San Jose’s top offenders in the fight against blight? A marijuana church and multimillion-dollar homes

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:56:59 GMT

San Jose’s top offenders in the fight against blight? A marijuana church and multimillion-dollar homes A shuttered marijuana church. Multimillion-dollar mansions. A disheveled house with cats crawling around the driveway and a well-manicured home with prominent signs that warn trespassers they will be shot.These San Jose properties are among the worst code violators in the city when it comes to monetary fines; each owes more than $100,000 for penalties that span from selling weed without a license to building projects with no permits — charges that in some cases have languished for years, including one dating back to the start of President George W. Bush’s second term.Altogether, the nine properties are on the hook for $1.05 million, though it’s unclear whether the city will ever retrieve fines from some of the owners.The Mercury News requested the list as San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan pushes to focus resources citywide on cleaning up graffiti, weeds and garbage and tackle a growing backlog of code violation cases that now number in the thousands through more proactive ...

Projecting the Sharks’ 23-man roster: Big, skilled Russian continues his push, but will it matter?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:56:59 GMT

Projecting the Sharks’ 23-man roster: Big, skilled Russian continues his push, but will it matter? SAN JOSE – Henry Thrun earned high marks from coach David Quinn for the way he played in the San Jose Sharks’ first preseason game over the weekend. Then, after the Sharks’ second exhibition game, it was fellow defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin’s turn to receive some praise.Playing in a teal uniform at SAP Center for the first time, the Russian-born Mukhamadullin was second among all Sharks skaters with 20:30 in ice time in Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Mukhamadullin, 22, showed off his skating prowess, looked poised and decisive against an aggressive Ducks forecheck, assisted on a power play goal, and also defended hard in front of his own net.“He certainly has impressed me,” Quinn said of the 6-foot-4 Mukhamadullin, who was a major part of last season’s trade that saw Timo Meier go to New Jersey. “Really encouraged about what I’ve seen in training camp and certainly very excited about what his future holds.”Realistically, though, that future likely doesn’t inc...

Lanes reopening after possible shooting on I-580 in Oakland

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:56:59 GMT

Lanes reopening after possible shooting on I-580 in Oakland (KRON) -- All lanes of eastbound Interstate 580 in Oakland were shut down due to a possible freeway shooting, the California Highway Patrol said Wednesday morning. Lanes have now reopened.The Oakland Police Department reported possible gunfire in the area around I-580 at Grand Avenue to CHP at 4:58 a.m., CHP said. By 5:31 a.m., CHP was on scene to close traffic lanes for the investigation.No victims or vehicles related to the possible shooting were found, CHP said. The investigation remains ongoing.Motorists should expect delays and are advised to use alternative routes. Lanes were reopening as of around 6:30 a.m., police said.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

President Biden continues campaign events in the Bay Area Wednesday

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:56:59 GMT

President Biden continues campaign events in the Bay Area Wednesday SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- President Joe Biden is waking up at San Francisco’s Fairmont hotel today as he starts his second day in the Bay Area. On Wednesday, Biden will be attending several campaign events.The president landed at Moffett Federal Airfield in Santa Clara County Tuesday afternoon before taking a helicopter to San Francisco to attend a couple of private fundraisers. The president also stopped at another private fundraiser in Atherton along the way.On Wednesday, Biden plans to meet with scientists on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, but there will be a couple more private fundraisers as he seeks reelection in 2024.Biden is quite familiar with the Bay Area as this is his third visit in six months. Six months ago, he was touring storm damage, and three months ago, he was meeting with tech leaders to learn more about artificial intelligence as well as campaigning. ‘No turn on red’ signs could be going up all over San Francisco Road closures wer...

US officials say Travis King is in American custody. The US soldier crossed into North Korea in July

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:56:59 GMT

US officials say Travis King is in American custody. The US soldier crossed into North Korea in July FILE - A portrait of American soldier Travis King is displayed as his grandfather, Carl Gates, talks about his grandson on July 19, 2023, in Kenosha, Wis. The Biden administration is extending for another year a ban on the use of U.S. passports for travel to North Korea, the State Department said Tuesday. The latest extension comes as tensions with North Korea are rising over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and the uncertain status of Travis King, a U.S. service member who last month entered the country through its heavily armed border. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)(AP/Morry Gash) FILE - A portrait of American soldier Travis King is displayed as his grandfather, Carl Gates, talks about his grandson on July 19, 2023, in Kenosha, Wis. The Biden administrati...

