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Ukrainians who fled war will be allowed to stay in US

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

By Rebecca Santana | Associated PressWASHINGTON — The Biden administration is allowing thousands of Ukrainians who fled their homeland when Russia invaded a year ago to stay in the United States longer, the administration said Monday. The decision provides relief to Ukrainians whose one-year authorization to remain in the U.S. was set to expire soon.The Homeland Security Department said the extension is for certain Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members who were let into the U.S. before the Uniting for Ukraine program started.Ukrainians who came in under the Uniting for Ukraine program generally got two years of humanitarian “parole” in the U.S. whereas those who arrived before them generally got permission to stay only for one year.Thousands of Ukrainians came to America last year fleeing the war.The U.S. government used a program called humanitarian parole to admit them into the country. That program is a way to allow people from other countries to ente...

Vote now: Bay Area News Group boys athlete of the week

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

Editor’s note: We prohibit the use of bots and any other artificial methods of voting. Suspicious activity could lead to the disqualification of candidates and a permanent suspension of the Athlete of the Week poll.Welcome to the Bay Area News Group (Mercury News & East Bay Times) boys Athlete of the Week poll.For the entire academic year, we will provide a list of candidates who stood out over the previous week and allow you, the reader, to vote for the winner.This week, we consider performances from March 6-11.Polls close at 5 p.m. Wednesday.Vote as many times as you’d like until then without using bots or any other artificial methods of voting.Votes by email and after 5 p.m. Wednesday are not counted.Scroll to the bottom for the poll.Winners are announced each Friday online and, starting Sept. 30, in the print edition of the Mercury News and East Bay Times sports sections.Candidates for future Athlete of the Week polls can be nominated at [email protected] a...

Concord nonprofit launches guaranteed income pilot for those affected by COVID-19

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

CONCORD — Monument Impact, a community-based nonprofit, has launched a guaranteed income pilot program after being awarded $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds by the city of Concord.“We’re proud to partner with the City of Concord to launch this pilot program,” Executive Director Judith Ortiz said in a press release.The project aims to give $500 a month over 12 months to at least 120 low-income Concord families.“Priority will be given to families with children age 12 or younger living in neighborhoods where many low-wage workers who were not able to work remotely, had children at home in distance learning, and lacked access to child care, health care, and/or federal/state COVID-19 recovery funds,” the press release said.Income and other criteria of eligibility will be developed alongside the city of Concord.Ortiz said the nonprofit has seen the terrible impact COVID-19 has had on families who lost months and years of work, and the organization is uniquely positioned...

Kurtenbach: The 49ers signing Javon Hargrave corrects John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan’s biggest roster mistake

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

The 49ers have managed their roster as well as any team in the NFL over the last few seasons. That’s why, despite not having an MVP-caliber quarterback, the team has played in three NFC Championship Games in the last four seasons and was a quarter away from winning Super Bowl LIV.But trading DeForest Buckner to the Colts for a first-round pick that became his replacement at defensive tackle, Javon Kinlaw, was not one of those gilded Niners’ roster moves.It took three years, but the 49ers finally corrected that mistake.Buckner isn’t returning to the Niners, but Javon Hargrave is coming to the Bay.The former Pittsburgh Steeler and Philadelphia Eagle defensive tackle is leaving the commonwealth after agreeing to a four-year, $84 million contract.It’s big money for a big man to fill a big need for the Niners.While the Niners’ decision to sign Hargrave, 30, goes deeper than just one game, the NFC Championship Game between the Eagles and Niners showed exactly...

Review: ‘Once’ makes a poignant swan song for Tabard Theatre

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

There is a powerful dichotomy when witnessing The Tabard Theatre Company’s latest production, “Once.”That dichotomy is laid bare early on, during the show’s signature number, “Falling Slowly.” As “Guy” and “Girl” enter the final, enchanting notes of the majestic tune, just watch the rest of the cast who occupy all angles of the stage. They witness the proceedings with a mixture of what must be satisfaction, inspiration, and profound sadness on what is the company’s final production.The company has announced, after 22 years of presenting theater and live music, “Once” will be its finale. In a statement, executive artistic director Johnathan Rhys Williams, who also directed “Once,” cited three factors that have converged on the company: increasing costs, decreasing ticket sales and the continuing effects of the pandemic.Tabard is arguably the best theatrical venue in the South Bay. With its prime location in the heart of downtown San Jose, a charming bar, parking opt...

