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SF retail and car theft down 75% since last Thanksgiving, police say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:35 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Crime is on the decline in San Francisco. According to the city’s police chief, retail thefts and car break-ins were significantly lower for Thanksgiving compared to the same time last year. San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said the number one reason criminals were stopped in their tracks is because of Blitz operations -- officers waiting for criminals at businesses that are commonly targeted for crime. 14-year-old girl arrested in connection to 15 SF retail thefts, $30K loss It’s been two years since the first wave of brazen smash-and-grabs at San Francisco’s Union Square. The thefts decreased in 2022, but according to Scott, the numbers are even more promising this year.He says retail thefts and car break-ins decreased more than 75% during Thanksgiving and the busy shopping weekend that followed.“A lot of our work has been through what we have coined as our Blitz Operations,” Scott said.The Blitz is made up of police officers in and out of uniform pa...

Video: Coyote diverted off I-280 Tuesday morning

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:35 GMT

(BCN) -- Animal control officers aren't usually tasked with traffic duties, but on Thursday they managed to safely reroute a wily coyote that had somehow found itself on a freeway in San Francisco. San Francisco Animal Care and Control received a report in the morning of a coyote hiding behind yellow sand barrels to the side of southbound Interstate Highway 280 near Mission Bay. How many of these In-N-Out secret menu items do you know? With a little help from California Highway Patrol and police officers, the coyote was escorted off the freeway safely, an animal control spokesperson said. "The coyote was healthy and unharmed, just a little tired," said the spokesperson. SF Animal Care and Control said that they are always there to assist coyotes that may need a helping hand. The department estimates that there are at least 100 coyotes that live in the city. Anyone can call emergency dispatch at (415) 554-9400 to report an animal.Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

Spurs rookie Wembanyama playing against Hawks after status in question with hip tightness

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:35 GMT

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama will play for the Spurs on Thursday night against the Atlanta Hawks after being listed as questionable with a sore hip.San Antonio initially listed the No. 1 pick from France as questionable with right hip tightness Wednesday afternoon and his status was still in question 90 minutes before tipoff against Atlanta.“All these guys want to play every night,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Wembanyama’s desire to play.The Spurs were hoping Wembanyama could help them snap a 12-game losing streak. Atlanta has lost two straight and six of 10.Wembanyama has played every game of his rookie season. He is averaging 19.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.6 blocks and 1.3 steals while playing 30.1 minutes per game.Wembanyama’s availability puts his status in question for Friday’s game in New Orleans in the second game of a back-to-back.“Well, if he’s questionable tonight, the back-to-back would make us think about (his availability) pretty seriously,” Po...

Chase Elliott salvages most popular driver award in worst season of his NASCAR career

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:35 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chase Elliott overcame the worst season of his career to maintain his hold on the NASCAR most popular driver award for the sixth consecutive year.Elliott missed seven races this season, failed to make the playoffs and wasn’t required to attend Thursday night’s season-ending awards ceremony at the Music City Center. But he showed to pick up the only award solely voted on by fans. Elliott beat new NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson in the voting, per results released by the National Motorsports Press Association. Bill Elliott, father of the 2020 Cup champion and a NASCAR Hall of Famer, won the most popular driver award a record 16 times before “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville,” Georgia, removed his name from the ballot. “Really this award, in my eyes has been a reflection and an extension of my family’s place in the sport,” Elliott said. “I recognize my spot in line and recognize what they’ve done. Th...

Ferry operators around the country to receive $220M in federal grants to modernize fleets

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:35 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Biden administration will issue $220 million in grants to modernize the country’s ferry systems, officials announced Thursday. The grant program will focus on expanding ferry service in rural communities, helping them acquire modern ferries, including electric boats, and upgrading shore infrastructure to support low-emission ferry service, officials said. Twelve ferry operators in the territory of American Somoa and the states of California, Washington, Alaska, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and North Carolina will receive grants, said Nuria Fernandez, administrator of the Federal Transit Administration. The grants “will help transit agencies around the country buy and retrofit vessels, upgrade terminals and modernize equipment,” she said during a news conference at San Francisco’s Ferry Building. The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority and the Golden Gate Ferry will receive about $22 million to retrofit t...

