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Letters: Abusing racehorses | Praise achievements | Trans rights | Child care | Transfer is craven

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:52 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.We must stop abuseof racehorsesSo far this year, five young horses have died at Golden Gate Fields. Two died from colic, a terrible affliction, but mostly preventable if horses aren’t fed hard-to-digest, carbohydrate-loaded feed to boost their energy to race abnormally fast. Another victim collapsed after winning a race and sustained a severe injury, the result of horses being trained and raced before they reach musculoskeletal maturity. She was euthanized immediately. The causes of death of the other two remain undisclosed.Premature deaths aside, horses are tormented by being kept in 12-by-12-foot stalls 23 hours a day and prodded to race with pain-inflicting instruments. As they become unprofitable, some end up abandoned or in slaughterhouses abroad.When we realize that horseracing isn’t a sport but a legal betting vehicle, it becomes clear why the industry treats the horses it claims to be well-cared-...

Three-bedroom home sells in Oakland for $2.8 million

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:52 GMT

5351 Lawton Avenue – Google Street ViewA 2,605-square-foot house built in 2009 has changed hands. The spacious property located in the 5300 block of Lawton Avenue in Oakland was sold on Feb. 1, 2023. The $2,825,000 purchase price works out to $1,084 per square foot. The property features three bedrooms, three baths, a garage, and one parking space. The unit sits on a 4,000-square-foot lot.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:In July 2022, a 1,634-square-foot home on Manila Avenue in Oakland sold for $1,652,000, a price per square foot of $1,011. The home has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Shafter Avenue, Oakland, in December 2022, a 1,281-square-foot home was sold for $1,375,000, a price per square foot of $1,073. The home has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathrooms.A 2,111-square-foot home on the 5200 block of Lawton Avenue in Oakland sold in October 2022 for $2,280,000, a price per square foot of $1,080. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

Kentucky GOP lawmakers pass ban on gender-affirming care

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:52 GMT

By Bruce Schreiner | Associated PressFRANKFORT, Ky. — Republican lawmakers in Kentucky passed a measure Thursday to ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors, completing whirlwind voting on a repackaged proposal that triggered outrage and tears among opponents unable to stop the sweeping policymaking on a culture wars issue.Supporters of the proposal — which affects how gender is discussed in schools — beat a Thursday deadline to retain their power to override an expected gubernatorial veto.GOP supermajorities in the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed the bill, a day after a slimmed-down version had stalled in the Senate and seemingly left the issue in limbo. A cascade of shouting erupted from some bill opponents in the gallery after the Senate vote.The bill’s foes denounced the fast-track maneuvering and the expanded measure’s implications for trans youths. Overcome with emotion, a sobbing Rep. Josie Raymond said children would be harmed. “I’m emb...

Governor’s new plan: Transform San Quentin into rehabilitation center

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:52 GMT

By Janie Har and Sophie Austin | Associated Press/Report for AmericaSACRAMENTO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to transform a state lockup that is home to the nation’s largest number of death row inmates into a facility where prisoners can receive education, training and rehabilitation.Newsom’s office announced the new plans Thursday for San Quentin State Prison, which will be renamed the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. The governor plans to visit the prison on the shore of San Francisco Bay on Friday as part of a statewide policy tour.The plan marks a massive shift in how the state would shape the fates of those behind bars.Newsom announced a moratorium on executions in 2019, but nearly 700 inmates remain on death row today.Death sentences in California have declined over the years, and the state last executed an inmate in 2006.Check back for updates.

Oakland Diocese may file bankruptcy for child sex abuse claims

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:52 GMT

(KRON) -- The Diocese of Oakland is facing the possibility of bankruptcy due to child sex abuse claims, it announced in a letter on Thursday. According to the letter, which was addressed to "Parishioners and Friends," the diocese said it may be facing approximately 330 lawsuits. More than 150K catalytic converters stolen in 2022; problem may be underreported, data suggests "As the court continues to process the lawsuits, the total magnitude will become clearer," read the letter, which was signed by Bishop of Oakland, Most Rev. Michael C. Barber. "However, it is increasingly evident we face a monumental challenge. I have therefore been working with our College of Consultors, our Diocesan Finance Council, and our staff and advisors to discern the best way to support compassionate and equitable compensation for survivors and ensure the continuation of vibrant, Christ-centered parishes to serve our faithful."The letter goes on to say that the "Diocese is giving strong consideration to...

