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Letters: Our veterans and health-care staff deserve better

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:31:55 GMT

Our veterans and staff deserve betterI read your article of Sept. 10 (“Panel to probe veterans homes”), regarding the situations at the MDVA Domiciliaries and the Minneapolis Veterans Home (skilled nursing facility — SNF). It is with my great appreciation that these employees have spoken out regarding the toxic work environments at these facilities. As the former RN Nurse Educator of the Minneapolis Veterans Home, I too can attest to this work environment. It goes far beyond disgruntled employees.As nursing personnel, especially those of considerable expertise and longevity, exit the facilities, everyone should be questioning how this happens. Most of the public is aware of the severe shortage of nursing personnel and the difficulty in recruiting new staff. Additionally, with the exit of such staff, the work-load burden is shifted to those who remain, creating a vicious circle of overwork and burnout that leads to errors in care delivery, some minor, others with ma...

Possible criminal charges mean Marine Le Pen’s political career could be over

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:31:55 GMT

The French far right party now known as the National Rally has edged closer to power under Marine Le Pen, Emmanuel Macron’s opponent in the second round of the last two presidential elections. As like-minded parties make progress in several other European elections, her chances of making a breakthrough when Macron completes his time in office have appeared to be increasing. But could criminal charges in France end Le Pen’s dream of power? - asks Political Editor Nick Powell.The French Presidential election system, with a run-off between the two leading candidates, might have been designed to stop Marine Le Pen, as it did her father before her. It enables the mainstream parties to sink their differences and in an act of ‘republican solidarity’ prevent the victory of a candidate they see as a challenger to the democratic norms of the Fifth Republic.It’s worked until now but there’s always the danger of reaching a tipping-point, where the far-right’s electoral base has grown to an ext...

CHP unit involved in violent multi-vehicle crash on 101 Freeway 

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:31:55 GMT

A crash involving multiple vehicles, including a CHP patrol car, sent multiple people to the hospital early Sunday morning. According to reports from CHP, the collision occurred on the eastbound span of the 101 Freeway near the Hayvenhurst Avenue exit in Encino just after 12:40 a.m.The crash took place immediately after a CHP-initiated traffic stop for an unrelated incident, authorities said. A crash involving multiple vehicles, including a CHP patrol car, sent multiple people to the hospital on Sept. 24, 2023. (KeyNews)A crash involving multiple vehicles, including a CHP patrol car, sent multiple people to the hospital on Sept. 24, 2023. (KeyNews)A crash involving multiple vehicles, including a CHP patrol car, sent multiple people to the hospital on Sept. 24, 2023. (KeyNews)A crash involving multiple vehicles, including a CHP patrol car, sent multiple people to the hospital on Sept. 24, 2023. (KeyNews)CHP also confirmed reports that one of the drivers involved in the collision atte...

1 dead, 2 hurt after triple shooting outside home in Wilmington 

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:31:55 GMT

A late-night shooting claimed the life of one man and sent two other people to the hospital. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded to the 1000 block of Sanford Avenue in Wilmington around 11:45 p.m. Saturday night. Upon arrival, they found three victims – who were reportedly standing outside of a residence drinking when gunfire erupted – suffering from gunshot wounds. All three were transported to the local medical centers. One of the victims, a 50-year-old man, was pronounced deceased at the hospital after paramedics attempted CPR multiple times, police said.  Video shows SoCal deputy slamming girl on ground in violent brawl The two other victims, only identified as a 36-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, were taken to hospitals in critical and stable condition, respectively. Details on a suspect are limited, with the gunman only being identified as a Hispanic man. He fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction after the shooting occur...

Cupertino’s 10th Fall Bike Fest set for Sept. 30

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:31:55 GMT

Cupertino is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Fall Bike Fest on Sept. 30, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Civic Center Plaza.Festival highlights include a Bike Rodeo for young riders to practice traffic safety and bike handling skills in Safe Moves’ mini city and obstacle course and two chaperoned city-led bike rides. . Cupertino Transportation Manager David Stillman will lead a 2.5-mile Family Ride for cyclists of all ages and skill levels through the neighborhood and along the new Regnart Creek Trail to Wilson Park for a scavenger hunt and a chance to win raffle prizes. Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Chair Joel Wolf will lead experienced riders on a 9-mile tour of Cupertino’s parks and trails.To participate in the bike rodeo or a bike ride, cyclists will need to turn in a paper waiver at the registration table the day of the event. Waivers can be downloaded at https://www.cupertino.org/home/showpublisheddocument/33885Bike fest attendees can also get their rides and helmets...

