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Baby Phoenix’s father pleads not guilty over her ‘horrific’ fentanyl death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:14 GMT

San Jose man pleaded not guilty Friday to felony child endangerment and misdemeanor drug possession charges over the fentanyl overdose of his 3-month-old daughter Phoenix Castro, whose death led to reforms and calls for an overhaul of the Santa Clara County agency tasked with protecting children.In court filings submitted late last month, prosecutors upped the ante on David Castro, adding sentencing enhancements for great bodily harm, which could extend his possible sentence to a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted on all counts.Police released a mugshot of David Anthony Castro, who had a history of drug problems and arrests before the county’s Department of Family and Children’s Services sent him home in February with his newborn baby, Phoenix. When she died three months later of a fentanyl overdose, prosecutors charged him with felony child endangerment. (San Jose Police Department) Castro’s attorney, Mishya Singh, questioned why her client’s sentence was e...

Former Bay Area high school stars to play for Michigan, Washington in national title game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:14 GMT

When Bay Area high school football fans tune into the college football national championship game between Washington and Michigan on Monday night, they’ll see some familiar faces on both teams.Washington lists 11 players from the Bay Area News Group’s coverage area, and Michigan has three.De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh, having coached a player on both teams, won’t be picking sides.“I’m rooting for a good game,” Alumbaugh said while laughing during a conversation with the Bay Area News Group this week.Redshirt senior Tuli Letuligasenoa has been an integral part of Washington’s defensive line rotation for years since graduating from the Concord powerhouse in 2018.“Tuli is 24 years old now, man, and I coached him when he was 16,” Alumbaugh said. “When he takes off his helmet, he looks like a man. I remember when he was 14, so it’s just surreal.”De La Salle football defensive tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa, left, signs his college letter of intent with Washington at De La Salle Hig...

SF Giants add former Cy Young winner in major trade with Mariners

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:14 GMT

The Giants didn’t land either of the two biggest free agents available this offseason, but are now trying to course-correct via trade.San Francisco has agreed to trade outfielder Mitch Haniger and starter Anthony DeSclafani to Seattle for Robbie Ray. Ray, a left-handed starter, won the 2021 American League Cy Young Award.The trade provides the Giants with an extra roster spot and sheds two big salary figures while giving them the chance at a high-upside arm in 2024.The 32-year-old Ray is coming off Tommy John surgery and won’t pitch in 2024 until after the All-Star break. He’s owed $73 million over the last three years of his contract, though he’ll have the chance to opt out after 2024.Ray made one start last year before his injury. In 2022, his last full season, he posted a 3.71 ERA across 189 innings.Haniger was the Giants’ biggest free agent acquisition last year, when the Giants inked him to a three-year, $43.5 million deal. Haniger’s long-doc...

Hazardous materials leak in Fremont prompts shelter-in-place

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:14 GMT

The Fremont Fire Department asked people to shelter in place late Friday morning while crews respond to a hazardous material leak in the area of Fremont Boulevard and Ice House Terrace.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Driver hospitalized after vehicle is hit by Caltrain in Burlingame Crime and Public Safety | Disaster avoided at Rose Parade after driver smashes through barrier Crime and Public Safety | One person died from fireworks on San Francisco’s Treasure Island shortly after the New Year Crime and Public Safety | BART train derails near Orinda, injuring nine, forcing station closures and delays Crime and Public Safety | Tesla Cybertruck involved in Bay Area collision The Fire Department issued an alert shortly after 11:45 a.m. but did not specify what hazardous material had leaked.The area asked to shelter in place until around 1 p.m. is west of Fremont Boulevard, north of South Grim...

NRA chief Wayne LaPierre resigns before civil trial begins

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:14 GMT

By Michel R. Sisak | Associated PressNEW YORK — The longtime head of the National Rifle Association said Friday he is resigning, just days before the start of a civil trial over his spending of millions of dollars’ worth of travel, security and other perks at the powerful gun rights organization’s expense.Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president and chief executive officer, said his departure is effective Jan. 31. The trial in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against him, the NRA and others who have served as organization executives is scheduled to start on Monday. LaPierre and ex-NRA President Oliver North are among the witnesses expected to testify.LaPierre, 74, has led the NRA ‘s day-to-day operations since 1991, acting as the face and vehement voice of its gun rights agenda. He once warned of “jack-booted government thugs” seizing guns, called for armed guards in every school after a spate of shootings, and condemned foes b...