Latest Palestinian prisoners released by Israel under truce arrive in West Bank city of Ramallah

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:35 GMT

A man smiles as he is welcomed after being released from prison by Israel, in the West Bank town of Ramallah, early Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. International mediators on Wednesday worked to extend the truce in Gaza, encouraging Hamas militants to keep freeing hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and further relief from Israel's air and ground offensive. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)(AP/Nasser Nasser) A man smiles as he is welcomed after being released from prison by Israel, in the West Bank town of Ramallah, early Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. International mediators on Wednesday worked to extend the truce in Gaza, encouraging Hamas militants to keep freeing hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and further relief from Israel's...

El primer Metro de Ecuador entra en funcionamiento: ¿cómo arranca su operatividad y cómo usar el nuevo transporte de Quito?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:35 GMT

(CNN Español) –– Más de 10 años tuvieron que esperar los ecuatorianos para que el primer sistema de metro del país comience a funcionar. El Metro de Quito arrancó su operación comercial este 1 de diciembre en medio de la expectativa de usuarios y autoridades sobre los resultados de la que promete ser una de las obras estratégicas de movilidad más importantes en su historia.Muchos ciudadanos están emocionados por la puesta en marcha de manera oficial de los trenes del metro. CNN recorrió andenes, taquillas y estaciones de este medio de transporte público para conocer la percepción de los usuarios y, aunque todos confiesan que verlo funcionando ha requerido mucha paciencia, están conscientes del cambio que producirá en la ciudad.“Esperamos que la ciudadanía y todos cuidemos las instalaciones. Se ve que está bonito y va a ayudar mucho a la ciudad. Creo que es cumplir con la ciudad, cumplir con la descongestión vehicular, entonces estoy como ciudadano muy feliz por aportar y ayuda...

Saints QB Derek Carr under increasing scrutiny as the Lions invade the Superdome

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:35 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Saints’ sizeable investment in Derek Carr is looking more like a liability lately. New Orleans has struggled to finish promising drives in the end zone — something that likely needs to change if the Saints (5-6) are to keep up with the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (8-3) in the Superdome on Sunday.“It’s something that we’re working on,” Carr said this week. “Everyone wants an answer, or has an answer for us, but we’re going to keep working on it here.”“It hasn’t been what we want it to be up to this point,” Carr added, “but we still have time.”Even with their losing record, the Saints are tied for first place in the anemic NFC South with Atlanta (5-6).Reeling in Carr in free agency was New Orleans’ top priority last offseason. Saints coach Dennis Allen was the Raiders’ coach when that franchise drafted Carr, only to get fired during the QB’s rookie season.The Saints were hoping Carr — whom the Saints signed to a four-year contract wor...

Baylor hires Jake Spavital as offensive coordinator as he returns to Texas after a year at Cal

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:35 GMT

WACO, Texas (AP) — Jake Spavital is leaving California after one season to become offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Baylor, where head coach and defensive specialist Dave Aranda was retained after a 3-9 season. Aranda, who is 23-25 in his four seasons, announced Spavital’s hiring Thursday. That came four days after offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes was fired by the Bears after three seasons in that role.Spavital is coming off his second one-year stint as offensive coordinator at Cal, where he also was in 2016. He began his coaching career as West Virginia’s quarterbacks coach from 2011-12, then went to Texas A&M as offensive coordinator/QBs coach for three seasons. His first departure from Cal came to return to West Virginia at OC from 2017-18 before four seasons as head coach at FBS team Texas State. “I am excited to get back to Texas and thankful for the opportunity to work with Dave and his staff,” Spavital said. “I’ve admired Dave from afar for quit...

Polis calls for local property tax relief

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:35 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — A little more than a week after state lawmakers adjourned from a special session on property taxes, Gov. Jared Polis is asking local governments to take up the call.Polis said state lawmakers did what they could to deliver immediate relief this year. He wants local governments to pass their own form of relief in a short amount of time."It's time for them to look at what the state did and say, 'Look, what can we do? Because we also live in our community. We also want our community to be affordable.' They also pay property taxes," Polis said of local government leaders.Polis is asking local governments to continue the work the state did on property taxes. Boulder women plead guilty in fentanyl death linked to Mexico pharmacy In a letter, the governor called on local governments to reduce their mill levies and work on property tax relief at the local level. The letter comes a little a week after the governor signed a law to slightly reduce residential property taxes t...