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‘Soul Train’ musical starts its track to Broadway in SF

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:55 GMT

For decades, “Soul Train” was a trend-setting phenomenon in American households, a nonstop dance party that brought African American music, fashion and dance trends into the spotlight in a way then seldom seen on television.Created by Chicago broadcaster Don Cornelius, “Soul Train” helped launch the careers of stars such as Jody Watley, Vivica A. Fox and Rosie Perez who, started out as dancers on the show.Now American Conservatory Theater is premiering a Broadway-bound jukebox musical tracing the history of the long-running TV show from its 1970 Chicago debut through its 36 years on the air and the many waves of popular music that it featured.“It changed the entire cultural landscape of television,” says playwright Dominique Morisseau, who wrote the book of the musical. “It defined a presence of Black commercials, Black products, Black consumerism for independent and established Black businesses who were putting their commercials on the ‘Soul Train’ slot. That kind of marketing repr...

Oakley shooting leaves man dad, woman critically injured

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:55 GMT

OAKLEY — A man was fatally shot and a woman critically injured Tuesday in Oakley following an apparent domestic dispute, police said.Police were called to the 1700 block of Pecan Court around 4:50 p.m. Tuesday for a welfare check on a woman who didn’t show up at work. While there, they knocked on doors, spoke with neighbors but saw nothing suspicious and left, authorities said.Less than an hour later, a neighbor went to the house and saw two people, including the woman who looked as though she was in distress, police said.Officers were again alerted and entered the home, where they found a man who had been fatally shot and a woman who was suffering from a severe gunshot wound.The man was pronounced deceased and the woman was flown to a hospital in critical condition, police said.The man’s identity was not released pending notification of his next-of-kin.“What happened yesterday was completely unnecessary and avoidable,” Oakley police Chief Paul Beard said in a statement. “If you, or...

49ers rejoice over Nick Bosa deal with hugs in coach’s office, relief in locker room

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:55 GMT

SANTA CLARA — Nick Bosa’s long-awaited contract extension shot a magnificent morale boost through all corners of the 49ers’ headquarters Wednesday.Coach Kyle Shanahan was in his office, preparing for a regularly scheduled press conference, when he saw the happy faces and positive energy ooze from three visitors — general manager John Lynch and chief contract negotiators Paraag Marathe and Brian Hampton.“There were a couple of bro hugs and congratulations,” Shanahan said.Left tackle Trent Williams was in the locker room with only a few other players when a phone flashed with news of Bosa’s deal (five years, $170 million).“I ain’t going to lie, when we got here today, I started to get worried if it’d be done in enough time for him to play this weekend,” Williams said. “We got that taken care of, so I’m super excited.”Linebacker Fred Warner was grabbing lunch in the cafeteria when defensive coordinator Steve Wilks grabbe...

Photos: Steph and Ayesha Curry open new schoolyard in Oakland

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:55 GMT

Steph and Ayesha Curry stopped by Lockwood STEAM Academy on Wednesday to open a new schoolyard and cement their commitment to providing Oakland Unified School District students with healthy meals and reading skills support through their nonprofit.Related ArticlesLocal News | Is Steph Curry the best point guard ever? He says yes. Local News | Video: Steph Curry surprises at Paramore concert in SF, takes lead vocals The Currys in 2019 cofounded Eat. Learn. Play Foundation, which partnered with Lockwood STEAM Academy to improve Oakland students’ well-being by focusing on exercise, literacy and nutrition.To serve that mission, Eat. Learn. Play Foundation said it has raised $47 million to serve Oakland kids and families, delivered 25 million meals and donated $6 million to literacy programs and resources.Wednesday marked the surprise unveiling of a reimagined schoolyard at Lockwood STEAM, which now includes two new, kid-designed playgrounds, two mult...

The Oakland A’s are intriguing; it’s too bad ownership ostracized fans who would care

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:55 GMT

OAKLAND — The Oakland A’s are three losses away from their third 100-loss season since the team moved out West 55 years ago. But through the historic lows are glimmers of promise that showed up in the A’s 5-2 sweep-preventing win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon in front of a crowd of 3,871.It’s unfair to ask Oakland fans to care about the up-and-coming players that populate this A’s roster. Team owner John Fisher has, since buying the team in 2005, not only ripped beloved players from them, but is on the precipice of ripping their team right out of Oakland.The new crop of budding core — Zack Gelof, Lawrence Butler, Tyler Soderstrom — labeled themselves “New Oakland,” but a relocation will have them playing anywhere from a minor league stadium in Las Vegas to San Francisco or a desolate Coliseum while a new Las Vegas ballpark is built.The ties between fan and player are already severed beyond repair. Watching the...

