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Humans to blame for about 90% of wildfire ignitions, report finds

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:55:00 GMT

California is no stranger to wildfires. However, a new paper published in the International Journal of Wildland Fire found that the blazes have intensified and humans have played a significant role in igniting the flames.Researchers from 15 universities, including UCLA, looked at wildfire data from 1980 through 2020 and found that wildfires have become larger and more destructive due to various factors, including climate change, fuels left in the forests and ignition sources.“In the state of California, if you look at wildfires, well over 90% of the ignition source has been tracked back to humans,” Glen MacDonald, a geography professor at UCLA and the paper’s lead author, said. When will California experience another drought? Experts aren’t entirely sure “It could be from anything like someone throwing a cigarette out of a car or using machinery that causes a spark. Accidents also happen. People don't properly put out a campfire and with this dry vegetation and hot temperatures, ...

Martinez Refining Company reports second ‘coke dust’ release in less than two weeks

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:55:00 GMT

The Martinez Refining Company reported the second release of ‘coke dust’ in less than two weeks on Saturday afternoon, according to the Contra Costa County Health Department.The health department said that hazmat teams did not immediately find evidence of coke dust in surrounding neighborhoods following the release. Coke dust is a black sooty substance chemically similar to charcoal that is created during the refining process.The refinery first reported the release of coke dust, a byproduct of petroleum refining, at 6:04 p.m.Related ArticlesEnvironment | West Oakland community leaders rally against renewed threat of proposed coal terminal Environment | The impact of drying waterways on Northern California Environment | Jill Biden to travel to Paris to commemorate US rejoining UNESCO after Trump exit Environment | Opinion: Delta mega-tunnel is not the answer to state’s water challenges Environment | Resc...

San Jose teen lands life-changing role in ‘show about death’

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:55:00 GMT

While you have to say the title character’s name three times to call him forth, San Jose teen Isabella Esler only had to go through the audition process twice before landing the role of Lydia Deetz in the North American touring company of “Beetlejuice.” The tour is making a local stop courtesy of Broadway San Jose Aug. 1-6.Esler, 19, first auditioned for the role in the Broadway production while still a senior at Mitty High School in Willow Glen. She made it as far as callbacks, then went to New York City to audition for the touring company.The 2022 Mitty grad says she had no idea what it would be like to go from high school directly to the road.“I wasn’t prepared at all,” she adds. “It’s really fun exploring different cities and finding nice local restaurants.”She was, however, ready to take on her first professional musical theater gig, thanks in part to the experience she got in shows with Children’s Musical Theater San Jose (CMT).“It definitely prepared me for learning to work w...

Short film competition explores ‘Power of Community’ in Cupertino

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:55:00 GMT

Students from Cupertino schools cleaned up in the third annual EmPower Silicon Valley Short Film Competition sponsored by Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE).The Sunnyvale-based green energy aggregator asked local students to make films illustrating the transition to clean energy around the themes “Go Electric” and “The Power of Community.”Lawson Middle School student Ava Hwang won the Energy Impact Award for her film “The Energetic Spirits of Wit.” The award came with  a $3,000 scholarship.Among the entrants who won honorable mention awards of $2,000 each were Kelly Tung from Monta Vista High School and Aaditya Karnataki from Cupertino High School. Kelly won the award for Best Storytelling for “Stronger Together,” and Aaditya took the prize for Best Skit for “Electrification 101.”The EmPower Silicon Valley Competition is an SVCE education initiative. The short films were judged by a panel of SVCE board members and staff members.“Each year I am delighted to see what students come up ...

Three people shot in Oakland

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:55:00 GMT

OAKLAND — Two women and a man were wounded by gunfire Saturday night in the Fruitvale district, authorities said.All of them were in stable condition.The shooting, which caused the activation of a gunshot alert system, happened about 10:38 p.m. Saturday in the 1500 block of 35th Avenue, police said.Responding officers found two women, one 46 and the other 32, and a 26-year-old man with gunshot wounds. Police believe the three know each other. They were taken to a hospital.Authorities said initial reports were that the man had been in a verbal dispute of some kind with several males. As the man and the two women were about to leave the area, someone began shooting at them, hitting all three, authorities said.At least one structure in the area was hit by the gunfire but no other injuries were reported.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Photos: Supporters show up for Oakland ice cream vendor seen being robbed on video Crime and Public Safety | Antioch ...