Drug deal gone wrong leads to shooting, two arrested by Oakley PD

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:52 GMT

(KRON) -- Two people were arrested in Oakley on Tuesday in a shooting that police say was related to an illegal narcotics deal gone wrong. Oakley Police Department officers responded to reports of three men fighting and gunshots on the 1000 block of Quail Valley Run at 10:12 p.m. on Tuesday, according to a post from Oakley PD. More than 150K catalytic converters stolen in 2022; problem may be underreported, data suggests Officers approached the area and were advised that one person had fled the vehicle after the gunshots and that the vehicle was driven away. Oakley PD officers located the vehicle at the intersection of Laurel Road and Teton Road. As officers approached the suspects, they learned that the vehicle was stolen from Oakley last weekend.Officers made contact and discovered that the vehicle's driver, a young man, was shot in the upper chest. A juvenile male in the front passenger seat was also contacted. Medical care was provided for the driver; paramedics were called, ...

City of Oakley dedicates bench in honor of Alexis Gabe

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:52 GMT

OAKLEY, Calif. (KRON) -- For her 25th birthday, Alexis Gabe is being honored by the City of Oakley. The city is dedicating a bench in her honor for her birthday on Friday, it announced in a Facebook post. The ceremony will take place 6 p.m. on March 17 (Alexis' birthday) at Civic Center Park located at 3221 Main St. A plaque will be installed on this bench (below) in honor of Alexis.The plaque that will be installed on the Oakley bench in honor of Alexis Gabe (Photo courtesy of Gabe family).This bench will be dedicated to Alexis Gabe on March 17 (Photo courtesy of Gabe family). Alexis Gabe disappearance timeline released "The City of Oakley will be installing a plaque on this bench at Oakley City Park in honor of Alexis. We will create an event when it’s ready. Thank you so much to the City Manager and Sharon Kuykendall for organizing this," said Gwyn Gabe, Alexis' father, wrote in a Facebook post. Earlier this month, Gabe's family announced more remains were found after a search ...

California to transform prison with death row legacy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:52 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to transform a state lockup that is home to the nation’s largest number of death row inmates into a facility where prisoners can receive education, training and rehabilitation.Newsom’s office announced the new plans Thursday for San Quentin State Prison, which will be renamed the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. The governor plans to visit the prison on the shore of the San Francisco Bay on Friday as part of a statewide policy tour.“Today, we take the next step in our pursuit of true rehabilitation, justice, and safer communities through this evidenced-backed investment, creating a new model for safety and justice — the California Model — that will lead the nation,” Newsom said in a statement.The plan marks a massive shift in how the state would shape the fates of those behind bars.Newsom announced a moratorium on executions in 2019, but nearly 700 inmates remain on death row today.Death sentences in Californ...

LSU enters NCAA Tournament energized by Mulkey mania

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:52 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — LSU All-America forward Angel Reese wrote the phrase, “four rebounds,” in her locker.The story behind that exemplifies Kim Mulkey’s influence on the Tigers, who enter Friday’s opening round of the 2023 NCAA tournament having won 54 of 62 games since LSU hired the three-time national champion coach away from Baylor. The 6-foot-3 Reese, who has averaged 23.4 points and 15.5 rebounds this season, pulled down a season-low four boards during LSU’s 88-64 loss at unbeaten South Carolina on Feb. 12.During a subsequent practice, Mulkey mentioned that less-than-flattering statistic more than once.“She has humbled me a lot; A lot of players probably can’t be coached by coach Mulkey,” Reese asserted. “I just appreciate how much she pushes me.“Of anybody, she gets on me the most,” Reese continued. “This is something I needed.”LSU (28-2), seeded third in the tournament’s Greenville 2 region, hosts Big West tournament champion No. 1...

Ex-Theranos exec finds way to delay start of prison sentence

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:52 GMT

Former Theranos executive Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani found an escape hatch Thursday from the scheduled start of his nearly 13-year prison sentence for a blood-testing hoax he engineered with his former boss and lover, Elizabeth Holmes.Just hours before Balwani was supposed to surrender to authorities, his lawyer filed documents notifying U.S. District Judge Edward Davila that he wouldn’t be doing so.The notice cited a last-minute appeal of a recent Davila ruling rejecting Balwani’s request to remain free while trying to overturn his conviction on 12 counts of fraud and conspiracy. The Wednesday appeal of Davila’s March 9 ruling triggered an automatic stay of his prison reporting date, which had been set for 2 p.m. PT Thursday. That’s because Balwani, 57, has been free on bail since a jury convicted him last July, triggering a clause that allows him to remain free on bail until the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals weighs in on Davila’s ruling issue...