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Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor’s mystery “special advisor” raises legal concerns, experts say

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:27:32 GMT

Santa Clara resident and small business owner Kirk Vartan has been a special advisor to Mayor Lisa Gillmor for the last three years, but now the city says it was never aware of the appointment — and few records between the two exist, sparking concerns about transparency, ethics and even legal complications.In February 2020, Gillmor asked Vartan, who is the general manager at local pizza parlor A Slice of New York, to be her special advisor on small businesses and worker cooperative initiatives. Vartan had previously converted his business to a worker cooperative.In an email, Gillmor said he has provided her with “information and insight on what was happening at the local, state and national level.”“For me, Kirk is an expert resource in this field and helps me with the additional layer of support I need, when I need it, to help small businesses with employee ownership,” she said. “As so many small businesses struggle in our city, especially small f...

Cal introduces Mark Madsen as face to lead Bears men’s basketball out of darkness

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:27:32 GMT

Cal brought its band, chancellor, mascot, alumni and even the Stanford Axe onto the Haas Pavilion hardwood on Monday, all to welcome Mark Madsen as its men’s basketball coach.He really needed no introduction, not with his Bay Area roots and how he forcefully played some 25 years ago at rival Stanford.So Madsen, 47, seized on the pomp and circumstance, like an elbow-swinging rebound from his days on The Farm and in the NBA. Monday’s spotlight allowed him to start re-introducing the Cal basketball program, which bottomed out this past season with a 3-29 record.“I love my alma mater, I love where went to school, I love my experiences,” said Madsen, Stanford’s bruising leader from 1996-2000. “But my excitement is for Cal, to build this into a championship program.“… It’s not going to take us as long as everybody thinks.”Madsen oozed energy and optimism. Reflecting his defection from Stanford, he donned a navy suit with a blue-and-gold striped tie, thus fulfilling Cal’s unofficial rallyi...

Letters: Student access | Readjustment is sensible | 2nd Amendment | Enforce amendment | No rabbits | Not racist

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:27:32 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.UC scheme willhurt students’ accessA 2020 study conducted by the U.S. PIRG found that 63% of students across the country skip purchasing their textbooks in favor of more affordable means. The rising cost of textbooks has plagued the educational system for decades, and the Inclusive Access program being proposed to the University of California would strike another blow to students’ wallets — and more importantly, their right to choose.Inclusive Access is a system designed by textbook publishing companies that would charge a “materials fee” to students’ tuition, forcing them to pay for course materials. Traditionally, the choice of whether to purchase a textbook — and on what medium — has been up to the student.The solution is clear: We must reject the Inclusive Access model and instead take steps toward making their materials affordable. Making education accessible is a large task, but moves toward ...

Sale closed in San Ramon: $2.4 million for a four-bedroom home

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:27:32 GMT

2047 Trefoil Road – Google Street ViewA 3,159-square-foot house built in 2018 has changed hands. The spacious, recently built property located in the 2000 block of Trefoil Road in San Ramon was sold on March 9, 2023, for $2,370,000, or $750 per square foot. The property features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, an attached garage, and two parking spaces. It sits on a 5,935-square-foot lot.These nearby houses have also recently been sold:A 3,159-square-foot home on the 1100 block of Trumpet Vine Lane in San Ramon sold in October 2022, for $2,235,000, a price per square foot of $708. The home has 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.On Trumpet Vine Lane, San Ramon, in June 2022, a 3,159-square-foot home was sold for $2,525,000, a price per square foot of $799. The home has 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.In January 2023, a 3,159-square-foot home on Zinnia Court in San Ramon sold for $2,380,000, a price per square foot of $753. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

SF drag legend Heklina found dead in London

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:27:32 GMT

(KRON) -- Longtime San Francisco drag performer Heklina has reportedly died in London, according to a social media post from fellow SF drag mainstay, Peaches Christ (aka Joshua Grannell). Heklina and Grannell were apparently in London together starring in "Mommie Queerest," which is a described as a "Wild drag parody" of the 1981 film, "Mommie Dearest." These 2 Bay Area cities are the healthiest in America "This morning, in London, England I went to collect my dear friend Heklina, who is costarring with me in a Mommie Queerest show here, and found her dead," wrote Grannell, posting from the Peaches Christ Facebook page. "I do not know her cause of death yet. I know this is shocking news and I am beyond stunned.""Heklina is not just my best friend, but a beloved icon of our community," Grannell wrote. "I am a mess." SF drag legend Heklina on 'LIVE! in the Bay' Heklina, a mainstay in the local drag community, was a frequent guest on KRON4's "Live In the Bay," and appeared on the s...

