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Pence finds himself the reluctant centerpiece of case against Trump

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:43:10 GMT

By Jill Colvin | Associated PressNEW YORK — Mike Pence fought the Department of Justice in court to try to avoid testifying against his former boss. But the former vice president plays a central role in a new federal indictment unsealed Tuesday that outlines the first criminal charges against Donald Trump connected to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.The 45-page indictment is informed, in part, by contemporaneous notes that Pence kept of their conversations in the days leading up to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, as Trump tried to pressure Pence to go along with his desperate — and prosecutors say illegal — scheme to keep the two men in power.Among the discussions: An episode in which Trump is alleged to have told Pence that he was “too honest” for rejecting Trump’s false claims that Pence had the power to overturn the vote. “Bottom line – won every state by 100,000s of votes,” Trump said in another conversation, according to the ...

Wells Fargo accused of new fake-accounts scam in lawsuit alleging racketeering, identity-fraud

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:43:10 GMT

Bernard “Jay” Patterson had never done business with Wells Fargo, so when he received a statement for a checking account in his name, he had questions. And as a forensic accountant and certified fraud examiner who has applied his expertise in numerous lawsuits — including several involving the San Francisco-based bank — he knew where to look for answers.A lawsuit Patterson filed Tuesday in California accuses Wells Fargo of creating fraudulent accounts for thousands of people, including many non-customers. Regulators fined the bank $3 billion in 2020 for creating millions of fake accounts to generate millions of dollars in fees and interest.“Just as one Wells Fargo fake account scandal concludes, another emerges,” the lawsuit alleges.Patterson claims that Wells Fargo, working with a Sacramento credit reporting agency also named as a defendant, used fake and real personal-identification information to open unauthorized accounts. In Patterson’s...

Evacuation orders issued in San Pablo after hazardous materials incident

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:43:10 GMT

Residents of several blocks in San Pablo were ordered Wednesday afternoon to immediately evacuate their homes after a hazardous materials incident in the area.The evacuation orders were issued by the San Pablo Police Department for an area bordered by Giant Road to the west, Miner Avenue on the north, 11th Street to the east and Palmer Avenue to the south.Evacuees were told they could go to an emergency shelter at Contra Costa College’s gymnasium, located at 2600 Mission Bell Drive.Residents were told to take only what they could carry with them, and to stay off phone lines — unless they were reporting a life-threatening emergency or could not leave their home.ABC7 news reported that potentially hazardous substances were found in containers in a shed and garage of a home on the 900 block of Stanton Avenue and that a bomb squad is en route to inspect containers.Details about the hazardous substance were not immediately known.Check back for more information to this develop...

Should Trump be jailed? 2024 election may decide that

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:43:10 GMT

By Jill Colvin | Associated PressNEW YORK — The 2024 election will determine whether Donald Trump returns to the White House. It could also decide if he’ll face time behind bars.For Trump, who’s now facing his third criminal indictment — this time for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and block the transfer of presidential power — winning is about more than ego, redemption, score-settling or the future of the country.“This election may very well be about Donald Trump’s personal freedom,” said Ari Fleischer, a longtime Republican strategist. “It’s not an exaggeration to say, if convicted, he could be sentenced to prison unless he wins and he uses the levers of justice to reverse it or stop it or drop it.”The deeply personal stakes for Trump add to what is already an election unlike any other in modern history. It’s now not only a debate over the country’s challenges, but a partisan fight over whether the 77-year-old ...

Single family residence sells for $1.6 million in Alameda

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:43:10 GMT

1015 Buena Vista Avenue – Google Street ViewThe property located in the 1000 block of Buena Vista Avenue in Alameda was sold on June 15, 2023 for $1,600,000, or $869 per square foot. The house, built in 1930, has an interior space of 1,841 square feet. This two-story house offers a spacious layout with four bedrooms and three baths. In addition, the home provides a two-car garage, granting ample space for parking and storage purposes. The lot of the property is substantial, measuring 8,212 square feet.Additional houses that have recently been purchased close by include:A 1,114-square-foot home on the 1400 block of Ninth Street in Alameda sold in May 2023, for $1,140,000, a price per square foot of $1,023. The home has 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom.In January 2023, a 1,860-square-foot home on Fitch Court in Alameda sold for $1,275,000, a price per square foot of $685. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Sherman Street, Alameda, in June 2023, a 2,408-square-foot home was sold for $1,91...

