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San Jose church that paid $1.2 million in COVID fines is now suing Santa Clara County for unconstitutional surveillance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

A San Jose church ordered to pay $1.2 million in fines for defying public health mandates at the height of the pandemic is now suing Santa Clara County, accusing them of putting the non-denominational Christian church and its congregants under unconstitutional surveillance.The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in San Francisco by Calvary Chapel and its pastor Mike McClure, alleges the county “embarked on an invasive and warrantless geofencing operation to track residents.”“Our church believes in the rights and privacy of all our members,” McClure said in a statement about the lawsuit.Geofencing uses cell phone data to track its users’ movements. In late 2020 and early 2021, the county used third-party phone data to monitor worshipers inside the Hillsdale Avenue church, according to court documents filed last November. The county’s COVID-19 Business Compliance Unit also parked a car in a neighboring church’s lot on numerous occasions for sur...

YWCA lines up a big name in activism for this fall’s Inspire Luncheon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

The YWCA of Golden Gate/Silicon Valley never fails to line up a compelling speaker for its annual Inspire Luncheon, though some have a bit more name recognition than others. This year seems like it’ll be a popular one, as environmental activist Erin Brockovich will headline the Nov. 2 event at the Santa Clara Convention Center.Brockovich became a household name after Julia Roberts won an Oscar playing her in Steven Soderbergh’s 2000 movie “Erin Brockovich” about her fight against PG&E on behalf of a small town. Today, she’s president of her own research and consulting company and remains involved in environmental causes around the world.The YWCA Inspire Luncheon would regularly draw more than 1,000 people, with speakers including Gloria Steinem, Alfre Woodard, Janet Reno, Geena Davis and Anita Hill. And while numbers dipped a bit after two virtual years, when it came back in person from COVID-19, it would be a good bet that Brockovich draws a strong...

Rodeo man pleads to life sentence for torturing his daughter who died; stepmom accepts 6-year prison term

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

MARTINEZ — In a resolution to one of Contra Costa’s most horrifying criminal cases in recent memory, a Rodeo man and woman have accepted prison terms for prolonged abuse of their 11-year-old daughter, Annai Diaz, who died inside the couple’s home.Annai’s father, 33-year-old Rene Diaz, will serve a sentence of seven years to life after pleading no contest to torture, while the girl’s stepmom, 31-year-old Crystal Diaz, will serve a six-year prison term after pleading no contest to child abuse with great bodily injury. The couple entered their no contest pleas last week, and sentencing has been set for mid-September, court records show.Rene and Crystal Diaz had not only been charge with torture and mayhem, but also murder in the death of Annai. The Contra Costa County coroner initially ruled her death a homicide but later changed it to “undetermined.” The evidence of torture included third-degree burn marks on Annai that were allegedly caused b...

Kurtenbach: Trey Lance or Sam Darnold for 49ers backup QB? Kyle Shanahan says ‘why not both?’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

SANTA CLARA — The defining storyline of the 49ers’ preseason won’t be defined anytime soon.For weeks, the battle between Sam Darnold and Trey Lance to be the 49ers’ No. 2 quarterback has dominated the discourse around the team. Who will be Brock Purdy’s top backup — the former No. 3 overall pick the Niners selected in 2021, or the former No. 3 overall pick they signed as a free agent this past spring?Two preseason games have hinted that Darnold might be the man for the gig, but Lance hasn’t fully disqualified himself yet. Friday’s preseason finale was angling to become the final and most important showdown of this gripping conflict.Then Kyle Shanahan spoke on Tuesday.The 49ers’ coach poured cold, pragmatic water on top of this red-hot battle to sit on the bench when he suggested that both quarterbacks will be carried on the team’s roster this regular season.On top of that, he said that they could easily swap places week by week.Yes, th...

A's Rooker performs at Oakland Arena after crushing walk-off home run

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

(KRON) -- Oakland A's designated hitter Brent Rooker was centerstage at both the Oakland Coliseum and Oakland Arena Monday night. Rooker won the A's game against the Kansas City Royals with a walk-off home run in the ninth inning. After the game ended, he went next door to the Oakland Arena to perform on-stage with Zach Bryan. Steve Kerr buys stake in Spanish soccer team Donning his own jersey, the All-Star righty sang his heart out alongside the country music star."I don't even know what just happened. (Bryan) is the absolute man. Burned the building down as always," Rooker wrote on Instagram."Man hit a homer then came and belted with us," Bryan said. Rooker has enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, his first year with Oakland. Monday's walk-off was his 21st home run of the season, and he was selected to his first MLB All-Star Game. He hit another walk-off homer on May 12 against the Texas Rangers. In the All-Star Game, he laced a double to right field as fans chanted "Sell the Te...

