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Debut novel “Shameful Prowess” by Charlee Rae Valentine inspires confidence and self-reliance through an autobiographical story of secrecy and seduction

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:19:51 GMT

First-time author Charlee Rae Valentine has lived an uncommon life. Writing under a pseudonym to protect her identity – as well as the identities of others – Valentine’s autobiographical novel “Shameful Prowess” delves into her real-life experiences with seduction, manipulation, and the intoxicating power of social status.Through fictionalized accounts of actual events, Valentine tells the story of her tumultuous life, from humble beginnings in an impoverished small town to mingling with social elites, finding the confidence to wield her innate manipulation powers, and questioning the lifestyle that brought her everything she thought she wanted.Spanning romance, comedy, tragedy, and shocking moments of coercion and manipulation, the novel’s vivid characters and detailed descriptions spark each moment into life. Readers are along for the ride as an ambitious young Charlee embraces how her vivacious looks and personality can hold sway over powerful men, bringing her closer to the life...

Four-bedroom home in Milpitas sells for $3.1 million

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:19:51 GMT

2187 Fieldcrest Drive – Google Street ViewA 3,389-square-foot house built in 1988 has changed hands. The spacious property located in the 2100 block of Fieldcrest Drive in Milpitas was sold on Sept. 25, 2023. The $3,126,500 purchase price works out to $923 per square foot. This two-story house offers a capacious living environment with its four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Additionally, the home includes a two-car garage.These nearby houses have also recently been purchased:On Incline Court, Milpitas, in September 2023, a 3,389-square-foot home was sold for $3,000,000, a price per square foot of $885. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In November 2022, a 2,048-square-foot home on Cresthaven Street in Milpitas sold for $1,620,000, a price per square foot of $791. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 1,953-square-foot home on the 2200 block of Pinard Street in Milpitas sold in September 2022, for $1,575,000, a price per square foot of $806. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 ba...

What to play: Mario, Sonic and Spider-Man highlight a packed week in gaming

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:19:51 GMT

It feels like the 1990s, during the days of Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. Within a week, gamers saw two icons of the era return to their side-scrolling roots. “Super Mario Bros. Wonder” and “Sonic Superstars” have brought a major dose of nostalgia and reminded players that 2-D gaming still has plenty of fun in the age of open-world adventures and virtual reality.Also, let’s also not forget that Sony’s flagship title for the holidays, “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2,” also launched to rave reviews. It does a remarkable job of creating two protagonists, both of whom feel central and important to a long campaign.With that said, here’s a look at the three games you should be playing this weekend:“Super Mario Bros. Wonder” — Mario and company’s first brand new 2-D adventure in more than a decade proves once again that Nintendo is a master of the genre, and that it can still surprise and delight players.Featurin...

Man charged with possessing more than $300,000 worth of cocaine, some stored near children in San Leandro home

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:19:51 GMT

SAN LEANDRO — A man has been charged with multiple crimes after almost 15 kilograms of cocaine — worth more than $300,000 — were found inside a residence here, some of it stored in close proximity to young children, according to authorities and court documents.Alfredo Moran-Perez, 29, was charged Monday with possession for sale of a controlled substance, child abuse and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with a firearm.According to court documents, he has admitted possessing and selling cocaine.He was arrested Oct. 12 and is being held in lieu of $1.25 million bail at Santa Rita Jail, a number set by a judge after prosecutors objected to his request to be released on his own recognizance during a court appearance Tuesday.Moran-Perez is scheduled to enter a plea Oct. 26 and could face more than 24 years in prison if convicted.He was arrested after the Alameda County Narcotics Task Force served a search warrant at a home on Sweetwater Drive in San Leandro, where ...

De La Salle defensive line coach Steve Jacoby dies suddenly

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:19:51 GMT

CONCORD — The De La Salle football team sang Happy Birthday to defensive line coach Steve Jacoby on Tuesday, a memory that head coach Justin Alumbaugh said on Friday will never be forgotten.Jacoby, 61, died suddenly on Thursday, leaving the De La Salle community in a state of shock.The coaches met Thursday after learning of Jacoby’s passing and broke the news to the team on Friday morning.They left it up to the players whether to cancel Friday night’s home game against El Cerrito.The players elected to play because, as Alumbaugh said, that is what their defensive line coach would have wanted.“He would want to kill me if I didn’t let the kids play,” Alumbaugh said. “We wanted to provide the opportunity for them to play but also be understanding with what’s going on. I spoke honestly with them. I said, ‘I know my friend would want me to go out.’“It’s going to be sad and hard. But they’re young men. They̵...

BART service suspended on Red Line due to person on trackway

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:19:51 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Service on BART's Red Line has been temporarily suspended in all directions due to a person on the trackway and police at the Berkeley Station Friday afternoon, according to a tweet from BART. 2 California Hells Angels sentenced to prison in case involving murder, illegal cremation Earlier, service had been delayed for 20 minutes, prior to being suspended. BART is advising Richmond and Berkeley riders heading toward SF to take the Orange Line and transfer at MacArthur.Riders heading from SF to Richmond/Berkeley are advised to take the Yellow Line and transfer at 19th Street Oakland. The transit system did not specify how long trains would be delayed. No other details were immediately available.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Photos: Oakland Zoo welcomes new baby giraffe

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:19:51 GMT

(KRON) -- The Oakland Zoo welcomed a new resident this week. The zoo's giraffe herd is celebrating the arrival of a new baby giraffe that was given birth to Thursday. The giraffe calf is the first giraffe born at the zoo in 11 years, according to zoo officials. After a lengthy pregnancy -- giraffes have a gestation period of 14-16 months -- the calf's mother Kijiji gave birth in the giraffe habitat. The new calf, a female that zoo officials have named Kendi, weighed 150 pounds and is already 6 foot, five inches tall. Home Depot employee allegedly embezzled $1.2m in cash: San Rafael PD "Kendi" means "loved one" in Swahili, in what the zoo says is an homage to the language spoken in Kenya, where giraffes dwell in the wild.Kendi's mother Kijiji has reportedly already shown her protective, motherly side by guiding the calf into the giraffe barn, zoo officials said. Zoo keepers have set up a separate area in the barn for the calf and mother to bond.Kendi is already on her feet, standin...

Home Depot employee allegedly embezzled $1.2M in cash: San Rafael PD

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:19:51 GMT

(KRON) -- A San Rafael Home Depot employee was arrested after the home improvement retail store alleged she embezzled approximately $1.2 million over the past year, according to the San Rafael Police Department.Home Depot’s internal investigation revealed the female employee allegedly started taking cash from the retail store starting in August 2022, and reported it to San Rafael police on Oct. 17, 2023. At the time of arrest, San Rafael PD said the employee had over $8,000 in her possession. Two women arrested for stealing $1,900 of merchandise at Great Mall in Milpitas A search warrant served at the employee’s residence uncovered a small amount of cash and a “high volume” of designer merchandise, which police investigators believe was purchased with the embezzled funds, San Rafael PD said.Police said the employee admitted to taking cash from the business since last year.SRPD booked the employee into Marin County Jail for felony embezzlement charges, police said. Detectives added...

Barbie movie screening coming to Oracle Park in SF

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:19:51 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Can't get enough of Barbie? Luckily for fans of the box office hit film, you have another opportunity to see "Barbie" on the big screen -- literally. Barbie is coming to Oracle Park on Friday, Oct. 27, the baseball stadium announced. A movie screening at the San Francisco Giants' home ballpark will begin at 7:15 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. Drake wants to give you a free Dave’s Hot Chicken sandwich: Here’s how Tickets are $24 dollars (before fees), and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis there. Attendees have options to either sit on the baseball field or in the lower box. The movie will be shown at Oracle Park's 4K scoreboard, which is bigger than an IMAX screen, the venue said. There will be Barbie-themed food and beverages for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as Barbie characters such as Barbie, Ken or Allan. Prizes will be given to the best costumes -- just in time for a costume contest as Halloween is days away. You can p...

Federal judge again rules that California's ban on assault weapons is unconstitutional

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:19:51 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A federal judge who previously overturned California's three-decade-old ban on assault weapons did it again on Thursday, ruling that the state's attempts to prohibit sales of semiautomatic guns violates the constitutional right to bear arms.U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez of San Diego conceded that powerful weapons like AR-15 rifles are commonly used by criminals, but said the guns are importantly also owned by people who obey the law and feel they need firearms to protect themselves.“The State of California posits that its ‘assault weapon’ ban, the law challenged here, promotes an important public interest of disarming some mass shooters even though it makes criminals of law-abiding residents who insist on acquiring these firearms for self-defense,” Benitez wrote. “Nevertheless, more than that is required to uphold a ban.” 2 California Hells Angels sentenced to prison in case involving murder, illegal cremation The judge's ruling is nearly identical to a 2...