Oakland city councilmember calls for city to declare state of emergency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:14 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) -- Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo is calling for the City of Oakland to declare a state of emergency in the face of rising, and often violent, street crime."Right now, there's a very clear demand from the neighbors, the neighborhood, we need to declare a state of emergency here in the City of Oakland," Gallo said. "The bottom line is we need more police presence in the streets, not only on our sidewalk streets, but also to protect our schools."Gallo has called for a multi-agency response to street crime in Oakland, where there has been a year-over-year increase in violent crimes, aggravated assault, robbery, commercial and residential burglaries, and car thefts. Masked suspects in Hercules follow woman home from bank and rob her "Sadly enough, that's the time we're living in," Gallo added. "But in reality, we do need to declare a state of emergency and my city attorney stated very clearly in writing that the one that can declare is the city administra...

Snowiest storm of the winter forecast for Sierra Nevada mountains

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:14 GMT

(KRON) -- After a slow start for Northern California's winter snow season, this weekend's forecast looks promising for skiers and snowboarders ready to hit the slopes. A chilly storm will blanket the Sierra Nevada mountains with fresh powder Saturday. Ski resorts at elevations between 2,000-3,000 feet will receive much-needed snow as temperatures drop to as low as 15 degrees. KRON4 Meteorologist John Shrable said, "Snow will be heavy in the Sierra with snow-level falling as low as 2,000 feet, the lowest of the season so far." Shrable said the storm will not bring heavy rain to the Bay Area, but it will be a "big snow-maker" up in Northern California's mountains this weekend. "Around 1-2 feet of snowfall once you get to those highest elevations. That's going to be making for some great skiing Sunday when things calm down," Shrable said. The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for the northern Sierra Nevada beginning at 4 a.m. Saturday. On Saturday morning, breezy a...

A magnitude 4.2 earthquake shakes a wide area of Southern California, no injuries reported

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:14 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A light but widely felt earthquake shook Southern California on Friday. There were no immediate reports of damage to buildings, other infrastructure or injuries.The U.S. Geological Survey said the 10:55 a.m. quake, after several revisions, was a magnitude 4.2 and was centered about a mile (1 kilometer) northwest of Lytle Creek, in the San Gabriel Mountains about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles. The depth was put at about 5.5 miles (8.8 kilometers).A quake of such magnitude is typically not strong enough to cause significant damage. Michael Guardado, who works at the front desk of the San Bernardino National Forest’s Lytle Creek Ranger Station, said the “building shook hard.”Officials were working to determine the earthquake’s impact on the area and Guardado said he had heard that “a lot of rocks” had fallen onto Lytle Creek Road.Cari Torguson, a bartender at Melody’s Place in Lytle Creek, said she felt “a hard boom and a shake” from the...

Aaron Rodgers voted Jets’ most inspirational player by teammates. QB played just 4 snaps this season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:14 GMT

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers’ first season with the New York Jets lasted only four snaps. His impact was felt for far longer.The 40-year-old quarterback was voted by his teammates the winner of the Jets’ Dennis Byrd Most Inspirational award Friday for his continued leadership during his rehabilitation from a torn left Achilles tendon that ultimately ended his season.“It’s just the effect that he’s had on this locker room in such a short time is why I think you see him win that award and all the guys here voted for him,” wide receiver Garrett Wilson said. “It says a lot about him and how he’s approached becoming a Jet and being here with us, whether he’s on the field or not.”Rodgers was hurt during the season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 11, but immediately focused on trying to stage an improbable comeback from an injury that usually takes players anywhere from six to nine months to fully recover.The four-time NFL MVP reportedly had a...

Data Doctors: Tips for buying used smartphones

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:14 GMT

Q: I’m looking to buy a lower-cost smartphone. What are the differences between refurbished and used smartphones?A: The yearly improvement in smartphone technology leads many people to get rid of perfectly good smartphones in pursuit of owning the “latest and greatest” technology.This trend has led to a thriving used smartphone market that is estimated to have over 75 million units shipped in 2023.If you don’t need to own the latest and greatest — you can save a lot of money buying older generations that were “top of the line” just a few years ago.What you buy and where you buy can be the difference between a great deal and a total nightmare.Refurbished vs. UsedWhen you go shopping for a used phone, you’ll generally see these two options and there are meaningful differences.Refurbished smartphones, especially directly from the manufacturer, tend to be very close to new condition and come with a warranty of some sort.A properly refurbished smartphone wil...