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Bay Area Outdoors: Tarantulas, hiking, rock climbing and other free Mount Diablo events for 2024

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:49:00 GMT

The East Bay’s iconic, tarantula-infested (in a fun way) Mount Diablo has released its schedule of free activities for 2024, and it’s packed with activities from mountain biking to guided hikes to spider tours to open-air painting. There is even the chance to visit unique areas of the park usually blocked to the public.All these things come courtesy of the nonprofit group Save Mount Diablo, which runs a “Discover Diablo” outings program each year. It’s sponsored by the Martinez Refining Company that, ahem, was officially inspected in December for increased flaring incidents and hazardous spills. Nevertheless, these activities promise tons of healthy fun for explorers of all ages, capabilities and interests.Many of the 36 outdoor events require an RSVP, so get out the calendar and start marking off dates. They’re listed a month ahead of time on Eventbrite at eventbrite.com/o/discover-diablo-11942856866.Visitors explore the Summit Visitor Center at ...

Report: Rams will sit Matthew Stafford, start Carson Wentz vs. 49ers

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:49:00 GMT

The Los Angeles Rams will sit starting quarterback Matthew Stafford against the 49ers in favor of backup Carson Wentz.The Rams, 9-7, have already clinched either the No. 6 or No. 7 playoff berth so coach Sean McVay, according to the NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo Wednesday, has opted to protect his starting quarterback for the wild card.Whether the Rams are No. 6 or No. 7, it’s conceivable that with a win in the wild card round their next opponent would be the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Jan. 20 or 21.Wentz signed with the Rams Nov. 12 and has taken just three offensive snaps and has not thrown a pass.A former No. 2 overall pick by Philadelphia, Wentz has played for the Eagles, Indianapolis and Washington with a career record of 46-45-1 as a starter.Wentz came off the bench in a 37-20 loss to the 49ers last season in place of starter Taylor Heinecke and completed 12 of 16 passes for a 123 yards and a touchdown. In 2021, Wentz started on a rainy night at Levi’s St...

San Jose-based Roku launches first high-end TVs in search of revenue growth

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:49:00 GMT

By Mark Gurman | BloombergRoku Inc., the maker of TV streaming boxes and software, is debuting its first high-end televisions in a bid to continue sales momentum for the company’s devices.In the spring, Roku will roll out 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch Pro Series TVs that will cost consumers as much as $1,500. The new televisions put Roku in competition with Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc., which offer several models in that price range. It’s a step up from the company’s current TVs — the Select and Plus — which top out at $999.Roku announced the new models on Wednesday ahead of the CES technology conference scheduled for next week in Las Vegas.The new TVs include a thinner design with a flat back for mounting on walls, improved picture quality and better audio for cinematic sound, the San Jose, California-based company said in a statement. Roku also said it would expand retail availability of its less expensive TVs, which are already sold at some stores such as Best B...

More than 100 dead in attack on event honoring Iranian general

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:49:00 GMT

By Jon Gambrell | Associated PressDUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Two bombs exploded and killed at least 103 people Wednesday at a commemoration for a prominent Iranian general slain by the U.S. in a 2020 drone strike, Iranian officials said, as the Middle East remains on edge over Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.No one immediately claimed responsibility for what appeared to be the deadliest militant attack to target Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran’s leaders vowed to punish those responsible for the blasts, which wounded at least 211 people.The blasts minutes apart shook the city of Kerman, about 820 kilometers (510 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran, and sprayed shrapnel into a screaming crowd fleeing the first explosion.The gathering marked the fourth anniversary of the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force, in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq. The explosions occurred near his grave site as long lines ...

Whopping 15 49ers finish atop Pro Bowl fan ballots; official honors unveiled today

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:49:00 GMT

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers’ talent pool and popularity sure has changed since coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch inherited a roster that had no Pro Bowlers seven seasons ago.At 5 p.m. today, a slew of 49ers players will draw that all-star designation, perhaps their most since 2012, when 10 bypassed their Pro Bowl nod to play in the Super Bowl.An astonishing 15 49ers finished first in Pro Bowl votes at their respective NFC positions in fans’ online ballots, which counts for just a third of the selection process, as players and coaches also have their say.Brock Purdy, who stands to become the 49ers’ first Pro Bowl quarterback since Jeff Garcia in 2002, led all players in fan balloting with 451,864 votes, according to the NFL. Teammate Christian McCaffrey placed second (429,993) ahead of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (414,502), 49ers tight end George Kittle (373,750) and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (327,263).Of course, as the NFC’s No....

