Judge orders San Jose church to pay $1.2 million in COVID fines

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:34:29 GMT

Judge orders San Jose church to pay $1.2 million in COVID fines A Santa Clara County judge has ordered a San Jose church that flouted COVID public health rules at the height of the pandemic to pay $1.2 million in fines.The ruling by Superior Court Judge Evette D. Pennypacker is the latest turn in a yearslong legal battle between Calvary Chapel and Santa Clara County, which has been seeking millions of dollars in fines from the church after it flagrantly violated mask-wearing and social distancing rules.In her ruling, Pennypacker reduced the fine to a specific period between November 2020 and June 2021 when Calvary Chapel did not follow the county’s mask-wearing policy — and added 10 percent interest to the fines during that time period.“It’s the County’s job to take care of its residents and protect the public health,” said County Counsel James Williams in a statement about the ruling, which was signed on April 7. “The County’s response to the pandemic, including the Health Officer’s public health orders and enforcement a...

The California state parks among those everyone should visit in their lifetime

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:34:29 GMT

The California state parks among those everyone should visit in their lifetime SAN DIEGO -- With warmer weather finally here, it's time to get outside and there's no better place to do that than in California.The Golden State has the most parkland between national and state lands in the country, with 279 individual parks spanning hundreds of thousands of acres.From desert badlands and mountain peaks to coastal bluffs and lush forests, there are so many natural wonders to see. For anyone looking to narrow the options of places to visit this spring, Yelp has compiled a list of state parks that everyone should visit in their lifetime and five are right here in California: Anza-Borrego, Wilder Ranch, Montaña de Oro, Henry Cowell Redwoods and Pfeiffer Big Sur.The full list from Yelp, including parks from almost all the 50 states, can be found here.Anza-Borrego State Park in San DiegoAnza-Borrego State Park, right on the edge of eastern San Diego County, showcases the wonders of the California desert. Named after Spanish explorer, Juan Bautista de Anza, the par...

Police respond to BB gun shooting in Downtown Berkeley

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:34:29 GMT

Police respond to BB gun shooting in Downtown Berkeley (KRON) -- There was a police presence in Downtown Berkeley after a BB gun shooting Wednesday night, according to the Berkeley Police Department. BPD said the incident may have been road rage.According to police, the event began as the victim was attempting to park in the area of Shattuck Avenue and Kittridge Street. At about 8:15 p.m., the suspect was either driving past the victim or trying to park in the same spot, BPD said. 7-year-old boy reunited with bike stolen on his birthday: Livermore PD The suspect then shot the BB gun at the victim's vehicle through the driver's side window and the rear window on the driver's side. The victim suffered minor injuries from debris. The scene of the incident has been cleared.

Widow of slain KRON4 security guard wants Alameda County DA recalled

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:34:29 GMT

Widow of slain KRON4 security guard wants Alameda County DA recalled ALAMEDA COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) -- Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price continues to face criticism -- even after sitting down with KRON4 to address recent allegations against her. The wife of KRON4 security guard Kevin Nishita spoke out Wednesday against Price, saying she should be recalled. Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price addresses controversy since she took office Price did that interview with KRON4 to clear up any misconceptions about her office, but it made Virginia Nishita even more concerned.Two years since losing her husband Kevin to a shooting, Virginia Nishita says she wants Alameda County's new district attorney off the case."Kevin is the victim, we are the victims, we are the survivors of Kevin and he needs justice. And I have no confidence or trust in Pamela Price that will happen, so she needs to be recalled," Virginia says.Kevin Nishita was a security guard for KRON4 News. He was shot and killed while protecting one of our reporters in Oakland o...

SF International Film Festival set to kick off Thursday

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:34:29 GMT

SF International Film Festival set to kick off Thursday SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – It’s time to roll out the red carpet. The 66th San Francisco International Film Festival kicks off on Thursday. For 11 days, movie lovers from all around can come to the Bay Area for a first look at films and hear from the artists about their work.After searching through more than 5,000 submissions, 96 projects made the cut this year. A screening committee carefully selected this year’s programming specifically for this festival.“It’s just a process of getting together, looking at what resonates. We’re humans picking films for other humans… something that's very unique about a festival. We’re not an algorithm putting together what we think you would enjoy. We’re looking for stories that we find to be unique and engaging and challenging, perhaps ambiguous,” said Jessie Fairbanks, the festival’s director of programming.  ‘Death of Downtown’ study: San Francisco ranks last Of the 96 projects picked, 37 come from outside the United States. More than half of the ...

