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Based on Colorado history, Buntport’s “Best Town” is a zany work

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:01:49 GMT

It doesn’t seem fair or smart or particularly nimble to write that the folks at Buntport are at it again. And yet: The folks at Buntport are at it again with their latest original play, “Best Town.” By “it” I mean digging into a big bag of ideas, jokes, images, pop culture knick-knacks and historical archives to craft a witty, intellectually omnivorous bit of business that dares to be silly, too.It’s hard not to detect an echo of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” in the title of this larky, post-pandemic dive into the subjects of loneliness and connection — and, oh yeah, libraries, Olivia Newton-John and Thomas Pynchon. Only the burg here, Kitsault, is an abandoned mining town in Canada, about 17 hours northeast via the Cariboo Highway from Vancouver, B.C.  And its denizens are a goofy little trio of caretakers: groundskeeper Dodge (Brian Colonnacq), interior-buildings steward Stanley (Erik Edborg), and emergency go-to Hilary (Erin Rollman), who has decided to be the town’s v...

Gunfire erupts near graduation ceremony in Banning

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:01:49 GMT

A graduation ceremony in Banning had just ended Wednesday evening when gunfire erupted nearby. The shooting was reported near the intersection of West Westward Avenue and South San Gorgonio Avenue.Witnesses said a suspect in a car drove by another car and opened fire around 5:30 p.m. The Coombs Alternative Education Class of 2023 had just finished its graduation ceremony at the Banning High School Performing Arts Center when the gunfire was heard, the Banning School District posted on its Facebook page Wednesday night.The post stated that the shooting took place following the ceremony and occurred in an adjacent area, not on district property. The Banning Police Department responded to the incident and were conducting an investigation. It was unclear if anyone was struck in the shooting or if any arrests had been made. The motive for the shooting was under investigation.

List: The congressmembers who voted against the debt ceiling bill

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:01:49 GMT

A 314-117 vote Wednesday in the House of Representatives sent to the Senate a  debt ceiling and budget cuts package. It is expected to pass there by week’s end.Below are the representatives who voted against it.RepublicansAlabama: Barry Moore, Dale StrongArizona: Andy Biggs, Eli Crane, Paul Gosar, Debbie LeskoColorado: Ken BuckFlorida: Vern Buchanan, Kat Cammack, Byron Donalds, Matt Gaetz, Anna Paulina Luna, Brian Mast, Cory Mills, Bill Posey, Greg Steube, Mike WaltzGeorgia: Andrew Clyde, Mike Collins, Richard McCormick, Gary PalmerIdaho: Russ FulcherIllinois: Mike Bost, Darin LaHood, Mary MillerIndiana: Victoria SpartzKansas: Tracy MannLouisiana: Clay HigginsMaryland: Andy HarrisMinnesota: Brad Finstad, Michelle FischbachMississippi: Michael GuestMissouri: Mark Alford, Eric BurlisonMontana: Matt Rosendale, Ryan ZinkeNew Jersey: Jeff Van DrewNew York: George SantosNorth Carolina: Dan BishopOklahoma: Josh Brecheen, Kevin HernPennsylvania: Scott PerrySouth Carolina: Russel Fry, ...

Former Santa Clara star Brandin Podziemski believes he could be ‘perfect fit’ for Warriors

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:01:49 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Former Santa Clara star Brandin Podziemski views himself as cross between Donte DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson. Their toughness and competitiveness, he says, mirrors his own desire to prove people wrong.“Guys like to underestimate us and our abilities until it’s proven,” Podziemski said.Podziemski had an opportunity to impress the Warriors Wednesday when he joined five other prospects, including San Jose State guard and Mountain West Player of the Year Omari Moore, at a pre-draft workout at Chase Center.If Podziemski is being honest, the West Coast Conference Newcomer of the Year didn’t think he would be where he is now a year ago. Last May, Podziemski decided to transfer to Santa Clara after an underwhelming freshman season at Illinois, during which he struggled to crack coach Brad Underwood’s rotation for consistent stretches.When Podziemski arrived in Santa Clara, he set out to follow in a similar path as former Broncos star Jalen Willi...

Walters: California transit systems’ pleas for aid haven’t moved the Capitol

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:01:49 GMT

California’s public transit systems say they are facing a “fiscal cliff” as ridership continues to lag behind pre-pandemic levels and federal emergency aid expires.If the state doesn’t cough up billions of dollars to underwrite bus and rail systems – they want $1 billion a year for at least five years – their managers say they will have no choice but to reduce service and/or raise fares, mostly affecting low-income Californians.On Tuesday, transit system leaders, their unions and supportive legislators staged an “emergency press conference” near the Capitol to raise the issue’s profile, as legislative leaders and Gov. Gavin Newsom work on a state budget that must be passed by June 15.“It’s a do or die moment for transit in California,” state Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, said.Transit’s pleas haven’t fared well so far. Newsom’s revised budget this month brushed them off with a vague pledge to work on the problem later.Transit has some support in Assembly and Senate bud...

