9:10 p.m., San Leandro police received a report of a shooting near the Saint Moritz Garden apartment complex off of Washington Avenue. When officers arrived, they located two male victims, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old, and began administering aid, police said.Both victims were transported to a local hospital. The 16-year-old succumbed to his injuries and the 17-year-old is currently in stable condition. Police are on the lookout for at least one shooter.Authorities were on scene for several hours but have since cleared the area. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation. San Jose family loses livelihood after thieves steal $100K worth of stage equipment No arrests have been made. This is a developing story. Stick with us for updates.

Missing man with dementia found safe: San Leandro PD

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:38:11 GMT

Update: Hall has been located and is safe, according to San Leandro police.(KRON) -- The San Leandro Police Department is searching for a missing man who is considered at-risk, according to a social post from the department. Wayman Hall is described as 5'11", 120 pounds with brown/gray hair and brown eyes.Hall is 72 years old and was last seen on Tuesday when he left his residence for a doctor's appointment around 10 a.m. He never arrived. A’s stadium bill approved by Nevada State Senate Hall is considered at-risk because he has dementia. However, police say he is able to care for himself and drive. He was last seen wearing a maroon t-shirt and blue cargo shirts. He was driving a 2012 gray Honda Crosstour with CA license plate number 6YDV808.Anyone who sees Hall is asked to call the San Leandro Police Department at (510) 577-1700.

How 3D Models and Other Technology Could Make it Easier to Convict War Criminals

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:38:11 GMT

Standing before a computer monitor in a courtroom in The Hague in 2020, a prosecutor with the International Criminal Court zoomed in and out on a detailed 3D digital reconstruction of the city of Timbuktu. She moved around the interactive map through squares and markets, zooming past renderings of city buildings, eventually descending to street level. There, she played a video that showed a Malian rebel leader holding a whip and escorting two cuffed men to an open area, then ordering the men to kneel and whipping them before a crowd of bystanders, including several children.It was a vivid opening to the war crimes and crimes against humanity trial of Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz, a member of the Ansar Dine Islamist group, which took over swaths of northern Mali in a 2012 coup. As chief of Islamic police, Al Hassan stands accused of widespread crimes, including torture, rape, sexual slavery, and forced marriages.“Mr. Al Hassan’s work was not confined within the four walls of his office,”...

Book Review: Claire Legrand debuts adult trilogy with spellbinding ‘A Crown of Ivy and Glass’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:38:11 GMT

“A Crown of Ivy and Glass” by Claire Legrand (Bloom Books)Lady Imogen Ashbourne is rich, spoiled and obsessed with looks. She’s also tremendously weighted with guilt both earned and unearned. She’s got a lot of growing up to do, and the sink-or-swim adventure she’s about to embark on will guarantee she does.Author Claire Legrand, already established in the world of teen fiction, is also growing up into the world of adult fantasy with “A Crown of Ivy and Glass.” It’s the first of a promised three books in the Middlemist Trilogy, which promises angst, sexy time, mythical beasts and intriguing lore. A seasoned fantasy writer and masterful worldbuilder, Legrand explains the world’s history and magic without bogging down the story or turning it into a history lesson.Before the story even begins, Legrand warns readers it’s going to be an intense ride. Her author’s note serves as a brief content warning — one that is wholly merited, as the book touches on numerous sensitive but impor...