Chaidez named interim chancellor of San Jose-Evergreen Community College District

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:55:00 GMT

Dr. Beatriz Chaidez began serving as interim chancellor of the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District on July 1. Chaidez moves into the role from her previous position as vice chancellor of human resources for the district.“During her tenure as vice chancellor of human resources, Dr. Chaidez has proven herself to be a steady leader, a creative problem solver and a passionate advocate for students,” district board president Bob Livengood said in a statement.Before joining the district in early 2019, Chaidez held various roles in K-12 administration, including assistant superintendent for human resources with Salinas City Elementary School District, where she also served as director of pupil personnel services and special education. She has also served as an executive board member for both the Association of California School Administrators and the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators. As an adjunct faculty member at San Jose State University, she...

Cupertino residents ready for Citywide Garage Sale

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:55:00 GMT

Citywide Garage SaleRegistration for Cupertino’s annual Citywide Garage Sale runs July 31-Sept. 8. Residents can signal their intent to hold a garage sale as part of the two-day event, set for Sept. 23-24, at cupertino.org/garagesale.Movies in the ParkCreekside Park is hosting screenings of family-friendly movies on Fridays, Aug. 11-Sept. 8, at 8 p.m. There won’t be a screening on Sept. 1 due to the Labor Day holiday weekend.“Big Hero 6” (PG) will play on Aug. 11, “Super Mario Bros” (PG) on Aug. 18, “Finding Dory” (PG) on Aug. 25 and “Jurassic World Dominion” (PG-13) on Sept. 8.Mental health info at libraryThe Santa Clara County Library District is partnering with the County of Santa Clara Health System, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Santa Clara County, and Bay Area Legal Aid (BayLegal) to educate and empower local residents around mental health care through a series of events taking place at district libraries. The goal is to provide crucial information about accessing...

Milpitas-based youth foundation donates seed money for sports

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:55:00 GMT

Seed money for sportsLittle Grass Foundation, a Milpitas-based youth volunteer organization, this month donated $10,000 to the Morgan Autism Center in San Jose for projects like sports facilities and physical education programs for students with autism.The Little Grass Foundation was founded by a group of high school students in 2022. With hundreds of volunteer hours contributed by teenage coaches, the organization has provided more than 450 children from diverse cultural backgrounds the opportunity to participate in sports including basketball, soccer, volleyball and dance. Programs also include enrichment activities such as robotics and chess. Expanding from Milpitas, the foundation now hosts sports camps in San Jose, Fremont and Cupertino.“Our goal is to help children in our community to discover and experience sports and other enrichment programs from an early age for better physical and mental health development,” said foundation president and founder Ivan Zhang, a Milpitas res...

Short film competition explores ‘Power of Community’ in Saratoga

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:55:00 GMT

Students from Prospect High School cleaned up in the third annual EmPower Silicon Valley Short Film Competition sponsored by Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE).The Sunnyvale-based green energy aggregator asked local students to make films illustrating the transition to clean energy around the themes “Go Electric” and “The Power of Community.”Prospect student Calvin Cha won the Energy Innovation Award for his film “Powering the Future: Go Electric.” The award came with a $3,000 scholarship. Making the film required a deep dive into the data behind going electric.“I learned about the actual statistics for electric vehicles or solar energy,” Calvin said in a statement. “I knew about how important they were before, but through this short film I was able to quantify it and see the numbers behind why you should switch to EVs or build solar panels.”Among the entrants who won honorable mention awards of $2,000 each was Prospect’s Reena Boddukuri for Best Documentary Short for “Our Skies.”Th...

Plant-Based Advocates host mental health talk in Los Gatos

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:55:00 GMT

You are what you eatDespite the long days and abundant sunshine in the South Bay, summer can still be a dreary season for some. On Thursday, Aug. 10, the Los Gatos Library is holding an educational event to help residents moderate their moods—through food. Psychiatrist and nutrition instructor Dr. Ulka Agarwal will speak about the potential of plant-based diets to affect mental health as part of the ongoing library speaker series hosted by Plant-Based Advocates.The talk will take place at the Los Gatos Library, 100 Villa Ave., at 5 p.m.Art competitionSubmissions for The Greater Bay Area Open (GBAO), a juried fine-art-only competition and exhibition presented by the Los Gatos Art Association, are open through Friday, Oct 20. The GBAO is designed to promote the fine art and artists of the greater Bay Area, from Sonoma to Monterey. Starting in 2015, the GBAO is now in its fifth showing and is presented biennially at New Museum Los Gatos.All artists are encouraged to interpret the theme...