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San Carlos sword-beheading defendant drops insanity plea ahead of trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:07 GMT

REDWOOD CITY — With a trial moving forward as early as next week, the defendant accused of a brutal daytime killing — allegedly attacking the mother of his child with a sword — has withdrawn a plea of insanity and will instead proceed with a traditional defense, according to attorneys in the case.Jose Rafael Solano Landaeta, 33 of Hayward, faces one count of murder after he allegedly the mother of one of his children, 27-year-old Karina Castro, on Sept. 8 last year. Solano allegedly used a sword to brutally kill Castro, essentially beheading her in the shocking crime..Witnesses said in a March preliminary hearing that they could see Castro’s body after the incident, in a fetal position with her hands in a defensive location near her neck.In previous court hearings, Solano’s attorney, Robert Cummings, had entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. However, this week, as the case entered jury selection, came a new strategy: Cummings will pursue a traditional defense, fo...

San Jose auditorum hall is bought, could become future housing site

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:07 GMT

SAN JOSE — A public hall in San Jose that’s near a future BART station site has been bought by a busy developer who envisions the possibility of high-density housing on the property.Nova Alianca Hall is the building that has been bought by Intelli, an affiliate headed up by San Jose-based business executive Do Van Tron, according to public property documents filed in Santa Clara County.Intelli paid $2.4 million for the building, which is located at 37 North 27th Street and also fronts on North 26th Street.The property is a block or two from the location of a future BART station that would be built near North 28th Street and East Santa Clara Street in San Jose.“In the future, this could be developed,” Tron said. “It could become high-density housing.”Sociedade Filarmonica Nova Alianca sold the property to Intelli, the county documents show. The organization is a Portuguese marching band that was founded in San Jose in 1974.“There’s pote...

Celebrity choreographer can sue over Fortnite avatars who do his dance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:07 GMT

A celebrity choreographer’s lawsuit over a little dance done by Fortnite avatars has been revived by a federal appeals court.Related ArticlesEntertainment | What to play: ‘UFC 5’ is a change of pace if you’re tired Halloween fare Entertainment | Halloween video game roundup: ‘Alan Wake II’ and ‘Dead Space’ bookend a horror-filled year Entertainment | ‘Hardhat Wombat’ is a puzzle game focused on a marsupial’s unique trait Entertainment | How toy and game companies are winning back their grown-up former customers Entertainment | What to play: Mario, Sonic and Spider-Man highlight a packed week in gaming Kyle Hanagami, a Los Angeles choreographer known for his work with the K-pop bands Blackpink and Red Velvet, had alleged copyright infringement when moves from a dance he created showed up as part of a Fortnite “emote” — a s...

Woman accused of laundering money to San Francisco drug dealers' Mexican bank accounts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:07 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A Union City woman is accused of secretly working with San Francisco drug dealers and using her position as a money services teller to wire money to bank accounts in Mexico. Investigators became suspicious of Yessenia Margarita Barrientos-Lainez, 42, after Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested a Tenderloin drug dealer on June 1. Investigators said they found text messages exchanged between the dealer and the teller discussing a conspiracy for laundering drug dealing profits into foreign bank accounts. The money services business where Barrientos worked is located in the Tenderloin, a neighborhood plagued by rampant open-air drug markets and fatal drug overdoses.San Francisco police are cracking down on Tenderloin drug dealers. During one recent arrest, officers seized nearly $2,000 in drug money on Eddy Street. (Image courtesy SFPD)This week, the United States Attorney’s Office Northern District of California charged Barrientos with conspiring to la...

Surfer pulled from water at Ocean Beach in San Francisco

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:07 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A surfer was pulled from the water at Ocean Beach near the Great Highway and Ortega Street, according to the San Francisco Fire Department.San Francisco FD coastal rescue crews are trying to revive the surfer, the fire department said at 12:20 p.m. Wildfire in Canyon prompted evacuation warning overnight Thursday Emergency vehicles are stationed on the Great Highway, and drivers in the area are advised to use caution.This is a developing story.

Dumbarton Bridge repaving work completed 2 days early

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:07 GMT

(BCN) -- Repaving work on the eastbound lanes of the Dumbarton Bridge wrapped up two days early, according to Caltrans. The work was scheduled to happen during the overnight hours from Monday through Friday this week and resulted in complete closures of the eastbound lanes from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. while crews were on the bridge. Jewish parents pen letter to Berkeley school district demanding better student protection Since the work was completed early, the lanes will reopen to nighttime traffic Thursday and Friday, two days ahead of schedule, Caltrans officials said. The bridge is part of state Highway 84 and spans the Bay between Menlo Park in San Mateo County and Fremont in Alameda County.Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

BART recovering after major delays due to equipment problem

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:07 GMT

(BCN) -- BART service is recovering on the Antioch line Thursday morning after an equipment problem between the Orinda and Rockridge stations caused major delays.The transit agency issued an alert shortly before 10:45 a.m. about the delays, which were for trains in both directions, but did not specify the nature of the problem.About an hour later, BART officials said service is recovering but there are still delays of up to 20 minutes.Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

Secret U.S. Military Presence in Yemen Adds a Twist to Houthi Attack on Israel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:07 GMT

As the war between Israel and Hamas threatens to draw in Yemen, the United States military’s little noted boots on the ground in the war-torn country raise the specter of deepening American involvement in the conflict.On Monday, Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels fired ballistic and cruise missiles at Israel. The attack marked the first time ballistic missiles have been launched at Israel since Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein fired Scud missiles at Israel in 1991, according to Bruce Riedel, a former CIA analyst and expert on the region. The use of ballistic missiles represents a major escalation that threatens to ignite a regional war — with American troops stationed nearby.“The best strategy to avoid getting sucked into another war in the Middle East is to not have troops unnecessarily in the region in the first place.”“The best strategy to avoid getting sucked into another war in the Middle East is to not have troops unnecessarily in the region in the first p...

No. 5 Marquette hosts Northern Illinois to start season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:07 GMT

Northern Illinois Huskies at Marquette Golden EaglesMilwaukee; Monday, 8:30 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Golden Eagles -22.5; over/under is 147.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 5 Marquette Golden Eagles host the Northern Illinois Huskies in the season opener.Marquette went 29-7 overall with a 16-1 record at home during the 2022-23 season. The Golden Eagles averaged 79.3 points per game last season, 38.5 in the paint, 18.4 off of turnovers and 15.0 on fast breaks.Northern Illinois went 13-19 overall last season while going 7-10 on the road. The Huskies averaged 72.0 points per game while allowing opponents to score 75.0 last season.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Rutgers hosts Princeton to tip off season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:07 GMT

Princeton Tigers vs. Rutgers Scarlet KnightsTrenton, New Jersey; Monday, 7 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: The Rutgers Scarlet Knights host the Princeton Tigers in the season opener.Rutgers finished 19-15 overall with an 8-4 record in non-conference play in the 2022-23 season. The Scarlet Knights averaged 68.4 points per game last season, 32.6 in the paint, 15.6 off of turnovers and 11.3 on fast breaks.Princeton went 23-9 overall with an 11-5 record in non-conference games during the 2022-23 season. The Tigers averaged 75.5 points per game while allowing opponents to score 68.5 last season.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source