Letters: Unasked questions | Deputize ex-officers | Climate bills | Republicans fiddle | Vegas plan | Trouble with truth

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:43:10 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.DA meeting leavesquestions unaskedRe: “People question leaders over muggings and carjackings” (Page B1, July 29).We attended the community meeting on July 27 hosting DA Pamela Price at the Montclair Presbyterian Church. The line of people attempting to enter snaked around the block and many people were unable to enter the facility.We were asked to submit questions to Price in advance and I did so. However, the meeting devolved into a shouting match with aggrieved citizens airing their issues with violent crime in Oakland. I left in frustration after more than 1 1/2 hours with the moderator asking no questions, properly submitted, of Price challenging her on her performance in office: for instance, her refusal to transfer juvenile killers to adult court and her refusal to charge legislatively mandated enhancements.When I left in frustration no one had challenged her on her office’s soft ...

Severe flooding follows days of record rainfall in Beijing

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:43:10 GMT

By Andy Wong and Huizhong Wu | Associated PressZHUOZHOU, Hebei — China’s capital has recorded its heaviest rainfall in at least 140 years over the past few days as remnants of Typhoon Doksuri deluged the region, turning streets into canals where emergency crews used rubber boats to rescue stranded residents.The city recorded 744.8 millimeters (29.3 inches) of rain between Saturday and Wednesday morning, the Beijing Meteorological Bureau said Wednesday.Beijing and the surrounding province of Hebei were hit by severe flooding because of the record rainfall, with waters rising to dangerous levels. The rain destroyed roads and knocked out power and even pipes carrying drinking water. It flooded rivers surrounding the capital, leaving cars waterlogged, while lifting others onto bridges meant for pedestrians.The number of confirmed deaths from the torrential rains around Beijing rose to 21 on Wednesday after the body of a rescuer was recovered. Wang Hong-chun, 41, was with other res...

49ers officially hire Frank Gore, make personnel department changes

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:43:10 GMT

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers made official Wednesday the hire of former running back and franchise all-time leading rusher Frank Gore as a special assistant to general manager John Lynch, one of eight changes made to the personnel department.Aside from Gore’s addition, which was previously reported by ESPN, here are the other seven personnel department moves:Jeff Diamond, senior manager, salary cap: Diamond is in his eighth season with the 49ers and was promoted from manager to senior manager. His role should increase with executive Paraag Marathe’s increased involvement with the Leeds United soccer team.Hayden Frey, area scout: Previously a college scout for two years, Frey will provide all-star game and pro day evaluations in preparations for the NFL Draft.Crowley Hanlon, area scout: Previously a pro scout, Hanlon in his eighth season will travel to schools for player evaluations in preparation for the draft.Ekene Olekanma, coordinator of football research and develop...

Letters: Focus on basics | New model | ‘Residents’ Remedy’ | Results count | Medicare expansion

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:43:10 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.S.J. leaders mustfocus on the basicsEnough with the headline-grabbing antics. I am weary of continually reading about councilmembers chasing shiny objects.How about focusing on the basics for the good of all residents? For starters, emergency preparedness — our community is ill-prepared for the “big one,” or weather disasters. Illegal dumping is out of control. More trees should be planted. Were earlier proposals followed up on? Public safety numbers must grow. Streets should be cleaned thoroughly and regularly. Animal care and services need attention. Parks need ongoing maintenance.Basics aren’t “sexy,” and I doubt that focusing on bringing them to fruition would garner front-page news. But that’s what our electeds are supposed to be doing … focusing on the running of the city, right?Thank heaven for Mayor Matt Mahan, who understands the importance of focusing on the ...

Residents: We warned SF city leaders before massive fire

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:43:10 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Crews continue to deconstruct what remains of the construction fire that broke out Tuesday on the corner of Octavia Boulevard and Oak Street in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood.The massive 4-alarm blaze destroyed an apartment building that was under construction, as well as damaged five neighboring buildings. The source of what caused the fire has not been released by officials. According to the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, this is not the first time a fire has happened in this area, and they have previously warned city leaders about unsheltered people igniting warming fires. The association noted several fires that had occurred in their neighborhood from tent encampments. On March 31, a car was lit on fire near a tent encampment and on April 24, a construction site was set on fire near a tent encampment. The following day, a tent encampment was up in flames, the association said. “Yes. I have seen, like, homeless, like putting fi...