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“Big melt” begins for Sierra Nevada snowpack

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:27 GMT

A warm spell forecast for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week is raising concerns that the rate of melting in California’s huge Sierra Nevada snowpack will increase, potentially boosting the likelihood of flooding in the Central Valley and other areas as April gives way to May.“The big melt is now here. This is that week,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with UCLA, on Monday.There are no flood risks in the Bay Area, where temperatures in some areas mid-week could hit as high as 90 degrees.But the National Weather Service on Monday issued a flood watch for Thursday morning through next Tuesday for the Merced River in Yosemite National Park, which is forecast to exceed its 10-foot flood stage by 1 to 2 feet by the weekend.If the riverhits 12 feet at the Pohono Bridge, that can cause moderate flooding on Northside and Southside Drive, the main roads in and out of Yosemite Valley, which can result in the park being closed for a few days.Last week, park offi...

Letters: Oakland’s needs | GOP and guns | Alameda County DA | Abortion restrictions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:27 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.With A’s out, Oaklandcan focus on needsRe: “Oakland A’s: ‘We have a land deal in Las Vegas’” (Page A1, April 21).To the A’s ownership group, thank you for helping me understand that it is baseball, not your greed-shaped caricature of a Major League Baseball team, that I love.To the elected leaders of Oakland, you have pronounced that our city has needs and priorities other than professional sports teams. Fair enough. Those sports teams that you said were competing for precious public dollars are gone or soon to be gone. It is now your turn to stand and deliver on what you proclaimed to be the highest priorities of our city — housing, safety, schools, parks, libraries, the arts, thriving commercial areas, etc.Pastor Jim HopkinsOaklandRepublicans make surethat guns are plentifulRe: “Didn’t get your mail in Oakland? Your letter carrier may have been robbedR...

Lt. Gov. Kounalakis announces 2026 bid for governor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:27 GMT

Associated PressSACRAMENTO — California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis said Monday she is running for governor in 2026, the first major candidate to announce a bid for an election nearly four years away.Kounalakis, a Democrat, hopes to become the first woman elected governor in state history. She’s already the first woman to be elected to the state’s second highest job. And last year, she made history as the first woman to sign a law in California when she filled in for Gov. Gavin Newsom while he was traveling out of state.Newsom, a Democrat, is only four months into his second four-year term as governor, having easily won reelection in November. It’s somewhat rare for major candidates to announce their candidacies so early in an election cycle. But it does have some advantages.California is one of the most costly places to run a statewide political campaign because it is home to some of the nation’s largest and most expensive media markets. By announcing her cand...

Comedian Richard Lewis reveals he has Parkinson’s disease

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:27 GMT

Associated PressNEW YORK — Comedian Richard Lewis is retiring from stand-up following four surgeries and a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.The 75-year-old “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star, who is known for wearing all-black and exploring his neuroses onstage, posted a video Monday to Twitter explaining his various health issues.“For the last three-and-a-half years, I’ve had sort of a rocky time,” he said, adding that he has suffered with back pain, and he had shoulder and hip replacement surgeries.He also got a brain scan because he was shuffling his feet when he walked. Doctors diagnosed him with Parkinson’s. “Luckily, I got it late in life, and they say you progress very slowly if at all, and I’m on the right meds, so I’m cool,” he said. “I’m finished with stand-up. I’m just focusing on writing and acting.”Lewis’ big screen credits include “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” “Lea...

Best Bitcoin Casinos in Canada Ranked by Crypto Casino Games, & BTC Bonuses for Canadian Players

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:27 GMT

Sponsored ContentTraditional gambling sites enjoyed their heyday, but they’re quickly going the way of the dodo bird. Luckily, Canadian crypto casinos are there to save the day!The best Bitcoin casinos in Canada have a lot more to offer in terms of gaming variety, user experience, and welcome bonuses.And we’ve got a list of them here!Bitstarz was our #1 overall pick, but there are more Canadian Bitcoin casinos you should explore. We’ve reviewed and ranked them based on our strict benchmark factors.Let’s begin, shall we?Best Bitcoin Casinos in CanadaBitstarz: Best overallMyStake: Best for slotsSky Crown: Best bonusesCloudbet: Best range of accepted cryptosmBit Casino: Top pick for live casino games7Bit Casino: Most crypto casino gamesPunt Casino: Best for high rollersRocket Pot: Cool poker tournamentsKatsubet: Best table gamesKingbit: Great monthly reload bonusesCoinslotty: Top pick for mobile1. Bitstarz – Best Crypto Casino in Canada OverallPros4,000+ crypto gamesBonus up to 5 BTC20...