Sale closed in Los Gatos: $2 million for a three-bedroom home

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

131 Las Astas Drive – Google Street ViewA 1,539-square-foot house built in 1958 has changed hands. The property located in the 100 block of Las Astas Drive in Los Gatos was sold on Feb. 24, 2023. The $2,000,000 purchase price works out to $1,300 per square foot. The property features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a garage, and two parking spaces. It sits on a 6,468-square-foot lot, which also has a pool.These nearby houses have also recently been purchased:In November 2022, a 2,395-square-foot home on El Cajon Way in Los Gatos sold for $3,254,500, a price per square foot of $1,359. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 1,503-square-foot home on the 200 block of Las Miradas Drive in Los Gatos sold in September 2022 for $1,880,000, a price per square foot of $1,251. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Garden Hill Drive, Los Gatos, in September 2022, a 1,795-square-foot home was sold for $2,333,500, a price per square foot of $1,300. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms....

Vote now: Bay Area News Group girls high school athlete of the week

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

Editor’s note: We prohibit the use of bots and any other artificial methods of voting. Suspicious activity could lead to the disqualification of candidates and a permanent suspension of the Athlete of the Week poll.Welcome to the Bay Area News Group (Mercury News & East Bay Times) girls Athlete of the Week poll.For the entire academic year, we will provide a list of candidates who stood out over the previous week and allow you, the reader, to vote for the winner.This week, we consider performances from Mar. 6-11.Polls close at 5 p.m. Wednesday.Vote as many times as you’d like until then without using bots or any other artificial methods of voting.Votes by email and any votes after 5 p.m. on Wednesday are not counted.Scroll to the bottom for the poll.Winners are announced each Friday online and, starting Sept. 30, in the print edition of the Mercury News and East Bay Times sports sections.Candidates for future Athlete of the Week polls can be nominated at highschools@bayareanewsg...

Highway 1 still underwater, closed due to Pajaro flooding

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

PAJARO, Calif. (KRON) -- Highway 1 is still underwater after a levee break unleashed massive flooding along the Santa Cruz-Monterey county line. Highway 1 has remained closed in all directions since Sunday morning. As of noon Monday, Caltrans District 5 and California Highway Patrol officials said Highway 1 was still closed with no estimated time of reopening.Last weekend's atmospheric river poured so much rain into the Pajaro River that its levee failed, sending floodwaters across Pajaro neighborhoods and agricultural fields as far as the eye can see. Floodwaters from the swollen Pajaro River cover Highway 1 on the Santa Cruz-Monterey county line. (Image courtesy Watsonville Police Department) Emergency officials have a traffic barricade blocking all motorists from entering Highway 1 southbound at Riverside Drive (Highway 129) and blocking drivers from entering Highway 1 northbound at Salinas Road. Monday marked the second day in a row that Santa Cruz County was cut off from Monter...

Armed robbery suspect threatens to kill man in front of wife, children

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

VALLEJO, Calif. (KRON) -- A man allegedly threatened to kill a victim in front of his wife and children during an armed robbery in Vallejo on Saturday, according to officers with the Vallejo Police Department. Police said the robber was armed with a gun and threatened to kill the victim if the family did not hand over their possessions.Officers received the call when the victim's wife reported the armed robbery. She was able to provide police with a description of the suspect and car involved. Police chase of carjacking suspect in stolen vehicle ends in arrest Officers with the Vallejo PD saturated the area and found the suspect at a gas station.(Vallejo Police Department)Officers detained the suspect and realized he was on probation. During a search of the suspect's car, officers said they found the family's stolen property and a gun. The suspect was arrested and his car was towed. The stolen property was returned to the family.Police did not release the arrested man's name. 

6 news outlets earn ‘Grand Slam’ honors in APSE contest

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Dallas Morning News, The Star Tribune (Minneapolis), Los Angeles Times and the Las Vegas Review-Journal earned Grand honors in the annual Associated Press Sports Editors contest.Five of the organizations competed in Division A, which included the nation’s largest publications (daily print circulation/monthly digital unique visitors), while the Las Vegas Review-Journal competed in Division B.The APSE contest, voted on by sports editors and writers from across the nation, honored the best work in 2022.To continue representing the digital-first focus of today’s sports departments, APSE chose four categories for Grand Slam and Triple Crown recognition: a print portfolio combining weekday and Sunday offerings; event coverage over a 24-hour span; project reporting; and digital presentation.Grand Slam winners finished in the top 10 of all four categories of their respective divisions. There were nine Triple Crown wi...