World

SANTA CRUZ — The prosecution has dropped all criminal charges alleging a prominent Aptos real estate broker raped an unconscious family friend after a 2021 party at his home. Santa Cruz County Assistant District Attorney Michael Mahan said Tuesday that …

Two defense attorneys withdrew Tuesday from the case of a Sacramento man charged with the January 2021 killing of two females, one of them a minor, and a new attorney was assigned to replace them. Raymond Michael Weber, 33 (Solano …

John Doe No. 3 is John Doe no more. Donald Gene Horecka, 25, of Las Vegas. (California Statewide Law Enforcement Association)  His name, according to a cold case breakthrough from the Solano County Sheriff’s Department, was Donald Horecka. Horecka’s body …

A Contra Costa County resident is claiming that employees of hotels and motels where she said she was trafficked as a sex worker should’ve been more cognizant of what was happening and done something to help. The resident, identified as …

A 30-acre wildfire whipped by strong winds prompted evacuations in Jurupa Valley on Tuesday night, Dec. 17. But by 11 p.m., aggressive firefighting had kept the blaze from threatening homes, officials said. The Soto Fire started around 7:48 p.m., quickly …

Amazon workers voted to authorize strikes at four Southern California logistics facilities, saying the online retail giant has refused to recognize the Teamsters as their union and negotiate a contract. Related Articles Business | Starbucks triples baristas’ paid parental leave to …

Two New York men have died after contracting a rare fungal infection from the bat feces they used to fertilize their marijuana plants. The men, both of Rochester, were cultivating cannabis for personal use when their health started to deteriorate, …

A man trespassing on a railway in Redlands was shot and killed after aggressively approaching a deputy armed with rocks on Dec. 16, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said. At approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16, a deputy assigned to …

U.S. Rep. Katie Porter was granted a five-year restraining order against an ex-boyfriend on Tuesday, Dec. 17, after a judge agreed that she had been targeted with harassment and threats the congresswoman has described as harming her relationship with her …

An Anza-based Christian college under federal investigation for alleged labor trafficking and money laundering has been ordered to cease operation for failing to adhere to state educational guidelines and mandates. Administrative Law Judge Debra Nye-Perkins, in decision that became effective …

A Los Angeles County investigation was launched by the Board of Supervisors into the death of a 1-year-old baby from Canoga Park who may have died of malnourishment as a result of alleged neglect over a period of several months, …

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 18, the 353rd day of 2024. There are 13 days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 18, 2019, the U.S. House impeached President Donald Trump on two charges, sending his case to the …

CAL vs. No. 24 UNLV Records: Cal 6-6, 2-6 ACC; UNLV 10-3, 6-1 Mountain West Kickoff: 6 p.m. PT at SoFi Stadium TV: ESPN Radio: 810 AM Series history: Cal has only once faced the Rebels in program history, winning …

DEAR HARRIETTE: This Thanksgiving was an absolute disaster. Related Articles Advice | Harriette Cole: She won’t stop talking about her one marathon Advice | Harriette Cole: How can I keep them from posting about our friend’s death? Advice | Harriette …

Dear Eric: I have been married to my husband almost 10 years; we have two children. Related Articles Advice | Asking Eric: I’m embarrassed by my friend’s doggie bag shenanigans Advice | Asking Eric: They say they like my girlfriend …

DEAR ABBY: I was with my ex-fiance for 13 years. Not long after he broke up with me, I went to meet him at a hotel. Related Articles Advice | Dear Abby: He shouldn’t demand that his mom make new …

The California ground squirrel seems innocent. A familiar sight to hikers, the plump rodent can often be seen contentedly chewing on grasses, seeds and berries. But according to new research published on Wednesday in the Journal of Ethology, wildlife biologists …

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My siblings and I (all of us in our 40s and 50s) have had a strained relationship over the past few years, for various reasons. Related Articles Advice | Miss Manners: They wrongly imply my brother and …

SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks goalie Vitek Vanecek was injured in the second period of Tuesday night’s game with the Winnipeg Jets as he was struck in the face by a puck that was unexpectedly redirected into the team’s …

SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks once again failed to hold a third-period lead. Holding a one-goal lead with less than 12 minutes left in regulation time, the Sharks allowed goals to Kyle Connor and Adam Lowry, with Lowry’s …

EL CERRITO – A 28-year-old Richmond man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the alleged sexual battery of a hearing and sight impaired woman last month in El Cerrito, police said. Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Bureau of …

SAN FRANCISCO — Soon to be 6 years old, Dennis Schroder Jr. is old enough now to understand what it meant when his dad got a phone call this week informing him that he had been traded to the Golden …

By Justin Katumwa, Jean-Yves Kamale and Wilson McMakin | Associated Press KINSHASA, Congo — An overcrowded boat capsized on a river in central Congo on Tuesday, killing at least 25 people, including children, and leaving dozens missing, officials and local …

By Andrew Dalton | Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Megan Thee Stallion asked a court on Tuesday to issue a restraining order against Tory Lanez, who she says is harassing her from prison through surrogates as he serves a 10-year …

Siddharth Philip, Albertina Torsoli and David Welch (Bloomberg) — Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. are exploring a potential merger, according to people familiar with the matter, which would create a singular rival to Toyota Motor Corp. in Japan …

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. Expand efforts to students with disabilities Statewide, about 13% of students in California are identified as having a disability, according to data from the California Department …

Great news for brisket-loving Lamorindans and East Bay foodies who have longed for some stellar barbecue: Matt Horn is opening a new restaurant in Lafayette. Horn, a James Beard award-nominated barbecue chef who was named one of the country’s best …

PALO ALTO – A motorcyclist was killed in a crash Monday night in Palo Alto, police said. Related Articles Crashes and Disasters | Crash on California freeway near kills 4; only survivor is 4-year-old Crashes and Disasters | Six-year-old boy …

EMERYVILLE — As cities welcome new elected officials to their council ranks, Emeryville councilmembers have chosen to reprimand one of theirs, prompting a hunger strike and backlash from those who back the singled-out official. Councilmember Kalimah Priforce is accused by …

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. MTC should reject bridge toll increase Re: Borenstein: Bay Area transportation slush fund casts doubt on need for $2.50 bridge toll hike We represent a …

DUBLIN — A Tracy woman has been sentenced to four years in prison for killing a man and woman who were celebrating their wedding anniversary when their motorcycle was struck by a drunk driver, records show. Courtney Andrade, who is …

NEW YORK — Luigi Mangione on Tuesday was formally accused of first-degree murder, a charge that branded him a terrorist and aimed directly at the idea that the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO was a legitimate political act. “This was a …

ANTIOCH — Newly elected Mayor Ron Bernal said he aims to bridge the division within the community while tackling some of Antioch’s most pressing issues, such as public safety, homelessness, and economic growth. Bernal, who took his oath of office …

With the vast majority of waterway pollution caused by homeless encampments, San Jose officials and nonprofit partners have begun to assess the extent of the problem along the worst stretches of the city’s creeks and streams. San Jose Mayor Matt …

In his home studio in Alameda, composer Brian Baumbusch creates and records music that a friend says is like a diamond because each composition’s structure is so strong it can’t crumble, even when listened to 10 times or more. Related …

Nick Nash, the former quarterback who led the nation in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns this season, will not play in San Jose State’s bowl game next week. Spartans head coach Ken Niumatalolo told media at his press conference …

CUPERTINO — An iconic performing arts theater where Apple co-founder Steve Job unveiled the first Macintosh computer in 1984 is being reduced to rubble, five years after the college district that owns the space closed it down due to high …

By RONALD BLUM NEW YORK (AP) — A yearlong study by Major League Baseball concluded rising velocities, pitch shaping and emphasis on maximum effort are the likely causes of the vast increase in pitcher injuries and recommended exploring rules changes …

San Jose police arrested a man on suspicion of committing a home-invasion robbery and sexually assaulting two women, according to a department press release. Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Bureau of Prisons agrees to pay $116 million settlement …

SAN JOSE — The NHL fined San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky $25,000 for what it termed ‘inappropriate conduct’ during the team’s game Saturday against the Utah Hockey Club. Money from the fine, announced Tuesday, goes to the NHL …