OAKLAND — Two months before 36 people died in the Ghost Ship fire, an Oakland Fire Department employee entered the warehouse and observed exposed electrical wiring, recommending tenants fix the hazard, according to an amended lawsuit filed Wednesday by attorneys representing victim families.The 179-page amended lawsuit adds the city of Oakland, Alameda County and state of California to a growing list of defendents, and alleges the agencies failed in their duties to shut down the crowded fire trap and its illegal parties.There are a few new details including in the complaint, although much...…OAKLAND — Two months before 36 people died in the Ghost Ship fire, an Oakland Fire Department employee entered the warehouse and observed exposed electrical wiring, recommending tenants fix the hazard, according to an amended lawsuit filed Wednesday by attorneys representing victim families.The 179-page amended lawsuit adds the city of Oakland, Alameda County and state of California to a growing list of defendents, and alleges the agencies failed in their duties to shut down the crowded fire trap and its illegal parties.There are a few new details including in the complaint, although much...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Bay Area News GroupCalifornia’s finance department on Thursday put the economic damage of the coronavirus pandemic in stark relief, forecasting a staggering $54.3 billion hole in the state budget that’s nearly three and a half times the size of California’s “rainy day” emergency reserves.The massive deficit marks a historic turnaround from the multi-billion dollar surplus expected at the beginning of the year, when California and the rest of the country rode high in an economy firing on all cylinders.Gov. Gavin...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Bay Area News GroupCalifornia’s finance department on Thursday put the economic damage of the coronavirus pandemic in stark relief, forecasting a staggering $54.3 billion hole in the state budget that’s nearly three and a half times the size of California’s “rainy day” emergency reserves.The massive deficit marks a historic turnaround from the multi-billion dollar surplus expected at the beginning of the year, when California and the rest of the country rode high in an economy firing on all cylinders.Gov. Gavin...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Bay Area News GroupIn a shift that significantly expands public access to some of California’s most scenic places, parking lots at half of California’s 280 state parks, beaches and historic sites have now reopened after being closed for more than two months due to the coronavirus pandemic.Meanwhile, several high profile state parks that had been completely closed also have reopened in recent days, including Big Basin Redwoods and Castle Rock in the Santa Cruz Mountains, which began welcoming visitors again on...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Bay Area News GroupIn a shift that significantly expands public access to some of California’s most scenic places, parking lots at half of California’s 280 state parks, beaches and historic sites have now reopened after being closed for more than two months due to the coronavirus pandemic.Meanwhile, several high profile state parks that had been completely closed also have reopened in recent days, including Big Basin Redwoods and Castle Rock in the Santa Cruz Mountains, which began welcoming visitors again on...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Bay Area News GroupFREMONT — Bay Area employers have issued official notices for more than 100,000 layoffs or furloughs in eight weeks — even as workers still are unable to reach the state labor agency to process unemployment claims — a reminder of the grim economic effects spawned by coronavirus-linked shutdowns.Since government-imposed lockdowns of businesses began in mid-March, Bay Area employers reported to the state’s Employment Development Department plans for 114,376 layoffs, this news organization’s...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Bay Area News GroupFREMONT — Bay Area employers have issued official notices for more than 100,000 layoffs or furloughs in eight weeks — even as workers still are unable to reach the state labor agency to process unemployment claims — a reminder of the grim economic effects spawned by coronavirus-linked shutdowns.Since government-imposed lockdowns of businesses began in mid-March, Bay Area employers reported to the state’s Employment Development Department plans for 114,376 layoffs, this news organization’s...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Bay Area News GroupAs Northern California wineries begin reopening, some have started offering outdoor wine and food experiences, with social distancing protocols in place, while others are continuing their virtual tastings. Here’s just a sampling of possibilities, including several virtual wine tasting options for areas where non-essential travel remains restricted.Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens: This Sonoma County winery, which reopened on Sunday, is offering four-course food and wine pairings ($70 per...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Bay Area News GroupAs Northern California wineries begin reopening, some have started offering outdoor wine and food experiences, with social distancing protocols in place, while others are continuing their virtual tastings. Here’s just a sampling of possibilities, including several virtual wine tasting options for areas where non-essential travel remains restricted.Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens: This Sonoma County winery, which reopened on Sunday, is offering four-course food and wine pairings ($70 per...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Bay Area News GroupEight more Department of Motor Vehicles offices will open Thursday in the Bay Area as 46 field offices resume operations around the state.After closing all field offices when Gov. Gavin Newsom initially issued a statewide stay-at-home order, the California DMV had reopened 25 offices on May 8, including five Bay Area locations.On Thursday at 8 a.m., DMV offices in Daly City, Fairfield, Fremont, Pittsburgh, Pleasanton, San Mateo, Santa Clara and at the Oakland Coliseum will open for customers...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Bay Area News GroupEight more Department of Motor Vehicles offices will open Thursday in the Bay Area as 46 field offices resume operations around the state.After closing all field offices when Gov. Gavin Newsom initially issued a statewide stay-at-home order, the California DMV had reopened 25 offices on May 8, including five Bay Area locations.On Thursday at 8 a.m., DMV offices in Daly City, Fairfield, Fremont, Pittsburgh, Pleasanton, San Mateo, Santa Clara and at the Oakland Coliseum will open for customers...WW…

MILPITAS — Residents of Milpitas and North San Jose who’ve pined for Pizza Parlano, jonesed for a Joe-Joe’s cream sandwich cookie, and craved Chili & Lime Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips, will finally be indulged.Trader Joe’s will be opening a store in Milpitas, the company confirmed this week.“We are planning to bring a Trader Joe’s store to the area and we’re looking forward to beinga part of the neighborhood,” Kenya Friend-Daniel, a company spokeswoman said in an email Thursday.While the company wouldn’t confirm a location or an expected time frame for opening the store, rumors started...…MILPITAS — Residents of Milpitas and North San Jose who’ve pined for Pizza Parlano, jonesed for a Joe-Joe’s cream sandwich cookie, and craved Chili & Lime Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips, will finally be indulged.Trader Joe’s will be opening a store in Milpitas, the company confirmed this week.“We are planning to bring a Trader Joe’s store to the area and we’re looking forward to beinga part of the neighborhood,” Kenya Friend-Daniel, a company spokeswoman said in an email Thursday.While the company wouldn’t confirm a location or an expected time frame for opening the store, rumors started...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | Mercury News, Bay Area News GroupMatt Cain has talked openly of his lifelong dream of throwing a perfect game. It’s no longer just a dream.Cain threw the first perfect game in the Giants’ long and storied history Wednesday night at AT&T Park, striking out 14 and getting great defensive plays from outfielders Melky Cabrera and Gregor Blanco in a 10-0 victory over the Houston Astros.Cain, the longest-tenured Giant, has been through it all in his eight seasons in San Francisco. He has seen highs — a World Series title...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | Mercury News, Bay Area News GroupMatt Cain has talked openly of his lifelong dream of throwing a perfect game. It’s no longer just a dream.Cain threw the first perfect game in the Giants’ long and storied history Wednesday night at AT&T Park, striking out 14 and getting great defensive plays from outfielders Melky Cabrera and Gregor Blanco in a 10-0 victory over the Houston Astros.Cain, the longest-tenured Giant, has been through it all in his eight seasons in San Francisco. He has seen highs — a World Series title...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XShow Caption of By | | Bay Area News GroupSAN JOSE — An affordable housing tower is being planned on a prominent site in downtown San Jose, fresh evidence that coronavirus economic woes and worries haven’t been able to choke off real estate entrepreneurs.Developers have proposed a 30-story residential tower in the hip SoFA district of downtown San Jose, saying the project would sprout near the corner of South Second Street and East Reed Street.“We are really excited about this,” said Kurt Anderson, principal executive...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XShow Caption of By | | Bay Area News GroupSAN JOSE — An affordable housing tower is being planned on a prominent site in downtown San Jose, fresh evidence that coronavirus economic woes and worries haven’t been able to choke off real estate entrepreneurs.Developers have proposed a 30-story residential tower in the hip SoFA district of downtown San Jose, saying the project would sprout near the corner of South Second Street and East Reed Street.“We are really excited about this,” said Kurt Anderson, principal executive...WW…

By | | Bay Area News GroupDemocratic lawmakers in the State Assembly announced a probe into California’s oil and gas market on Monday, saying profiteering in the industry is partially behind the state’s record high gas prices that are hovering around $6.40 a gallon.The oil industry has a “foot on our necks and a hand in our pockets,” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said during a news conference announcing a committee to investigate the industry’s pricing practices.“These are companies that are obviously ripping off California consumers, and we need to ask tough questions about them and...…By | | Bay Area News GroupDemocratic lawmakers in the State Assembly announced a probe into California’s oil and gas market on Monday, saying profiteering in the industry is partially behind the state’s record high gas prices that are hovering around $6.40 a gallon.The oil industry has a “foot on our necks and a hand in our pockets,” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said during a news conference announcing a committee to investigate the industry’s pricing practices.“These are companies that are obviously ripping off California consumers, and we need to ask tough questions about them and...WW…