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The Starfish Project: Helping with housing — one family at a time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:16 GMT

Here’s a ray of sunshine in these incredibly troubled times, courtesy of Northfield, a small Minnesota town with a big heart — and home to the Hernandez family.Victor and Lorena Hernandez (whose names I’ve changed for privacy) came to the U.S. from Mexico 20 years ago as teenagers. They met, married and had three children, overcoming language, immigration and citizenship barriers along the way. For two decades, they have worked hard and paid taxes. Victor works in manufacturing and does landscaping on the side. Lorena cleans houses. They both provide janitorial services for the local parish.Their hard-earned money goes to support their immediate family and their extended family in Mexico and to pay rent for a rundown two-bedroom apartment. For them, the American dream of owning a home remained just that — a dream.That changed when their parish priest introduced them to Bob Thacker and Karen Cherewatuk, a couple who had long been concerned about the lack of affordable hou...

What 49ers’ Brock Purdy’s return to practice means for Bengals game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:16 GMT

SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy went through his normal routine as Thursday’s practice began, signaling that the 49ers’ quarterback is back on track to start Sunday against the Bengals, unless post-concussion symptoms resurface.Purdy still must get cleared from the NFL concussion protocol by an independent neurologist, otherwise, Sam Darnold would start in his place.The 49ers, who’ve lost two in a row after a 5-0 start, kept Purdy out of Wednesday’s official practice, but he was healthy enough to partake in an earlier walk-through session. Purdy reported effects from a potential concussion while on the flight home from Monday night’s 22-17 loss at Minnesota.#49ers Brock Purdy practicing, not fully cleared but progressing through NFL concussion protocol pic.twitter.com/BpRCvt8sZ9— Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 26, 2023Here is how the 49ers’ practice began at just after 1 p.m. Thursday: Purdy jogged over with Darnold and No. 3 quarterback Bran...

San Jose BART extension, beset by cost increases and timeline delays, gets $375M in state funding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:16 GMT

San Jose’s BART extension got a boost of $375 million in state funding from the Bay Area’s regional transportation agency this week, bringing a much needed infusion of cash to the future megaproject.The funding approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission on Wednesday bolsters the finances behind the BART extension — a six-mile route that will add four stations — which recently saw a major cost increase and timeline delay due to economic pressures from inflation. The project is estimated to carry a price tag of $12.2 billion and open in 2036, over double the original cost projection and a decade longer than initially expected.Wednesday’s injection of hundreds of millions of dollars comes from the state’s transportation infrastructure coffers, which has funneled billions toward a long list of transportation projects across California. In addition, $350 million was directed toward BART capacity improvements.Officials on Thursday said the m...

Israeli forces briefly enter Gaza to ‘prepare’ for invasion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:16 GMT

By Najib Jobain, Kareen Chehayeb and Amy Teibel | Associated PressRAFAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli troops and tanks briefly raided northern Gaza overnight, the military said Thursday, engaging with Hamas fighters and targeting anti-tank weapons in order to “prepare the battlefield” before an expected ground invasion.The third Israeli raid since the war began came after more than two weeks of devastating airstrikes that have left thousands dead, and more than 1 million displaced from their homes, in the small, densely-populated territory.Arab leaders made a joint plea Thursday for a ceasefire to end civilian suffering and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, where Israel has imposed a suffocating siege ever since Hamas’ rampage and hostage-taking in southern Israel ignited the war. Residents are running out of food, water and medicine, and U.N. workers have barely any fuel left to support relief missions.The rising death toll in Gaza is unprecedented in the decades-long Isr...

Fire Weather Watch issued for this weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:16 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for the Bay Area this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. The warning goes into effect at 5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 and lasts through 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29. First snow of fall blankets Lake Tahoe mountains During that time period, gusty offshore winds and dry conditions could bring increased fire danger, the NWS warned. The Fire Weather Watch is mainly in effect across inland areas, including parts of the Peninsula, East Bay, and throughout much of Sonoma and Napa counties.Graphic: Kyla GroganGusty northerly winds in some areas under the watch could reach 45 mph, the NWS said. Ridge tops and high terrain above 1,000 feet in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties, along with the Santa Cruz Mountains, eastern Santa Clara County and East Bay Hills will also see an increase in possible fire weather.Graphic: Kyla Grogan"Please stay up to date on the forecast and use extreme caution when recreating outdoors," the NWS...

