Snowmelt thrills whitewater rafters, but California sheriffs closing some rivers to recreation for now

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:08:08 GMT

Snowmelt thrills whitewater rafters, but California sheriffs closing some rivers to recreation for now A river whose twists and turns have earned names like “Troublemaker,” “Satan’s Cesspool” and “Dead Man’s Drop” warrants respect — even when years of drought have tamed its rushing waters. This, of course, is not such a year.A winter that drenched the Golden State with torrential rains and blanketed its mountains with massive, now-melting snow has swelled California’s rivers like the American to levels not seen for years, even generations.That’s making for an epic, adrenalin-fueled season for whitewater thrill-seekers. Andres Moreno, whose 8th-grade class at Golden Valley Charter School near Folsom took a trip last week down the South Fork of the American River with American Whitewater Expeditions, had been rafting before, but that was nothing like it is now.“I thought I would get wet — but, like, not that wet!” Moreno, 14, said afterward. “I didn’t expect it to be so many, like, big waves.”Eigh...

California detects first case of COVID infection in wildlife

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:08:08 GMT

California detects first case of COVID infection in wildlife The COVID virus has been found in a deer in the Sierra Nevada, representing the first detection of the pathogen in California’s free-ranging wildlife.The discovery, revealed in a new analysis of a sample from a mule deer buck collected in 2021, has no immediate consequence for people. There is already much human-to-human transmission, and vaccines largely protect us.But the finding, announced by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, adds to the growing concern by scientists that animals could act as a hiding place for the virus, perhaps breeding dangerous variants that cause new outbreaks in people.“We expected that if we looked for this virus, we’d find it,” said Dr. Brandon Munk, senior wildlife veterinarian with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “But the bottom line is: We don’t yet know what any of it means.”Previous research has revealed that the virus can also lurk in cats, dogs and zoo animals, as well as deer in other sta...

Reinvention of downtown Sunnyvale moves ahead with three new projects

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:08:08 GMT

Reinvention of downtown Sunnyvale moves ahead with three new projects Archway at the lower levels of The Martin, a 12-story, 479-apartment residential tower at 250 South Taaffe Street in downtown Sunnyvale, concept. (Heller Manus)SUNNYVALE — A quest to reinvent downtown Sunnyvale is pushing ahead with major progress to construct and complete three new big projects that would add homes and offices to the city’s urban core.The projects will add hundreds of homes in a residential tower as well as two office buildings on a site bounded by South Taaffe Street, West Washington Avenue, South Murphy Avenue and West McKinley Avenue, the latest components of the Cityline neighborhood that is emerging next to Sunnyvale’s traditional downtown.Cityline is a yearslong mixed-use project that is being crafted on a site about three blocks from the Sunnyvale Caltrain station by an alliance of real estate firms Hunter Partners and Sares Regis Group of Northern California.Hunter Partners and Sares Regis executives are hoping the mixed-use elements ...

The Bay Area’s most spectacular superbloom might just be in Pacifica

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:08:08 GMT

The Bay Area’s most spectacular superbloom might just be in Pacifica If you want a spectacular wildflower experience in the Bay Area, you don’t have to travel far: Mori Point in Pacifica is exploding with golden blooms, with bonus views of the wild ocean beyond.Related ArticlesThings To Do | Miles-long Contra Costa trail to get safety improvements Things To Do | Cupertino Post Office renamed in honor of fallen local vet Things To Do | Mount Tam’s super-popular Steep Ravine Trail is finally reopen Things To Do | Argh! Bay Area Pirate Festival canceled Things To Do | Here’s everything you need to plan a road trip through the beautiful Southwest Ryan Jett snapped these fields of golden flowers on April 30 at sunset while exploring the park, which is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. (Check out his Instagram at ryan.jett.wild.) “The flowers are literally at Mori Point” by the coastline, he says, which is accessed via an easy trip on the...