Missing Netflix engineer found dead near Golden Gate Bridge

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:55 GMT

(KRON) -- A Netflix engineer who was reported missing last month has been found deceased, according to the Marin County Sheriff's Office. The Marin County Sheriff's Office Coroner Division was contacted by the California Highway Patrol last Tuesday, Aug. 29 at around 11:41 a.m. on a report of an unconscious/unresponsive person in the water of the San Francisco Bay.The body was spotted northeast of the Golden Gate Bridge by a passing boat, according to the sheriff's office. The U.S Coast Guard was notified and responded to the area and located a lifeless male floating in the bay.The subject was recovered from the water and taken to Station Golden Gate in Sausalito where paramedics pronounced him deceased. No resuscitation was provided, due to the subject's physiologic condition, police said. Innocent bystander shot at Lake Merritt in Oakland identified At the time of the death pronouncement, the subject's remains were unidentifiable due to decomposition, exposure to the water and ...

Police standoff with armed suspect near SF high school resolved

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:55 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A road near a high school was blocked off due to a police standoff Wednesday afternoon, the San Francisco Police Department said. Around 12:22 p.m., SFFD responded to a suspect who had a gun inside their vehicle near Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (SHCP) high school. Nick Bosa signs $170M contract extension with 49ers, ends holdout: reports As of 3:45 p.m., the standoff has been resolved. The suspect was removed from their car, and streets in the area have been reopened. No other details were released at this time. Earlier in the afternoon, police negotiated with the suspect near Eddy Street and Franklin Street. Officers were trying to get the suspect to surrender. SHCP students and faculty were been told by SFPD they do not need to shelter in place, according to Dean of Students Mario Sazo. Classes and pickups proceeded as normal. The public was asked to avoid the area. Eddy and Franklin are one block away from SHCP.This story will be updated.

79 years after WWII, Navy sailor to be laid to rest in Monterey County

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:55 GMT

Seventy-nine years after Wilbur A. Mitts was killed during World War II combat operations in the western Pacific Ocean, the Navy sailor will finally be laid to rest in his hometown. The 24-year-old Monterey County man's remains will be buried at Mission Memorial Park in Seaside on September 11 for a public funeral service. Sailors from Navy Reserve Center San Jose will provide full military honors for Petty Officer Mitts.Mitts, U.S. Navy Aviation Radioman First Class, was killed on September 10, 1944 while his crew was flying over enemy military targets on the Palau Islands, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). He was assigned to Navy Torpedo Squadron 20, USS Enterprise. He was a crewman on a TBM-1 Avenger aircraft when it was struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire, and crashed into the ocean.Wilbur A. Mitts (Image courtesy DPAA)"TBM-1 Avenger with a crew of three took off from the USS Enterprise for a strike mission against Japanese forces in the Palau Islands.&nb...

NFL benches Danville native Haener for 6 games for PEDs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:55 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Saints quarterback Jake Haener's rookie season in the NFL is not beginning in the manner he wished. Haener was suspended 6 games by the National Football League for what the league says is a violation of their policy on performance-enhancing substances. The rookie quarterback was a 4th round pick of the Saints out of Fresno State. He attended Monte Vista High School in Danville. Haener, 24, released a statement via his X, formerly known as Twitter, account on Wednesday afternoon. Read the full statement below:I recently learned that I tested positive for a substance banned by the NFL earlier this summer. I still do not know how the substance got into my body, as none of my supplements or prescribed medications contain the banned ingredient. I would never knowlingly cheat the game that I love, however I must take full responsibility for the failed test. I apolgize to the Saints organization, my friends and my family for any distraction this suspension may cause....

Livermore company accused of selling flavored vapes to children

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:55 GMT

LIVERMORE, Calif. (KRON) -- A flavored tobacco company, Apollo Future Technology, is now facing charges from the state alleging a massive illegal flavored tobacco and synthetic cannabis operation. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office says the company sold its Apollo e-cigarettes to young children.Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price held a press conference on Wednesday at the Livermore Valley Chamber of Commerce to discuss the charges filed.  Missing Netflix engineer found dead near Golden Gate Bridge “They used a warehouse as their base of operation to sell flavored e-cigs predominantly to individuals under the age of 21,” said Price. The company is now facing a case against the State of California, alleging Apollo sold its e-cigarettes through its website without verifying the purchasers’ age and illegally shipped its flavored tobacco products through the mail without complying with state requirements.The state also alleges the company manufactured an...