Homicides soar in Oakland, vanish in East Palo Alto

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:49:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A San Francisco Bay Area city that was once known as the "murder capital" of the United States reached a remarkable milestone in 2023. For the first time in the city's history, East Palo Alto had zero homicides last year.An opposite crime trend plagued Oakland neighborhoods throughout 2023. One-hundred-twenty-six people were slain in Oakland, including a police officer who was gunned down in the line of duty two days before New Year's Eve.The Bay's two most populated cities, San Francisco and San Jose, had 53 and 36 homicides, respectively.2023 HomicidesOakland - 126San Francisco - 53San Jose - 36East Palo Alto - 0 East Palo Alto city leaders weighed in on possible reasons why public safety has strengthened. "This is a direct result from astute decision-making," East Palo Alto Mayor Antonio Lopez said. "In 2023, the Council voted to increase police pay and budget after the City endured significant staff turnover. I am grateful to the leadership of City Manage...

BART service recovering after disabled train between Concord, North Concord stations

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:49:00 GMT

(BCN) -- BART service was recovering in the East Bay on Wednesday morning after major delays were caused by a disabled train between the Concord and North Concord stations. The problem was initially reported around 8 a.m. and affected trains in both directions through the area, BART spokesperson Jim Allison said. 17-year-old wearing ankle monitor arrested for violent robbery of 12-year-old Passengers had to be taken off the disabled train and taken to Concord, according to BART. As of about 10 a.m., service was recovering with residual delays, Allison said.Copyright © 2024 Bay City News, Inc.

Alameda firefighters contain blaze at Peet's Coffee warehouse

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:49:00 GMT

(BCN) -- An early morning fire damaged some equipment at a Peet's Coffee warehouse in Alameda Wednesday but no injuries were reported, according to the Alameda Fire Department.Crews first responded to a call about the fire in the 2000 block of Harbor Bay Parkway on Bay Farm Island at about 5:50 a.m. and were able to extinguish the blaze and clear the scene by about 8:20 a.m., said department spokesperson Kevin Tidwell."The fire was contained to a hopper system on the exterior of the building. It didn't spread throughout the remainder of the structure," Tidwell said. Caltrain strikes vehicle near Burlingame crossing, 1 hospitalized Tidwell said the department has previously responded to similar fires at the same location.Wednesday's response included 20 fire department personnel, three engines, two trucks, an ambulance, a care unit and a battalion chief, Tidwell said.Copyright © 2024 Bay City News, Inc.

Scheffler wins player vote as PGA Tour player of the year over Rahm

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:49:00 GMT

KAPALUA, Hawaii. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler has been voted PGA Tour player of the year over Masters champion Jon Rahm, a player vote that raises questions of whether Rahm was penalized for defecting to LIV Golf.Scheffler is the first back-to-back winner since Tiger Woods in 2006-07. The world’s No. 1 player had the best statistical season since Woods by leading the tour in all the important categories from the tee to the green, along with scoring.What he lacked, compared with Rahm, was winning. Scheffler won The Players Championship and the Phoenix Open. So remarkable was his consistency that Scheffler did not finish worse than 12th until July.Rahm, however, won four times, including his second major when he captured the Masters.The PGA Tour said voting took place from Dec. 1 through Dec. 15. Rahm, who for 18 months had been an ardent supporter of the tour, donned a LIV letterman’s jacket and announced he was joining the Saudi-funded rival league on Dec. 7.The tour said Sc...

Brewers acquire LHP Bryan Hudson after Dodgers designate him for assignment

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:49:00 GMT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers acquired Bryan Hudson from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Justin Chambers on Wednesday in an exchange of left-handed pitchers.Los Angeles also will receive either cash or a player to be named.Hudson, 26, went 0-0 with a 7.27 ERA in six appearances for the Dodgers last season with seven strikeouts and four walks in 8 2/3 innings. Los Angeles designated Hudson for assignment last week to make room on their roster for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese right-hander who signed a $325 million, 12-year contract.The 6-foot-8 Hudson spent most of the 2023 season in the minors and had a 6-2 record and 2.43 ERA in 46 appearances with 86 strikeouts and 26 walks over 55 2/3 innings with the Dodgers’ Triple-A Oklahoma City affiliate.Hudson’s 46 outings with Oklahoma City last season included eight starts.Chambers, 18, was selected by the Brewers in the 20th round of last year’s amateur draft.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlbSource