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Zachary Brown, Lucas Braner, Lane Castro Were Killed in Power Pole Crash on Vineyard Road [Placer County, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:51 GMT

Single-Vehicle Accident Near Cook Riolo Road Left Three DeadPLACER COUNTRY, CA (June 27, 2023) – Early Sunday morning, a power pole crash in Placer County Killed Zachary Brown, Lucas Braner, and Lane Castro.The incident happened around 1:50 a.m. along westbound Vineyard Road, just west of Cook Riolo Road.According to the investigators, a BMW was traveling along Vineyard Road at a high rate of speed. For reasons currently unknown, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it struck a power pole. The BMW then continued on, hit a brick gate, and came to a stop on the south shoulder of Vineyard Road.Emergency crews arrived to the site of the collision shortly after. After assessing the situation, officials pronounced the three occupants of the BMW dead at the scene. The County Coroner’s office later identified the victims as Zachary Brown, Lucas Braner, and Lane Castro. All of the men were 21 years old.The team at Sweet James sends their sincere sympathies to the family and...

Into the Bebeverse with Bebe Rexha

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:51 GMT

Into the Bebeverse with Bebe Rexha: Multi-platinum pop hitmaker Bebe Rexha is now at the level where she can play two nights at the not-exactly-small Wiltern, fully confident that her hoards of adoring fans will show up for her. She hasn’t been an overnight success, writing for Eminem and more before treading her own ground. But new album Bebe, her third, is a pop monster. Zolita opens.Back in May, Rexha invited fans into her “Bebeverse” to celebrate the release of the new album.“As you enter the Bebeverse, you become a Bebe avatar in a multi-player environment (mobile and desktop) with a bunch of other Bebe‘s,” reads the press release. “You will enter a 70’s roller disco lobby featuring an arcade, classic heart car, disco ball, and multi-colored party lights. The user will be prompted to plug in party lights and the space will be animated with neon lights, which sends them to the Disco Roller Rink. The roller rink will be filled with disco balls ...

H.E.R.’s massive Lights On Festival moving from East Bay to Peninsula

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:51 GMT

H.E.R. is saying goodbye to Concord and hello to Mountain View.The multi-Grammy-winner, who also has an Emmy and an Oscar to her credit, is moving her Lights On Festival from its old home of Concord Pavilion to the much-larger Shoreline Amphitheatre in 2023.Lights On — which sold out its first two runs, in 2019 and 2021 — takes place Sept. 16-17 at the Mountain View venue. Jazmine Sullivan headlines the first night, while H.E.R. & Friends play Sept. 17. Other acts on the ample bill include Don Toliver, Alina Baraz, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Doechii, DVSN, and many more.Pre-sales run from noon June 29 to 10 p.m. June 29. The general on-sale starts at noon June 30, livenation.com.“I’m so excited Lights On Fest will be making its return,” says Bay Area native H.E.R. “It’s my favorite way to wind down the summer by having two days filled with great R&B music. I am so proud to reveal the extraordinary talent we have on the bill this year and can’t wait for everyone to see what’s...

Man accused of entering East Palo Alto home, sexually assaulting victim still at large

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:51 GMT

EAST PALO ALTO — Police are still looking for a 46-year-old man accused of entering a home and sexually assaulting someone on June 3.46-year-old Juan Ortiz is wanted for entering an East Palo Alto home and committing a sexual assault on June 3, police say. The San Mateo County District Attorney’s office filed charged and issued a $100,000 arrest warrant Tuesday for Juan Tapia Ortiz of East Palo Alto on June 13.Police consider Ortiz armed and dangerous, according to a press release, and are warning anyone who sees him not to attempt a stop or contact.8Anyone with information is asked to call the East Palo Alto Police Department. The dispatcher will need Ortiz’ location, a detailed description of his appearance including clothing, facial hair and other defining features, a vehicle description if applicable, and whether or not he appears to be armed, police say.

South Bay restaurants strive to make employees feel valued

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:51 GMT

Editor’s note: This story is part of the annual Mosaic Journalism Workshop for Bay Area high school students, a two-week intensive course in journalism. Students in the program report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.Known for the authenticity of its food, Luna Mexican Kitchen is a small locally owned  business that not only welcomes its customers but also acknowledges its workers by showing appreciation in multiple ways.Behind the scenes, co-owners John Lopez and his wife Jo Lerma-Lopez have built a family culture at their two restaurants —– one on The Alameda in San Jose and the other in the Pruneyard in Campbell — with elaborate Christmas and Easter events, and even bowling nights.“They do not see the employees as machines. They see them as human beings,” said Jose Cerda, manager of the kitchen at the San Jose restaurant. “It’s important to the owners for us to be balanced between work and family.”Owners Jo Lerma-Lopez, left, and John Lo...