Man found fatally shot in San Jose Wednesday night

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:16 GMT

(BCN) -- A man was found dead in a shooting in San Jose on Wednesday night, according to police.The shooting was reported at 9:13 p.m. in the 1600 block of Tully Road, where officers arrived and found the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was not immediately available.No arrest has been made and no suspect information has been released in connection with the shooting, which is San Jose's 29th homicide of 2023. Suspect in 1979 South Bay cold case homicide identified Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Varela or Detective Montoya of the San Jose Police Department's Homicide Unit at [email protected] or [email protected] or (408) 277-5283.Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

Golden Gate Canyon tree-cutting permits open Nov. 1

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:16 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- With 60 days until Christmas Day, organizations like Colorado Parks and Wildlife and starting their early winter programs, like the annual tree-cutting program.Interested Coloradans can apply online for a permit between Nov. 1-15 to venture into Golden Gate Canyon State Park and chop down their natural Christmas tree to bring home. Will this Halloween’s weather make history? Not every applicant receives a permit, and those who are chosen will be charged $35. Permits can only be purchased online at cpwshop.com under "big game" licenses — no phone calls or in-person sales will be granted. Only 250 households will be awarded a permit.“Not only is the tree cut a part of many Coloradans' holiday traditions, but it also helps the park mitigate fire danger and thin the forest in a sustainable and thoughtful way,” Golden Gate Canyon State Park Manager Todd Farrow said in a release.The tree cut is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the designated are...

Mac Jones’ struggles are familiar to Tua Tagovailoa as the ex-Alabama QBs prepare to meet

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:16 GMT

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been in a situation similar to Mac Jones’ current predicament.Miami made Tagovailoa the fifth overall pick in the 2020 draft after he led Alabama to a national title. But his NFL career started slowly, and he was heavily criticized during his first two seasons.Jones, another national championship winner for the Crimson Tide, is facing similar adversity in his third year as New England’s starter. He has shouldered blame for the Patriots’ 2-5 start, and New England faces another challenge when it visits Tagovailoa and the Dolphins (5-2) on Sunday.Tagovailoa’s solution was to tune out outside commentary as much as possible and focus on himself. Jones is following a similar script.“A lot of times, people will look at you maybe when you’re not all the way up, you’re kind of not doing too good, and they want to see how you respond,” Jones said. “That’s what I focus on — is the response. I stick to m...

Local Jewish, Muslim leaders address recent spike in hate crimes, unrest in Gaza amid Israel-Hamas war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:16 GMT

Local religious leaders expressed their deep concern with the recent spike of hate crimes in South Florida and across the country, as well as the ongoing violence in the Middle East.As Israel continues to fight Hamas, locally, both sides have been affected.Leaders with the American Jewish Committee addressed reporters in a news conference held Thursday.“The Jewish community is frightened, we are in mourning, we are anxious, and we are worried,” said Ted Deutch, the organization’s CEO and a former U.S. representative for the state of Florida.Jewish leaders took the opportunity to remind everyone just how tragic the surprise attack earlier this month has been.“We have to note that today, more than two weeks have elapsed since Hamas terrorists murdered, raped, tortured, kidnapped and maimed more than 5,000 Israeli children, mothers, grandparents and numerous others,” said Brian Siegel with the American Jewish Committee. “More than 200 women, children...

Police seek help from public in identifying man caught on camera shooting into Miramar business

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:16 GMT

Authorities in Miramar are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a shooting incident. According to Miramar Police, on Wednesday, around at 1:10 a.m., the suspect approached a business located on the 3500 block of S. SR7 (US 441) and discharged multiple rounds into the glass doors. Fortunately, the business was unoccupied during the incident, and no injuries were reported. The shooter was last seen walking south on SR 7. If you have any information on this crime, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.