Sale closed in Oakland: $2 million for a three-bedroom home

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:08:08 GMT

Sale closed in Oakland: $2 million for a three-bedroom home 5941 Colton Boulevard – Google Street ViewA 2,373-square-foot house built in 1965 has changed hands. The spacious property located in the 5900 block of Colton Boulevard in Oakland was sold on March 29, 2023. The $1,975,000 purchase price works out to $832 per square foot. The property features three bedrooms, three baths, a garage, and two parking spaces. The unit sits on a 5,200-square-foot lot.Additional houses that have recently been purchased close by include:A 1,800-square-foot home on the 5800 block of Colton Boulevard in Oakland sold in February 2023, for $1,500,000, a price per square foot of $833. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In March 2023, a 2,184-square-foot home on Gaspar Drive in Oakland sold for $1,500,000, a price per square foot of $687. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Colton Boulevard, Oakland, in September 2022, a 1,721-square-foot home was sold for $1,042,500, a price per square foot of $606. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

Two things the Warriors can do against Lakers in Game 4

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:08:08 GMT

Two things the Warriors can do against Lakers in Game 4 LOS ANGELES — This Warriors core has experienced just about every type of playoff scenario over the last decade.Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green have blown a 3-1 series lead and lost in seven. They’ve also swept series, and have flipped deficits into decisive victories. They’ve been both severely doubted and heavily favored.So, on the eve of Monday’s critical Game 4, it wasn’t surprising to see Curry so calm and cool with the Warriors trailing their Western Conference semifinal matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers two games to one.Curry was serene Sunday as he answered questions from a sunlit room at the Warriors’ hotel, offering some perspective on the Warriors’ 127-97 loss to the Lakers in Game 3 the night before when his team completely lost its poise.“You hate you have to keep learning that lesson at this stage of the season. But we did, and it’s about how we respond,” Curry said. “That’s been o...

California teacher who says she was fired for refusing to recognize students’ transgender identities files lawsuit

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:08:08 GMT

California teacher who says she was fired for refusing to recognize students’ transgender identities files lawsuit The Jurupa Unified School District violated a high school gym teacher’s Christian beliefs after firing her for refusing to follow policies recognizing students’ transgender identities, a new lawsuit alleges.Former Jurupa Valley High School teacher Jessica Tapia is suing the Jurupa Unified School District, alleging the district violated her Christian beliefs when it fired her for refusing to follow gender-affirming policies for students. (Courtesy of Advocates for Faith & Freedom) Jessica Tapia’s suit, filed Wednesday, May 3 in federal court, seeks damages for what her lawyers argue is the district’s violation of her First Amendment and civil rights. Tapia was fired in January, the lawsuit states.“People of faith should be allowed to maintain their personal beliefs without fear of losing their job,” Mariah Gondeiro, vice president and legal counsel for Advocates for Faith & Freedom, the Murrieta law firm handling Tapia’s case, said in a news release.Tapia “was not dismis...

Fairfax Co. police: Woman struck, killed by emergency vehicle called to help her

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:08:08 GMT

Fairfax Co. police: Woman struck, killed by emergency vehicle called to help her A woman is dead after being struck by a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue vehicle in Reston, Virginia, Monday morning.Those first responders were called to Laurel Glade Drive and Glade Drive just after 2:15 a.m. to help the woman, a spokesperson for Fairfax County police told WTOP.Police said that a caller reported the woman was in an “altered state” and walking in and out of the street. She was struck by the fire and rescue vehicle as they arrived.The first responders rendered aid to the woman and took her to the hospital where she died.The road was closed for around two hours while police investigated the pedestrian crash but it has since reopened, WTOP Traffic reported.Here’s a map of the area where police said the woman was struck: Source

Elegant but easy: French braised chicken will impress Mom

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:08:08 GMT

Elegant but easy: French braised chicken will impress Mom If you associate chicken with dry, bland childhood dinners, you probably were eating boneless, skinless breast. It does the job, but it’s inherently flavorless and easy to overcook.That’s why we often call for boneless, skin-on chicken thighs. Not only is darker meat juicier and more flavorful, its higher fat content makes it more forgiving in the pan. Combine that with an elegant but simple classic French preparation, and you won’t have to worry Mom is forcing a smile during dinner on Mother’s Day.In this recipe from our book “Tuesday Nights Mediterranean,” which features weeknight-friendly meals from the region, we take inspiration from artichauts à la barigoule. This classic Provençal braise combines fresh artichoke hearts with aromatic vegetables, herbs and white wine. In our version, we sear chicken thighs on the stovetop, then finish cooking them in the oven. Meanwhile, we used canned artichokes in a simplified barigoule with carrots, garlic and onion that serves as both a veg...

Tredegar: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:08:08 GMT

Tredegar: Q1 Earnings Snapshot RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Tredegar Corp. (TG) on Monday reported a loss of $1 million in its first quarter.On a per-share basis, the Richmond, Virginia-based company said it had a loss of 3 cents. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were 7 cents per share.The plastic films maker posted revenue of $191.1 million in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on TG at https://www.zacks.com/ap/TGSource