Oakland: Man who allegedly conscripted a getaway driver after killing a person to get 21 years in plea deal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:51 GMT

OAKLAND — A Bay area man is set to be sentenced to 21 years in a case where he allegedly kidnapped a getaway driver after killing a man in the city’s Arroyo Viejo neighborhood.John Fritz Jr., 44, pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and use of a gun in the death of 48-year-old Kevin Williams, and admitted to having a prior conviction. In exchange, prosecutors dropped murder, carjacking, and kidnapping charges against him. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday and remains in Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in the meantime.Williams was shot and killed on the morning of Nov. 3, 2020, near 79th Avenue and Holly Street in Oakland. Police described the killing as an attempted robbery that went awry, and that Fritz shot Williams as he was attempting to run away.Afterwards, Fritz allegedly pointed his gun at a passing motorist and forced the man to take him away from the area. Witnesses and “digital evidence” helped police identify Fritz as a suspect, investi...

Winery Adventure: Exploring Napa Valley’s glorious Castello di Amorosa

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:51 GMT

Napa Valley’s spectacular Castello di Amorosa is a bit like Alcatraz. Oh, not in appearance, of course! But this re-created medieval castle and the infamous federal prison are icons. They’re places you send out-of-town visitors to be wowed — but somehow never really go to yourself. We set out to fix that on a recent sunny Saturday, winding our way north to Calistoga to explore Dario Sattui’s famous winery.With its massive crenellated stone towers, its drawbridge and moat and expansive grounds, the castle is a stunning sight as it comes into view. It’s even more stunning on the inside, where Tuscan-style frescos and period pieces would make a Medici feel right at home.The backstory: The Sattui family is a Napa Valley wine legend. Dario’s great grandfather, Vittorio Sattui, founded St. Helena Wine Cellars in 1885. And Dario Sattui, a fourth-generation winemaker, has always been passionate about wine, about the family business — which he relaunched i...

Watch: 13-year-old girl is first female skateboarder to land a 720 in competition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:51 GMT

(CNN) — Australian teenager Arisa Trew has become the first female to land a 720 – a skateboarding trick involving two full rotations while in the air – as she competed in the Tony Hawk Vert Alert event on Saturday.Arisa Trew at a competition in Japan in May 2023.Credit: Kenichiro Ogane/AFLO/Shutterstock/File In 1985, legendary skateboarder Hawk became the first to complete the trick. He was present at his namesake competition in Salt Lake City, and said on Instagram that the 13-year-old Trew “brought the house down.”She won the women’s competition at the event.“I can’t believe I landed my first 720!!! And to be the first girl in the world to land a 7 in competition,” an ecstatic Trew said on Instagram, before thanking those who helped her achieve this accomplishment.Her coach Trevor Ward also took to Instagram to talk about the process of the teen making history and the battle between Trew and 16-year-old German skater Lilly Stoephasius to land the trick.“What an amazing...

How median price for a 1-bedroom apartment in SF compares to national average

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:51 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The median price for a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco is about twice the national average, according to a new report from Zumper. The median price for a one-bedroom according to Zumper's National average remained flat month-over-month at $1,504.San Francisco's median price for a one-bedroom also remained flat but still comes in at $3,000, nearly twice the national average. In terms of rental markets for one-bedrooms, SF is ranked third by Zumper -- behind New York City in first and Jersey City in second. This California county is most expensive in U.S. for renters, and it’s not SF For a two-bedroom apartment, San Francisco ranks second, just behind NYC at $4,130. That's more than double the national median, which increased slightly to $1,891, according to Zumper.Other Bay Area cities mentioned in the Zumper report remained flat month-over-month. San Jose is ranked sixth nationally with a median monthly rate of $2,600 for a one-bedroom. Oakland, just...

Rose Zhang missing Solheim Cup points under archaic LPGA policy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:51 GMT

Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis made her professional debut in 2008 in the U.S. Women’s Open at Interlachen, had a one-shot lead going into the final round and wound up in a tie for third behind Inbee Park.Her earnings of $162,487 did not count toward trying to earn an LPGA Tour card because the LGPA did not co-sponsor the U.S. Women’s Open. Lewis ended up winning Q-school and before long was on her way to 12 victories, including two majors. The policy since has been changed.That’s notable now because she might have to use a captain’s pick on Rose Zhang, who has shown her worth in two big tournaments. Zhang won the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National in her pro debut. Three weeks later, she was within one shot of the lead until a bogey on the 16th hole at Baltusrol in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She tied for eighth.Because of archaic LPGA policy, Zhang does not get credit for her victory because she became a member after she won. That cost h...