Sudan’s military warns of conflict after rival force deploys

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:34:29 GMT

Sudan’s military warns of conflict after rival force deploys KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Sudan’s military on Thursday warned of potential clashes with the country’s powerful paramilitary force, which it said deployed troops in the capital and other cities.Tensions between the military and the Rapid Support Forces have escalated in recent months, forcing a delay of the signing of an internationally-backed deal with political parties to restore the country’s democratic transition. In a statement, the military said the buildup of the RSF in Khartoum and elsewhere in the country has come without “the approval of, or coordination with” the armed forces’ leadership.It said the RSF measures “have stirred up panic and fear among people, exacerbated security risks and increased tensions between regular forces.”The military said it has attempted to “find peaceful solutions to such violations” to prevent an armed conflict with the RSF.The military’s statement came as the RSF deployed troops in the Northern Province on the border with Egypt. Local media...

LPGA LOTTE Championship Scores

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:34:29 GMT

LPGA LOTTE Championship Scores WednesdayAt Hoakalei Country ClubEwa Beach, Oahu, HawaiiPurse: $2 millionYardage: 6,303; Par: 72Partial First RoundSuspended for DarknessNatthakritta Vongtaveelap 32-34_66Frida Kinhult 33-33_66Yu Jin Sung 33-35_68Bailey Tardy 34-34_68Nasa Hataoka 34-34_68Hyo Joo Kim 36-32_68Yu Liu 34-35_69Haylee Harford 35-34_69Hinako Shibuno 36-33_69Lauren Hartlage 32-37_69Youmin Hwang 35-35_70Jing Yan 35-35_70Valery Plata 36-34_70Amanda Doherty 34-36_70Stephanie Kyriacou 34-36_70Jennifer Song 33-37_70Pernilla Lindberg 34-36_70Linnea Strom 36-34_70Kum-Kang Park 36-34_70Hae Ran Ryu 35-35_70Siyun Liu 36-35_71Caroline Inglis 36-35_71Georgia Hall 35-36_71Christina...

Brazil’s Lula in Shanghai on visit to boost ties with China

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:34:29 GMT

Brazil’s Lula in Shanghai on visit to boost ties with China BEIJING (AP) — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was in the Chinese financial hub of Shanghai on Thursday as he looks to boost ties with the South American giant’s biggest trade partner and win political support for attempts to mediate the conflict in Ukraine. Lula arrived late Wednesday and is due to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday before concluding his visit on Saturday. The Brazilian government says the sides are expected to sign at least 20 bilateral agreements during Lula’s trip, underscoring the improvement in relations following a rocky patch under predecessor Jair Bolsonaro. In Shanghai, Lula will also attend the official swearing in of close adviser and former Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff as head of the Chinese-backed New Development Bank. The institution posits itself as an alternative to the International Monetary Fund and World Bank that are controlled mainly by the U.S. and its Western allies. It is focused on th...

Vongtaveelap, Kinhult share LPGA Tour lead at windy Hoakalei

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:34:29 GMT

Vongtaveelap, Kinhult share LPGA Tour lead at windy Hoakalei HONOLULU (AP) — Natthakritta Vongtaveelap eagled the par-5 fifth and closed with a chip-in birdie in fading light on the par-3 ninth for a 6-under 66 and a share of the first-round lead Wednesday in the LPGA Tour’s LOTTE Championship.“Very surprised. Excited,” the 20-year-old Thai player said about the closing chip at sunset.She had a bogey-free round at windy Hoakalei Country Club to join fellow afternoon starter Frida Kinhult atop the leaderboard.“I play knock-down today many shots so the wind cannot make movement for my ball,” Vongtaveelap said.Vongtaveelap is making her second LPGA Tour start. In February, she won her first two events as pro on the Thai LPGA Tour, then was second behind Lilia Vu in the LPGA Thailand in her debut on the big tour.“I feel great, great for myself,” Vongtaveelap said. “Hope next three days I will play same as today.”Kinhult finished with a bogey on No. 9, the 23-year-old Swede’s lone blemish in the difficult conditions.“Just tried to stay patie...

LPGA LOTTE Championship Par Scores

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:34:29 GMT

LPGA LOTTE Championship Par Scores WednesdayAt Hoakalei Country ClubEwa Beach, Oahu, HawaiiPurse: $2 millionYardage: 6,303; Par: 72Partial First RoundSuspended for DarknessNatthakritta Vongtaveelap 32-34_66   -6Frida Kinhult 33-33_66   -6Yu Jin Sung 33-35_68   -4Bailey Tardy 34-34_68   -4Nasa Hataoka 34-34_68   -4Hyo Joo Kim 36-32_68   -4Yu Liu 34-35_69   -3Haylee Harford 35-34_69   -3Hinako Shibuno 36-33_69   -3Lauren Hartlage 32-37_69   -3Youmin Hwang 35-35_70   -2Jing Yan 35-35_70   -2Valery Plata 36-34_70   -2Amanda Doherty 34-36_70   -2Stephanie Kyriacou 34-36_70   -2Jennifer Song 33-37_70   -2Pernilla Lindberg 34-36_70   -2Linnea Strom 36-34_70   -2Kum-Kang Park 36-34_70   -2Hae Ran Ryu 35-35_70   -2Siyun Liu ...