Latest line: A good week for Gavin Newsom, a bad week for Sofia Navarro

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:31:55 GMT

Gavin NewsomCalifornia governor basks in a week of national attention for suing oil companies over climate change, speaking at the United Nations, meeting with Hillary Clinton, and doing long interviews with CNN and the New York Times.    Sofia NavarroInterim director of Oakland’s Economic and Workforce Development Department draws public outcry after her agency missed the deadline to apply for millions in state funds to combat retail theft — money other Bay Area cities received.   Jackie SpeierPeninsula leader who served 15 years in Congress before retiring this year announces a run for San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. Some will say she’s too old (73) but it’s a near certainty she’ll win back the seat she held in the 1980s. 

Parking tickets aren’t enforceable at this Bay Area mall. Confused shoppers are still paying

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:31:55 GMT

David Mourra rushed his kids to their seats at Bay Street Emeryville’s AMC Theatre earlier this spring, not wanting to miss the opening scenes of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” on the big screen.But running late to one of the East Bay’s most prominent shopping, restaurant, and entertainment hubs meant that Mourra, who was elected to the Emeryville City Council last year, didn’t have time to figure out the mall’s new, app-based pre-paid parking ticket system for the few thousand spaces onsite.That brief oversight turned into a $36 ticket he couldn’t dispute, because no one answered the ticket company’s phone line.“Out of curiosity, I called again to explain what I thought was a rather sympathetic situation — I don’t aspire to be any sort of scofflaw — but I got a voicemail box when I called at 11 a.m.,” Mourra said during an Emeryville City Council meeting in June. “I’m concerned that maybe (the parking app) Park Smart is not set up to provide the l...

At San Jose’s animal shelter, fewer and fewer cats are leaving alive. Why?

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:31:55 GMT

At first glance, nothing appears out of the ordinary at San Jose’s animal shelter.A steady stream of kittens comes through its doors, as they do every day. Dogs bark ferociously in their kennels. Rabbits sit peacefully next to leafy greens beneath the brightly lit atrium of the nearly 20-year-old city shelter.But a deeper look at the city-run San Jose Animal Care Center reveals a simmering crisis.Amid an explosion of needy animals, a culture of neglect and inadequate medical care for cats is rapidly enveloping the facility, a group of volunteers, veterinarians and rescue organizations told The Mercury News.The situation is complicated by a confluence of challenges exacerbated by the COVID pandemic, including staffing and funding issues, the reduction of spay and neuter services and a jump in veterinarian costs.Dogs look out from their cages at San Jose Animal Care Center on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in San Jose, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)A kitten is spoon-fed at San...

Shelter expansion is a ‘defining moment’ for domestic violence survivors in the East Bay

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:31:55 GMT

LIVERMORE — For Christine Dillman, executive director of Tri-Valley Haven, there’s nothing worse than telling someone who is trying to escape an abusive partner that the nonprofit’s shelter is full.During the coronavirus pandemic — which reduced capacity — and amid the survivor-led #MeToo movement, Dillman said the organization’s shelter for those fleeing domestic violence has often been full.“It’s so hard when somebody is calling — they’re a family in Pleasanton, and they’re fleeing and we have no space,” Dillman said in an interview. “Of course, we do everything we can. We work with other shelters, but that family doesn’t necessarily want to go to San Jose or Oakland or somewhere out of the area.”Now, Tri-Valley Haven, which is based in Livermore, is moving toward what Dillman described as a “defining moment” for domestic violence survivors in the East Bay. It plans by early next year to break ground on ...

They said it: GOP House Speaker vents on stalled spending talks

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:31:55 GMT

“It’s frustrating in the sense that I don’t understand why anybody votes against bringing the idea and having the debate. This is a whole new concept of individuals that just want to burn the whole place down. That doesn’t work.”— House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Bakersfield Republican, on GOP infighting over passing bills to keep the government funded and avert a partial shutdown next month, led by spending hardliners in his party. Talks are expected to resume Monday.