Barricaded subject in Parkmerced, police on scene

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:27:32 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Police are on the scene of a barricaded subject in San Francisco's Parkmerced neighborhood just south of San Francisco State University, according to the San Francisco Police Department. Police association files claim against City of Oakland after data breach Police arrived on the scene near Rivas Avenue and Gonzalez Drive around 1:38 p.m. The Hostage Negotiation Team and Tactical Unit are both on scene attempting to contact the subject for a peaceful resolution, police said. Community members are asked to avoid the area at this time. Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to contact SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411.This is a developing story. Please stick with KRON for updates.

Wiggins reportedly set to rejoin Warriors this week

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:27:32 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins is expected to rejoin the team this week after an extended absence, according to multiple reports. Wiggins has not played for the Warriors since Feb. 13 due to what the team called a personal matter.ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Wiggins is expected to be back early this week. The Warriors have three games remaining in the regular season: Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Friday in Sacramento against the Kings, and Sunday afternoon hosting the Portland Trail Blazers. It is unclear if, or how much, Wiggins will play in those games. Rendon suspended 5 games for altercation with A’s fan The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Wiggins was away from the team due to a "serious medical situation" involving his father. He plans to attend the game Tuesday, per Charania. Wiggins was traded to the Warriors from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2020. He made his first NBA All-Star Game last season and establi...

Villar homers twice, Giants hit 7 in romp over White Sox

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:27:32 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The San Francisco Giants were looking for a spark from their offense. And did they ever get one.David Villar hit two of San Francisco’s seven home runs, Anthony DeSclafani tossed three-hit ball over six scoreless innings and the Giants pounded the Chicago White Sox 12-3 on Monday afternoon.“I think it was just continuing to get our ‘A’ swings off,” Villar said. “The important thing for us is continuing to get those really good swings off and not being hesitant about making them. If we’re going to make a swing, let’s make it with intent. I think that really showed today, one through nine.”Villar hit a solo homer in the fifth and his first career grand slam in the ninth. Joc Pederson, Michael Conforto, Thairo Estrada, Mike Yastrzemski and Bryce Johnson also went deep for San Francisco, which hit its most home runs since July 2, 2002, at Colorado. The team record is eight at Milwaukee on April 30, 1961, when Willie Mays hit four.The Giants broke out in a big ...

Some CSX conductors to be first train crews with sick time

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:27:32 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A group of CSX conductors will soon become the first train crew employees at one of the major U.S. freight railroads to have paid sick time.CSX said Monday that it had reached an agreement to give about 2,400 members of a union that represents some of its conductors five paid sick days and allow them to convert two personal leave days to sick days, for a total of seven. The deal is a bit more generous than the agreements CSX, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have announced since February. All the previous deals provided four sick days and allowed workers to convert three leave days into sick time. Those deals were with maintenance workers, mechanics and other rail workers but did not include train crews.The lack of paid sick time in the industry was one of the key concerns that drove many rail workers to vote down a contract with the railroads last fall even though it included 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses. Ultimately, Congress forced rail workers to accept t...

LIV Golf Money Leaders

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:27:32 GMT

Player year to date money rankings through LIV Golf Orlando.Trn        MoneyCharles Howell III   3   $4,990,000Brooks Koepka   3   $4,382,500Danny Lee   3   $4,325,000Peter Uihlein   3   $3,110,000Sebastian Munoz   3   $2,898,750Carlos Ortiz   3   $2,555,416Brendan Steele   3   $2,479,583Branden Grace   3   $2,107,917Louis Oosthuizen   3   $1,854,583Patrick Reed   3   $1,658,750Dean Burmester   3   $1,650,000Matthew Wolff   3   $1,645,417Mito Pereira   3   $1,612,500Paul Casey   3   $1,362,500Cameron Smith   3   $1,137,500Dustin Johnson   3   $1,072,833Kevin Na   3   $1,031,250Pat Perez   3     $980,750Talor Gooch   3     $937,000Sergio Garcia   3     $911,250Matt Jones   3     $907,500Cameron Tringale   3     $902,000Sam Horsfield   3     $862,083M...