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Bay Area rents see biggest drop in 27 months

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:17 GMT

When Bridget Wack went looking for an apartment in San Francisco in 2019, she felt like the odds were stacked against her.“It was so competitive,” she said. “People had filled out their application before seeing the apartment. There were people who were offering over the asking price. Some offered $400 more.”A sign advertising an apartment for rent is hung in the Marina District of San Francisco earlier this year. In August, rent saw its biggest year-over-year decline in 27 months, dropping by 4.3% in the San Francisco/Berkeley/Oakland metro area. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) Though she was eventually able to find a spot in the Sunset district, the hunt left her nervous about returning to the rental market when she and her boyfriend decided to search together for a one-bedroom in Oakland this fall.What she found was an utterly transformed market. Listings offered one month free — sometimes even two. Rather than leaving work early to get to a showing...

From the Roadshow archives: But officer, I can explain: Drivers’ traffic-violation excuses

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:17 GMT

Editor’s note: Mr. Roadshow wanted to share some of his favorite columns and stories from more than 30 years of informing, entertaining and getting things changed for Bay Area (and beyond) drivers. He’ll be back on the road with new material soon. In the meantime, please keep sending Mr. Roadshow your comments or questions to [email protected] story originally was published on July 24, 2009. The two French tourists were flying down Highway 101 through Sunnyvale in their rented Ford Taurus, hitting 100 mph.That got the attention of California Highway Patrol Officer Dave Barnett — as did their unusual excuse.The two men in their 20s said they had studied U.S. traffic laws before heading to the United States and were told that speed limit signs here are black and white — like the signs that read “101” along the freeway.Wasn’t that, they asked, the speed limit?“I let them go,” Barnett said, “and told them to make sure the sign ...

49ers QB Brock Purdy is new face of regional Toyota commercials

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:17 GMT

Brock Purdy is joining an even more exclusive club than San Francisco 49ers starting quarterbacks: Toyota’s lead pitchmen.Purdy is the new face of Toyota’s Northern California advertisements, becoming just the third Bay Area athlete in the last 20 years to become the face of the Japanese car company’s regional commercials.Toyota has previously made Steve Young and Buster Posey the center of its campaigns for several years each. But after Posey retired following his 2021 season, Toyota Dealer Association president Dave Johnston said he and Trey Curtola, chairman of H/L Agency, spent the year thinking of their next campaign.“There was nothing that really stood out, and then, bam, this lightning rod kid comes out of nowhere and leads the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game,” Johnston said. “Nothing is more electrifying and magnetic than an NFL quarterback. Everybody loves football, it’s must-see, and the quarterback is No. 1.”Purdy’s ascension from the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft t...

The hidden pricetag of California’s public schools

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:17 GMT

At Scotts Valley High, a school eight miles north of Santa Cruz, the track is made of dirt.Todd Hoffman, the volunteer coach, calls it the ’70s retro track. And despite years of trying, it’s something he hasn’t been able to upgrade. Hoffman heads up a fundraising group, one which, through parent and community donations, pays for 90% of the school’s athletic budget, he says — from the kids’ uniforms to the coaches’ salaries to the transportation to and from games. Every year, parents are asked to give $200 per child, per sports team to the club, a sum that Hoffman says wouldn’t fully cover the costs even if everyone paid them.“It feels like we’re keeping it all going,” said Hoffman. “And that’s sad.”For years, schools across California have been supported by parents, communities and education funds, groups which have long filled the gaps between what students need and what the state provides. Depending on the wealth of the community around those schools, those gaps might ...

The pros and cons to Warriors potentially bringing on Dwight Howard

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:17 GMT

It was just over a decade ago that the Warriors were desperate to trade for Dwight Howard. Stephen Curry was one of the names Golden State lofted to the Orlando Magic in return for the then-superstar’s services. But Howard had no interest in a long-term future with the downtrodden Warriors and demanded a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile Curry transformed into a global superstar and Golden State into a lasting dynasty.Now fate has come full circle and roles reversed: After a season in the Taiwanese League, 37-year-old Howard wants back into the NBA and Curry’s Warriors are offering a chance to land one of their final two roster spots. In this case, the Warriors won’t be courting Howard.With a camp invite, Howard likely has to convince head coach Steve Kerr and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. that he’s willing to accept a lesser role — playing behind Draymond Green and Kevon Looney — than he was accustomed to during his All-Star years a ...

