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Big top comes to Hall of Flowers at this year’s Sonoma County Fair
The Hall of Flowers has been transformed into a fanciful and fragrant Cirque des Fleurs for the Sonoma County Fair opening on Thursday. Visitors will behold a high-diving hippo, a 30 foot tall two-headed giraffe ringmaster and a tightrope cycling clown set amid a riot of colorful flowers tightly packed into eight professionally designed display gardens. The “Greatest Fair on Earth” theme this ...
Opposition mobilizes against recalls of Oakland mayor, DA
Local progressive organizations held a press event in Oakland on Friday to oppose the recall of Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. Few allies have publicly shown their support for embattled Mayor Thao since the FBI raid, but the groups on said they still believe in Thao as she fights for her political career."Sheng is the mayor we need now," said Pamela Drake of the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club."The problem with Oakland didn't just start with this mayor, she's very new, very new. This problem has been going on for 20, 30 years," said Oakland native...
A casino family amassed millions in San Bruno. Now, they’re in a bitter civil war
Dennis Sammut knew he was about to die. A deadly pancreatic cancer was eating at the 76-year-old’s gut, and it was time to prepare the family business for his death. This was no small task. Sammut, the no-nonsense grandson of Maltese immigrants, was the third-generation owner of Artichoke Joe’s Casino, a 103-year-old San Bruno institution he grew into one of the Bay Area city’s largest employers — and biggest cash cows.
Newsom urges Oakland PD to ease restrictions on police chases
Governor Gavin Newsom is urging Oakland leaders to expand their current police pursuit policy. In a letter, Governor Newsom pointed out that their limited policy is an outlier among California law enforcement agencies. The Oakland Police Department policy prevents officers from pursuing suspects at a high speed, except in incidents where the suspect is known to have committed a violent crime or if there's probable cause the person has a gun. City councilmember Noel Gallo says that policy resulted in people getting away with thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from the Walgreens on Foothill Boulevard. "Sadly enough...
Kix Brooks, other stars entertain crowd at 113th Monte Rio Variety Show
West Sonoma County’s Monte Rio Variety Show was a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll Thursday evening, as emcee country music star Kix Brooks led a star-studded lineup in the 113th iteration of the show. More than 1,900 people packed their lawn chairs into the Monte Rio Amphitheater and enthusiastically watched performers including folk star Livingston Taylor (brother of James ...
Politics roundup: a GrowSF for Oakland, sleepy races heat up, more youth vote delay
The Nov. 5 election is 133 days away, but Oakland is already bursting with political activity. There are the recall campaigns. There are all the groups spending big on voter education and advocacy. And there are the kids, who may not be able to vote in the upcoming school board elections after all. Let’s take a quick tour around the city’s political scene.
Napa judge denies resentencing request from Kayleigh Slusher's killers
(KRON) — Three-year-old Kayleigh Slusher was murdered by her mother and her mother’s boyfriend in 2014. This week, hearings were held for the Napa girl’s convicted killers because they requested for their prison sentences to be reduced under a California law, SB 1437. Napa County Superior Court Judge Francisca Tisher presided over the hearings and […]
Week in Review: The Fight to Keep Farming in Sonoma & Increasing Citricola Scale Challenges
Sonoma County farmers are facing some significant challenges with proposed local ballot Measure J seeking to ban operations that can be classified as concentrated animal feeding operations. There have been increasing reports of significant numbers of citricola scale in the San Joaquin Valley. A coalition of more than 500 organizations is calling for farm bill finalization by the end of the year. According to the latest Monterey County Crop Report, adverse weather and flooding took a toll on crop values last year. Stay up to date with the latest agricultural issues by subscribing to the weekly newsletter.
Army veteran and Santa Rosa attorney Joe Piasta remembered as man of deep faith
Joe Piasta, a noted Santa Rosa attorney, decorated Army veteran and pillar of the local Catholic community, died at his home on July 19, three years after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. He was 73. Piasta spent decades practicing law in Sonoma County, become a partner at Shapiro, Galvin, Shapiro, Piasta & Moran and litigation partner at O’Brien, Watters, Davis & Piasta. He opened Law ...
Bay Point - Concord fire prompts 'leave immediately' evacuation order
CONCORD, Calif. - An immediate evacuation order was issued on Friday afternoon for a fast-moving vegetation fire between the cities of Concord and Bay Point. The fire, north of State Highway 4 off of Evora Road at Nichols Road, was first reported before 3 p.m. The Point Fire has grown...
Mission barbershop murder suspect to stand trial
Judge Christine Van Aken ruled today after a two-day preliminary hearing that Alexander Martinez, 30, accused of shooting and killing Alberto Vargas Quero, 23, outside a Mission barbershop in April, will stand trial for murder. Martinez has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail in San Bruno. In...
City of Oakland Launches Summer Event Series to Drive Downtown Engagement
Oakland, CA – The City of Oakland, in partnership with the Downtown Oakland Association, is set to unveil an exciting lineup of summer events and activities in Downtown Oakland. Designed to celebrate local culture, promote wellness, and support businesses, this series aims to rejuvenate Downtown by encouraging Downtown residents and workers to come outside, build community and participate in fun free activities. Full event schedule: www.oaklandcentral.com/events-2/ The community is invited to join Mayor Sheng Thao, City leaders and downtown employees and small businesses for the launch event on Wednesday, July 31, 12-1pm at Frank Ogawa Plaza. The Downtown Summer Programming series features a variety of engaging events across Uptown and Downtown Oakland, including live music, fitness classes, and special promotions at local businesses.
Sharmell Mitchell, whose brother was killed by Vallejo police, dies fleeing gunfire
Sharmell Mitchell, the oldest sister of Willie McCoy, died last week as the result of a collision that occurred as she fled a shooting in central Vallejo. Officers responded to the intersection of Tennessee Street and Vervais Avenue at about 12:36 p.m. last Tuesday following reported gunshots, police said. When officers arrived, they found a three-vehicle crash involving a Mercedes-Benz ML350, an Isuzu Trooper, and a Kia Soul.
UC Berkeley official leaves, cancels negotiations concerning student housing rent hikes
(KRON) - One of University of California, Berkeley's student housing complexes has been enduring a game of ping-pong between its landlords and tenants regarding recent rent hikes and the alleged violation of some residents' union contracts. After allegedly "abruptly leaving" the Zoom conference call for negotiations, University Village's Associate Vice Chancellor canceled the meeting. Now, […]
Person charged with firebombing UC Berkeley police car pleads not guilty
Casey R. Goonan, the Pleasant Hill resident suspected in a series of arsons at UC Berkeley, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Goonan, 34, was initially charged with a single count of using fire or explosives to damage the property of an institution receiving federal aid. A federal grand jury has since returned an indictment against Goonan adding one count each of possession of an unregistered firearm and using fire or explosives to damage property used in, or affecting, interstate commerce, court records show.
Local with Lisa | 4th of July Parade in Piedmont
Moonlighting as a churro vendor for our city’s iconic event, I met and chatted up all the happy folks along the way. Insights, stories and interviews about homeownership and living in the East Bay. From a Piedmont native, Emmy award-winning television journalist-turned-home matchmaker, part-time radio anchor, UCLA graduate, wife...
Notes and Quotes: “Keep the energy going into this weekend”
After an early lead and dominant performance from the Boys in Glory Red, Republic FC secured three points to move up to the second spot in the Western Conference table with its 5-2 victory over Oakland. The derby match was the club’s highest-scoring game of the season and the biggest victory by either side in the all-time head-to-head series.
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