Lindsay Davenport will be the next US captain for the Billie Jean King Cup

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:56:59 GMT

Lindsay Davenport will be the next US captain for the Billie Jean King Cup Lindsay Davenport will replace Kathy Rinaldi as the U.S. captain for the Billie Jean King Cup after this year’s competition ends, taking over a squad that has included recent U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff.Davenport is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame who won three Grand Slam titles in singles, another three in doubles and reached No. 1 in the WTA singles and doubles rankings. She earned a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics and was a member of three championship rosters for the United States in the team competition that used to be called the Fed Cup and was renamed to honor King in 2020.Davenport went 26-3 in singles and 7-0 in doubles as a player in the Billie Jean King Cup for the U.S., helping the country win titles in 1996, 1999 and 2000 — each with King as captain. Only Chris Evert won more singles matches for the United States in the event.The U.S. Tennis Association planned to announce Davenport’s appointment to lead the American team on Wednesday.“An incredible ...

Travis King, the US soldier who crossed into North Korea, is in American custody, two US officials tell the AP

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:56:59 GMT

Travis King, the US soldier who crossed into North Korea, is in American custody, two US officials tell the AP WASHINGTON (AP) — Travis King, the US soldier who crossed into North Korea, is in American custody, two US officials tell the AP.Source

Morocco picked 2025 Africa Cup of Nations host, 2027 goes to neighbors Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:56:59 GMT

Morocco picked 2025 Africa Cup of Nations host, 2027 goes to neighbors Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania CAIRO, Egypt (AP) — Morocco being picked Wednesday to host soccer’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 was expected.It was a surprise, however, that the 2027 tournament was awarded to East African neighbors Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania when its bid rivals included soccer powers Senegal and Egypt.The Confederation of African Football’s president Patrice Motsepe announced the winners after votes by its executive committee.Morocco was heavily favored to get the 2025 AFCON, when the 2022 World Cup semifinalist is also currently part of an innovative Europe-led joint bid for the 2030 tournament with Spain and Portugal, and possibly Ukraine. Morocco’s bid opponents were a Benin-Nigeria co-host plan and Zambia after Algeria this week withdrew its candidacy from both the 2025 and ’27 contests. Guinea previously was picked for 2025 but was stripped of hosting by CAF.East Africa has not staged the biennial tournament since Ethiopia was the 1976 host.The delayed 2023 edition of the 24-team tournament...

Paychex: Fiscal Q1 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:56:59 GMT

Paychex: Fiscal Q1 Earnings Snapshot ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — Paychex Inc. (PAYX) on Wednesday reported fiscal first-quarter profit of $419.2 million.The Rochester, New York-based company said it had net income of $1.16 per share. Earnings, adjusted for pretax gains, were $1.14 per share.The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 10 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.12 per share.The payroll processor and human-resources services provider posted revenue of $1.29 billion in the period, which also beat Street forecasts. Eight analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.28 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on PAYX at https://www.zacks.com/ap/PAYXSource

More than yellow aspens: Which trees turn which colors in Colorado?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:56:59 GMT

More than yellow aspens: Which trees turn which colors in Colorado? DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado has some of the best places in the country for fall colors, and arborists expect it to be a more vibrant-than-average foliage season. You'll see shades of reds, purples, orange, yellow and gold, depending on the tree.Not all trees change color or even shed foliage, but for those that do, there is a science behind it. Ever wondered why all of the aspen trees shift from bright green to a bright golden yellow? These trees in Denver parks are ‘famous’ celebri-trees Colors change depending on several factors including tree species, health, weather, elevation and environmental factors.Chemistry of changing colorsLike any color palette, leaf colors depend on pigments. According to the Forest Service, there are three pigment types responsible for the autumn colors.Chlorophyll is what gives leaves their green color via photosynthesis. In other words, chlorophyll is what allows plants to use sunlight to produce sugars and foods. Its continual synthesizing throughou...