High school football roundup: Live Oak, Menlo School among Saturday’s winners

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:17 GMT

No. 22 Menlo School 28, Menlo-Atherton 13The Knights won the battle of Atherton thanks to a big day from quarterback Mikey McGrath and a number of timely defensive plays. It was Menlo School’s first victory against Menlo-Atherton since 2014. McGrath threw three touchdown passes, the first one a 26-yard toss to Nicky Scacco in the first quarter.Scacco scored his second TD of the day in the second quarter, high-pointing a ball in the corner of the end zone to give Menlo School a 14-0 lead. Brady Jung turned a McGrath pass into a 79-yard touchdown reception with 3:47 left in the first half, handing the Knights a 21-0 lead. Then came a flurry of action at the very end of the first half. Menlo School’s Palmer Riley intercepted a M-A pass, but the offense couldln’t do anything with it. With 10 seconds to go in the half, the Bears got on the board with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Xander Eschelman to James Grey. Menlo-Atherton got the ball back after the touchdown, but Menlo School’s Jack...

Police investigate SWMD hit-and-run crash, sending 2 to trauma center

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:17 GMT

Miami Police responded to a possible accident involving a motorbike overnight in SouthWest Miami-Dade.Upon arrival, officials found a motorist of a motor scooter and another person on the scene who appeared to be injured after the reported crash at 2235 Southwest 8th Street around 3:46 a.m.The scooter had two passengers that were thrown on impact. Both an adult male and an adult female were transported to Ryder Trauma Center in serious condition.The crash appeared to be a hit-and-run, according to police, involving another motorist who fled the scene. Detectives are continuing their investigation as well as determining the circumstances surrounding this crash and the person involved who fled. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Baked Oatmeal Cups / Belkys

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:17 GMT

If you are looking for an easy breakfast treat, we have something to start your day off right. That’s what’s cooking as we grab a Bite With Belkys. Ingredients:2 ½ cups rolled oats (Old Fashioned)1 large egg1 ½ cups milk (any kind)¼ cup pure maple syrupOptional mix-ins: Finely chopped apples, bananas, cinnamon, fresh or frozen berries, peanut butter, mini chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, etc.Method of Preparation:Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin pan (you can also use silicone muffin cups). Set aside.In a medium bowl, stir together oats, eggs, milk, and maple syrup until combined. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin pans (make sure you get equal liquid in each cup so none are dry).Stir in optional mix-ins if desired. We made them with banana and chocolate chips, but use your favorites!Bake for about 25 minutes, until light golden brown on top and completely set.Let them sit for 10–20 minutes before removing them from t...

Iranian authorities arrest Mahsa Amini’s father on anniversary of her death

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:17 GMT

First two cargo ships arrive in Ukrainian port after Russia’s exit from grain deal

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:17 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Two cargo ships arrived in one of Ukraine’s ports over the weekend, using a temporary Black Sea corridor established by Kyiv following Russia’s withdrawal from a wartime agreement designed to ensure safe grain exports from the invaded country’s ports.Two Palau-flagged bulk carriers, Aroyat and Resilient Africa, docked Saturday at the seaport of Chornomorsk in the southern Odesa region, according to an online statement by the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority. The vessels are the first civilian cargo ships to reach one of the Odesa ports since Russia exited the grain deal. Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, said in an online statement Saturday that the two ships will be delivering some 20,000 tons of wheat to countries in Africa and Asia. For months, Ukraine, whose economy is heavily dependent on farming, was able to safely export its grain from Black Sea ports under a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey to ensure safe shipmen...