Bay Area assemblymember injured during legislative softball game in Sacramento

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

(FOX40.COM) — A California legislator ended up in the hospital after getting injured during a softball game with his fellow lawmakers. The office of Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) confirmed that he suffered a dislocated hip during the game, which was held at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Remnants of Hurricane Hilary fan 500+ acre fire in Sacramento County Several Democratic and Republican legislators played in the annual softball scrimmage on Monday night, which pitted lawmakers from Northern California against lawmakers from Southern California. The annual game has been going on for 20 years, and this year's game raised funds for Sacramento's Mustard Seed School, which primarily educates children from unhoused families. Shops, eateries and museums: A guide to the Old Sacramento Waterfront "We battle it out in the Capitol most days, but tonight we're out at the softball field having some fun," said Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento). This year, som...

Store owner killed for Pride flag she flew in front of California business

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

CEDAR GLEN, Calif. (AP) — A dispute over an LGBTQ+ pride flag at a California clothing store spiraled into deadly violence this weekend when a man shot and killed the 66-year-old business owner right in front of her shop, authorities said.The man ran away from the store after the shooting Friday night but was later found and killed in a confrontation with officers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.The agency said Laura Ann Carleton was pronounced dead at Mag.Pi, the store she owned and operated in Cedar Glen. The small community in the San Bernadino Mountains is roughly 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles. Accused Facebook killer enters plea in San Mateo County court Before the shooting, the man “made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store,” sheriff's officials said.It was not immediately clear what happened when officers confronted the man, whose identity hadn't been released as of Sunday.Carleton, who pre...

'Hideous memories': Windsor man sentenced for sex crimes against family

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

(KRON) -- A Windsor man was sentenced to "24 years plus 750 years to life in prison" after he was convicted of sexual assault against minors, the Sonoma County District Attorney's office said. Matthew Moffat, 53, was proven guilty of 71 felony sex crimes against three young children in his family. “This defendant groomed and preyed upon these young children for years," said DA Carla Rodriguez. "They showed incredible bravery for not only disclosing the abuse, but also for having the strength to testify against him during the trial.” SJ man sentenced to 12 years for selling fentanyl-laced pills to Los Gatos High students The Santa Rosa Police Department began investigating Moffat in 2020 and uncovered multiple instances of sexual assault. According to the DA's office, evidence presented in court demonstrated that Moffat used his "position of authority and trust within the family" to carry out these crimes. Victims told the court, "Those hideous memories will haunt me forever,” and ...

Forward progress stopped in vegetation fire burning near Port Costa

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

(BCN) -- A vegetation fire near Port Costa in Contra Costa County was at 10 to 15 acres as of about 1:50 p.m. While initially, it was feared the fire could grow to 50 acres, forward progress on the blaze was halted as of 2:16 p.m. Fire officials said they have it boxed in with "retardant and roads," saying there are "abundant" resources on the scene. Person robbed, dragged by 2 armed suspects in Oakland: video Fire department officials said the fire is burning in steep terrain with difficult access. According to the fire monitoring site Watch Duty, the fire is a mile east of Port Costa Clay Products. Ground resources were accessing the fire via George Miller Trail and tankers are making drops. Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

Athletes to watch at world championships, Day 4

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A look at how 10 top athletes are faring at track and field world championships after Day 4:SHA’CARRI RICHARDSONWith her colorful hair, glitzy nails and, of course, fast times, Richardson stands out on the track. The 23-year-old from Dallas has the second-fastest 100-meter time in the world this season. Richardson will run the 100 and 200 at the worlds a year after missing the team. She won the 100 at the U.S. Olympic trials two years ago, but had the title stripped after she tested positive for marijuana. The 100 will be a fast field that includes reigning champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and her Jamaican teammate, Shericka Jackson, who has the fastest time in the world this season. RESULTS: Won the 100 meters in a championship-record time of 10.65 seconds. NEXT UP: 200 meters, Aug. 23-25; 4×100 relay, Aug. 25-26.MARILEIDY PAULINOThe 400 meters is wide open at the worlds with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone withdrawing from the event because of a minor...