Letters: Bay Area unwieldy | Kids will pay | Unsafe schools

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:27 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Bay Area too unwieldyfor regional plansThere are 101 municipalities in the nine-county Bay Area, which makes coordination on regional issues practically impossible.Smaller communities have significant power even though they can be controlled by a small group of wealthier residents or narrow business interests, and that power then gets used to obstruct and derail county, regional and state needs. Plus it’s clear that all these governments cannot hire and retain the quality talent they need to serve the public. Cupertino has famously been a recalcitrant neighbor in our region for years but my city of Campbell is quietly guilty of the same; they simply cannot and will not function at the level of San Jose, etc.Many of these smaller communities are failing their residents and neighbors. Tradition is not working. A significant reduction in local governments via municipal consolidation is what our region...

Six shootings in two days: weekend Oakland gun violence claims four lives

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:27 GMT

(KRON) -- Six shootings took place in the City of Oakland over the weekend. Four of the shootings are now being investigated as homicides, according to the Oakland Police Department. Mother, daughter identified after fatal shooting at Oakland residence One shooting resulted in the death of a 13-year-old girl. Now, the Oakland Unified School District is speaking out after several of its students were impacted by the gun violence. Some in the community are wondering when the violence will end. Saturday, April 22 (all times are approximate)11:00 a.m. -- Officers found a man suffering from gunshot wounds in the area of Edes Avenue and Hegenberger Road. He was taken to a local hospital and was listed in critical condition. OPD asks anyone with more information to contact Felony Assault at 510-238-3426. 12:30 p.m. -- A shooting was reported on the 1600 block of 35th Avenue, and police found a victim suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was taken to a local hospital where they late...

'The Big Melt': California's record snowfall set to flow down the state's rivers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:27 GMT

(KTXL) — California received a record amount of snow this past winter, and as the snowpack begins to melt, local and state authorities are warning about the dangers the water flows present to the agriculture industry, cities and communities, and ecosystems along the state's rivers. "The Big Melt is now officially arriving..." Climate Scientist Daniel Swain said on Twitter. "Flows on many rivers draining the central/southern Sierra will double or triple (with locally greater increases) as temperatures rise. Some rivers will exceed flood stage, & Tulare Basin will worsen."The record snowfall was a welcome sight in the state, which has been in a severe drought for the better part of a decade, but fast-rising temperatures at the end of April could send a lot of cold water for a longer period of time down the state's waterways. Local and state agencies have been announcing for weeks that the public should avoid entering the waterways as the cold water makes its way down rivers and s...

$1.5-million Powerball ticket bought in Los Gatos claimed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:27 GMT

(KRON) -- A person who bought a winning Powerball ticket in Los Gatos worth $1,556,855 in prize money came forward on Monday -- the final day possible to claim the cash, California Lottery officials told KRON4. The ticket was set to expire on Tuesday if it was not claimed by Monday's deadline, Lottery officials said. The ticket was purchased at a Mobil gas station --formerly a 76 gas station -- at 15380 Los Gatos Boulevard. In a draw that happened on October 26, 2022, the winning ticket matched five numbers, 19-36-37-46-56, and missed only the red Powerball number, 24. For months, the ticket's buyer was a mystery.Lottery spokesperson Carolyn Becker wrote, "The Lottery just received the claim today (deadline day). As with all of our big winners, the claim will be thoroughly vetted before any winners can be declared. The vetting process takes weeks, sometimes even months depending on the circumstances. But I can confirm we do now have a claimant for this prize."If the person had not c...

Markkanen, serving his Finnish service, wins most improved

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:27 GMT

A recruit in the Finnish military is now the NBA’s Most Improved Player.All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz was announced Monday night as the winner of this season’s most improved award, as voted on by 100 writers and broadcasters who cover the league.The news came just past 2 a.m. Tuesday in Helsinki, where Markkanen is currently fulfilling the military service that is mandated for all Finnish men before they turn 30.“Didn’t wake up at 2 a.m. for nothing,” Markkanen said on the TNT broadcast of the announcement. “It feels great. Obviously, it’s a huge privilege to be in this position.”He began his enlistment in his home country earlier this month — even getting rid of his longish curly hair for the shaved-head look of a soldier. He spent a few days in Finland with family after the Jazz season ended, then started his military commitment.“Days are pretty long,” Markkanen said of his military duties. “We wake up early and go for probably 10, 12 ho...