Bay Area tech layoffs top grim milestone after jobs cuts by Meta, Nuro, others

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:01:49 GMT

The latest disclosures of local layoffs by Facebook owner Meta Platforms, along with recently revealed cutbacks by other companies, have shoved the number of tech job cuts in the Bay Area far beyond a grim milestone.Tech companies have revealed plans to eliminate nearly 25,000 jobs during 2022 and so far in 2023, according to this news organization’s analysis of numerous WARN notices that employers have filed with the state Employment Development Department.Meta Platforms, whose apps include Facebook and Instagram, has reported to state labor officials that it has decided to chop 1,125 jobs in the Bay Area.These are the details of the most recent layoffs by Meta Platforms and the number of employees affected by the staffing reductions in each city.Menlo Park, 528 job cutsSan Francisco, 311 layoffsSunnyvale, 169 staff reductionsFremont, 117 job cutsThe layoffs by Meta Platforms are slated to take effect on or around July 28 of this year, the WARN notices show.These layoffs appe...

Kim Cattrall will indeed reprise the role of Samantha Jones in ‘Sex and the City’ reboot

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:01:49 GMT

By Chloe Melas | CNNBuckle up, “Sex and the City” fans, because Kim Cattrall is finally back.A spokesperson for HBO/Max confirmed to CNN that Cattrall filmed a scene as Samantha Jones in March for the hit show’s continuation series “And Just Like That…”. Like CNN, HBO is part of parent company Warner Bros. Discovery.The New York Post was first to report the news.This is a major turn of events given that Cattrall, who played the sex-positive, powerful publicist Jones in “Sex and the City” for six seasons and two movies, famously did not appear in the first season of the reboot.“It’s odd, isn’t it? I don’t know how to feel about it,” Cattrall said of how Samantha’s absence was explained in the new series. “It’s so finite for me, so it doesn’t continue. This feels like an echo of the past.”CNN has reached out to a representative for Cattrall for comment on her decision to appear in the series’ second season.According to Wednesday’s reports, Cattrall’s cameo was filmed in secrecy in Mar...

Opinion: California must realign its priorities for water usage

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:01:49 GMT

The massive snowpack in the Sierras looming over California’s Central Valley has shifted the state’s water focus from years-long drought to the threat of devastating flooding. But both of these seemingly opposite perils have a common origin and mandate a common solution. To achieve water stability and sustainability, the state must realign its priorities by putting people and communities over the profiteering industries that are driving the water and climate crisis.For the last 20 years, California has been mired in a historic dry period, punctuated by a few short bursts of strong storms and heavy precipitation. This winter’s deluge is consistent with that pattern, one which scientists predict will become more extreme as climate change accelerates — longer droughts and increasingly severe storms.Our water crisis is inextricably tied to climate change, which is ironically being driven by two industries very familiar to California: fossil fuels and industrial agriculture.The sci...

Four-bedroom home sells in San Jose for $1.6 million

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:01:49 GMT

340 Viscaino Way – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 300 block of Viscaino Way in San Jose has new owners. The 2,124-square-foot property, built in 1972, was sold on May 2, 2023. The $1,610,000 purchase price works out to $758 per square foot. The property features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a garage. There’s also a pool in the backyard and two parking spaces. The unit sits on a 7,000-square-foot lot.These nearby houses have also recently been sold:A 2,186-square-foot home on the 300 block of Alric Court in San Jose sold in April 2023, for $1,515,000, a price per square foot of $693. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Alric Court, San Jose, in September 2022, a 1,475-square-foot home was sold for $1,780,000, a price per square foot of $1,207. The home has 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In November 2022, a 2,124-square-foot home on Viscaino Way in San Jose sold for $1,520,000, a price per square foot of $716. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

Santa Rosa man arrested for shooting with ghost gun, DUI

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:01:49 GMT

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KRON) – A man was arrested by police for driving under the influence and possession of a ghost gun following a shooting Tuesday evening, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department.Just before 6 p.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 2800 block of Dutton Meadow. A man had knocked on the door of his previous residence, however the home resident did not answer the door, police said. 4-year-old girl injured in Oakland shooting The resident heard a gunshot outside his home and the suspect fled into his silver BMW sedan. The resident identified the suspect, Jesus Villicana-Hernandez, who was his recent roommate, SRPD said. Police located a single 9mm round outside the residence which appeared to have been shot in the air due to no visible damages on the property. Officers later located the 28-year-old driving in the 1300 block of Guerneville Road and placed him in custody, police said.A search of the suspect’s vehicle revealed a 9mm unregis...